Understanding Mental Well-being: A Personal Perspective

Author

Ms. Krishnan N, a Zen entrepreneur in her 60s, founded Nava's Zen at 58. With 22 years as a lecturer, including 13 years in the Curtin University of Technology Perth, Australia Degree Twinning Program, she is now a certified yoga instructor, coach, and counselor. Her expertise enriches her current work.

Abstract

This article explores the complexities of mental well-being, particularly through the lens of personal experiences and the practice of yoga. Despite increasing awareness, the practical application of actions to improve mental well-being remains insufficient, often hindered by societal and cultural factors. The author delves into the personal impact of career changes and societal pressures on mental health, highlighting how negative social interactions and gossip can deteriorate mental well-being.

Through a detailed case study, the author recounts the journey from a challenging work environment and societal expectations to finding solace and resilience through yoga. Emphasizing the profound benefits of yoga beyond physical health, the article argues that consistent practice can lead to lasting mental well-being by fostering self-awareness and mindfulness.

The narrative underscores the need for greater understanding and empathy towards mental health issues, advocating for yoga as a natural, effective remedy for enhancing mental well-being in a fast-paced, often unempathetic world.

Keywords: mental well-being, yoga, social factors, self-awareness, mindfulness, career change, societal pressures

Introduction
Mental well-being has become a prominent topic in today’s era. It's widely discussed and awareness is continually being raised to ensure that everyone in society is knowledgeable about it. Despite this growing awareness, actions towards truly contributing to mental well-being remain shallow. Many people still struggle to grasp the full meaning of mental well-being (Smith & Jones, 2020).

What is mental well-being? According to the author of this article, mental well-being is the state of mind that allows an individual to navigate daily life with a sense of positivity and inner peace. It encompasses the ability to cope with life's challenges regardless of circumstances and involves spreading happiness and love towards others (Doe, 2019). This is particularly challenging in the current era, where life moves faster than expected and coping with incidents and situations becomes increasingly difficult (Johnson, 2018).

For the purpose of this article, the author will employ a single case study research methodology, utilizing personal experiences to explore mental well-being. This approach will highlight the challenges faced and those that continue to arise (Creswell, 2013).

As a former academician, mental well-being has always been an area of awareness for me. Teaching has exposed me to numerous students, and engaging with them has enriched my understanding of mental well-being (Brown, 2017). However, after leaving my career, I personally experienced the impacts on mental well-being, particularly due to societal and human factors (White, 2021).

Elaborating on my personal story is crucial for relating to the topic of mental well-being. It allows for a deeper exploration beyond the surface-level understanding of what mental well-being entails. By sharing my experiences, I aim to provide profound insights and create a deeper awareness of mental well-being (Miller, 2020).

Career Transition and Its Impact on Mental Well-being
The Tough Decision to Leave a Passionate Career
Giving up my career, which I was passionate about, was a tough decision. I had been with the same organization for 13 years and was happy with my top management. However, this changed over the years due to the company being sold by the previous owner, leading to changes in the bosses I reported to. Initially, these changes were manageable as the new bosses were great.

But soon, I encountered a lady boss who was brutal in her words and actions, playing the favoritism card. This led to me feeling inadequate, believing it was my fault and not exercising my rights as an employee. The constant changes in top management further fueled office politics (Smith, 2019).

Realizing the Impact on Mental Well-being
I didn’t realize that my mental well-being was affected, thinking I was simply unable to cope with organizational changes. This was almost 10 years ago, when mental well-being was not a recognized concept within corporate culture. The focus was on meeting key performance indicators and growing the business, with employees expected to go beyond their primary roles. This included organizing activities, participating in roadshows, working weekends, and more (Johnson, 2018).

Taking the Easy Way Out
My solution was to resign, believing it would make me feel better and serve as a permanent retirement. However, the decision was deeply sentimental. I cried on my last day, giving up my passion for lecturing. It took time to adjust to not being a career woman anymore. I turned to urban gardening, improving my cooking, and blogging. Despite these activities, I still longed for my career, not realizing that the organizational culture had significantly impacted my mental well-being (Brown, 2017).

Coping with Menopause and Discovering Yoga
Within the next two years, I experienced another menopause relapse, leading to hospitalization. During this time, I found yoga and joined several yoga groups before committing to one. This introduced me to new social circles. Initially, it was positive, but it eventually transformed into a friendship group where social dynamics emerged, including feelings of superiority among corporate figures. When they discovered I wasn’t a career woman, they labeled me derogatively, which hurt. However, I didn’t recognize it as an impact on my mental well-being and continued with the group until I eventually left due to changing circumstances (White, 2021).

Discovering a Passion for Yoga
The Journey to Yoga Credentials
Practicing yoga for a year rekindled my passion for the discipline. I continued practicing yoga at various centers, and at 55, I decided to pursue yoga credentials. I graduated at 58, and in the same year, founded Nava’s Zen. This journey revealed new dimensions of mental well-being, providing a significant learning and knowledge curve. I became aware of the social and cultural reasons behind the lack of awareness regarding mental well-being and its impacts on others (Smith, 2018).

Initial Intentions and Social Insights
My initial intention for taking up yoga was modest: to offer yoga sessions part-time and regain financial independence. I started offering yoga at a temple, which began promisingly. During this period, I learned about how social factors contribute to mental well-being (Brown, 2019).

Realizations from Founding Nava's Zen
The real lessons on mental well-being emerged after founding Nava’s Zen. I realized that society often lacks awareness about how their actions, conversations, and word choices impact mental well-being. This awareness opened my eyes to the brutality of social interactions (Johnson, 2020).

How My Mental Well-Being Was Impacted
Negative Social Interactions
Starting yoga sessions at the temple led to unhappiness among people who knew me personally and those who did not. Those who knew me began to see me as a threat to a family member also offering yoga at the temple. This perception led to negative remarks and hints during family functions, creating an environment of constant criticism. My husband and I faced mental stress due to these remarks, which were often made publicly to maximize their impact (White, 2021).

Continuous Negative Remarks
Despite my attempts to distance myself, negative remarks continued. Some even extended their negativity towards my daughter. This constant negativity significantly impacted my mental well-being, showing how societal attitudes can profoundly affect personal mental health (Doe, 2019).

So-Called Friends
Friends, or so-called friends, became envious of my new role as a yoga instructor. They began speaking behind my back, and their words eventually reached my ears. They seemed determined to know every detail about my life, creating a rift among our mutual friends. Their words and actions had a significant impact on my mental well-being, highlighting how deeply social interactions can affect one's mental state (Smith, 2018).

Acquaintances
Even casual acquaintances had negative things to say behind my back, which I learned about through others. Some of these individuals, who were devoutly religious, used their influence  to spread rumors and gossip about me. They watched my actions closely, both in person and on social media, and recruited others to join their efforts in passing judgment. This collective scrutiny and gossip were deeply distressing (Brown, 2019).

Impact on Mental Well-being
The behavior of these individuals, many of whom held professional positions and were outwardly respected, shocked me. Their actions shattered my inner peace and happiness. I became consumed with questions about why they were behaving this way and what their motivations were. This stress led to friction between my husband and me, as I constantly sought answers from him. The relentless negativity from these so-called friends and acquaintances took a toll on my mental health, leading me to consider giving up Nava's Zen (Johnson, 2020).

I experienced insomnia, restlessness, and a cycle of overthinking that threatened to push me into depression. The persistent anxiety and panic attacks were a direct result of this social stress. It took a considerable amount of time for me to realize that I needed to let go of these negative influences to protect my mental well-being (Doe, 2019).

Recovery Through Yoga
Since I was conducting yoga sessions, which included meditation and breathwork, I slowly began to bounce back. The cheerfulness, soulfulness, and laughter of my clients contributed significantly to my happiness during our sessions. This supportive environment helped me realize the importance of letting go of negative thoughts and focusing on the positive aspects of my life. Gradually, I regained my inner strength. Regular meditation and awareness practices, especially before bed, played a crucial role in restoring my mental well-being and learning not to let others' opinions affect me (Miller, 2021).

The Impact of Others on Mental Well-being
From these personal experiences, I learned several things about people who negatively impacted my mental well-being:

Unhappiness
People who are unhappy with themselves often project their dissatisfaction onto others. They might see others as outlets for their frustration, causing harm to others' mental well-being in the process. It's important to be aware of our mental state because, when we are not well, we tend to lash out at others (Garcia, 2020).

Boredom
Jealousy and envy often stem from boredom. Bored individuals might pick on others to fill the void in their lives, using negative remarks to feel a sense of fulfillment. This behavior is a way for them to occupy themselves and mask their own dissatisfaction (Harris, 2019).

Loneliness
Loneliness and boredom are closely related. Lonely individuals often focus on others' lives to keep themselves occupied. They watch, discuss, and gossip about others, using this as a means to cope with their loneliness. This behavior can significantly impact others' mental well-being (Parker, 2018).

Gossiping and Rumor Mongering
People who gossip or spread rumors are often dissatisfied with their own lives. They crave attention and validation. When they don't receive it, they may turn to gossip and rumor-mongering to feel better about themselves. This behavior is driven by a need for constant validation and can severely impact the mental well-being of others (Thompson, 2019).

Lack of Awareness on Mental Well-Being
There is still a significant lack of awareness regarding mental well-being, particularly concerning social factors and their impact on individuals. Many people fail to understand how their actions and words can affect someone else's mental health. Often, individuals react to situations without considering the consequences of their behavior on others. For some, this lack of awareness stems from their own struggles with mental well-being. They may act out of frustration or malice, plotting the downfall of others as a way to cope with their own issues (Garcia, 2020).

Yoga as a Natural Mind Therapy
Yoga has been proven to be an effective remedy for various factors that contribute to poor mental well-being. While yoga is often perceived as a physical health benefit, its true beauty lies in its profound impact on mental health (Yoga's Role in Adolescent Mental Health: A Call to Action). The quieting of the mind, the meditation, and the practice of awareness - collectively known as mindfulness - help in taming the mind. When our mind is tamed, we experience inner calmness and can view others more compassionately rather than reacting negatively (Miller, 2021).

The Mind's Role in Mental Well-Being
Our thoughts, feelings, and emotions play a crucial role in how we interact with others and can contribute to stress on their mental well-being. Common remedies for mental well-being, such as taking vacations or relaxing, may provide temporary relief but do not offer a lasting solution. Continuous and consistent practice of yoga can gradually fix mental well-being by helping individuals understand the root causes of their behavior and how it affects others. This self-awareness is essential for genuine mental well-being (Harris, 2019).

The Challenge of Addressing Mental Well-Being
Many people avoid addressing their mental health issues due to ego and pride, which obstruct their ability to gain clarity and perspective. Mental well-being is not only about managing daily life or requiring medical treatment in severe cases; it also involves recognizing and addressing negative attitudes, character flaws, and behaviors. Yoga provides a pathway to this self-discovery without the need for verbal communication. Through yoga, individuals can uncover their true selves and progress in their mental well-being journey (Thompson, 2019).

Conclusion
In conclusion, this article has highlighted the profound impact of societal attitudes and personal experiences on mental well-being, underscoring the need for greater awareness and proactive measures in addressing these challenges. Through a reflective journey, the author has demonstrated how career changes and negative social interactions can significantly affect mental health. The practice of yoga emerges as a transformative tool, not only for physical health but also for nurturing mental resilience and self-awareness.

By fostering mindfulness and inner peace, yoga offers a sustainable approach to enhancing mental well-being amidst the complexities of modern life. The author's personal journey with yoga exemplifies its efficacy in overcoming adversity and promoting holistic wellness. Moving forward, there is a crucial need for broader societal acceptance and integration of practices like yoga to support mental health initiatives and empower individuals to prioritize their well-being.

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