Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Mental Wealth

jjbeshara.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 262 posts

Re: Mental Wealth

#11

Post by logicchains »

sneak wrote: post #6
logicchains wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>working for social and environmental justice In my experience focusing on political causes of any kind is not a great path to happiness, as it almost inevitably results in anger, frustration or sadness at the state of the world.

I think that you will find that directly helping those around you who are in need is a lot more beneficial to your well-being than you might believe otherwise.

The poster I was replying to used the phrase "working for social and environmental justice". My understanding of that phrase is that it refers to trying to bring about political change, which can be a stressful experience.

Re: Mental Wealth

#12

Post by kiba »

logicchains wrote: post #11
sneak wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think that you will find that directly helping those around you who are in need is a lot more beneficial to your well-being than you might believe otherwise.

The poster I was replying to used the phrase "working for social and environmental justice". My understanding of that phrase is that it refers to trying to bring about political change, which can be a stressful experience.

It seems to me that there are was to do social changes that aren't necessarily stressful, like helping to provide or deliver food to the homeless.

Re: Mental Wealth

#13

Post by glaberficken »

I think the author is mistaking cause with effect.

When the things mentioned (Sleep, Diet, Exercise, Stress Management, Exogenous Compounds) go out of balance, that "unbalancing" may well be a symptom (consequence) of the mental issue and not the cause as is implied in the article.

You can invest all you want decades in advance in creating balanced habits in those areas and still be disrupted down the line with negative mental health events.

Re: Mental Wealth

#14

Post by glutamate »

andi999 wrote: post #4
glutamate wrote: post #2

I really don't think the best way of building up mental health reserves is to approach this thinking like an entrepreneur or an investor. To be honest that sounds like the broken record that is the Silicon Valley or general capitalism BS machine. Instead, I would advocate participating in communities, working for social and environmental justice, volunteering and acting in a spirit of generosity that is directed away…

I agree fully, except you shouldnt work for social and environmental justice, but social and environmental improvement instead.

What is the difference, to you? To me, working for improvement can too easily become redirected towards self-aggrandisement. I did this, I accomplished this. Working for justice implies that laws and rights, natural or human-made, are being denied and broken.

Re: Mental Wealth

#15

Post by logicchains »

kiba wrote: post #12
logicchains wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The poster I was replying to used the phrase "working for social and environmental justice". My understanding of that phrase is that it refers to trying to bring about political change, which can be a stressful experience.

It seems to me that there are was to do social changes that aren't necessarily stressful, like helping to provide or deliver food to the homeless.

I definitely agree if somebody wants to do stuff like volunteering, that would probably be good for their mental health.

Re: Mental Wealth

#16

Post by glutamate »

logicchains wrote: post #10
glutamate wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The goal is not happiness; the goal is liberation.

The goal the article is referring to is improving mental health. Is a consistently unhappy person considered mentally healthy?

If I worked for my own happiness, how would I look at myself in the mirror knowing that my happiness is based on an unsustainable lifestyle? How can I be happy knowing that that my sisters can't get three square meals a day and my brothers can't breathe?

Re: Mental Wealth

#17

Post by axegon_ »

Genuine question: how would someone define "mental health" or be able to determine if someone is mentally healthy? Even for myself, I really have no clue whether I'm mentally healthy or not.

Re: Mental Wealth

#18

Post by fellow_human »

I only skim read the article, but I think it's missing a key section which is "strong relationships". Having the right people around you and having a sense of connection with those people can have a dramatically positive effect on your well-being. Aside from that I agree that it's good to invest in your mental health like you would physical. Definately take the time out to learn how to look after your own mental well-being and you will probably see benefits translate to all areas of your life.

Re: Mental Wealth

#19

Post by logicchains »

alltakendamned wrote: post #8

It always surprises me how little value is given to positive human relationships and community when considering mental well-being. It's in my opinion the second most important thing after sleep.

It's harder advice to give. Trying to wake up at the same time every day and not drink coffee before bed is, at least in theory, something anybody could do without too much difficulty. Going out and making more friends, getting more involved in the community, is a scarier idea to propose, especially if somebody already has some kind of social anxiety.

Re: Mental Wealth

#20

Post by frequentnapper »

I wouldn't put much stock in Ayurveda or even worse, Traditional Chinese Medicine, except some of the treatments which have been proven to work. There's a reason why western medicine is superior - it follows evidence-based modern scientific and research principles, not hogwash.
Post reply on HN