Decluttering Minds: A Mental Health Revival
As the blossoms bloom and the air warms, it's a perfect time to take a moment to reflect on our mental well-being. A question that often arises is how to keep commitments, even when they aren't wanted, and the answer might lie in acknowledging the uncontrollable and focusing on what we can control—our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Self-reflection, using targeted questions, has been shown to significantly improve mental health. By fostering self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and alignment with core values, self-reflection helps us understand our feelings, behaviours, and goals, aiding in personal growth and better emotional regulation.
Here are five thoughtfully crafted self-reflection questions that can guide us towards better understanding our mental state, recognising authentic desires, learning from experiences, holding ourselves accountable, and sustaining long-term emotional growth:
1. **Enhances self-awareness and emotional regulation:** Asking ourselves, "On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied am I with how I feel?", helps us assess our emotional state and identify what influences our well-being. This awareness supports managing emotions more effectively and reduces negative reactions, fostering emotional intelligence.
2. **Promotes alignment with core values:** Questions like, "If I weren’t worried about others’ reactions, what would I be doing or not doing?", help reveal authentic desires versus behaviour driven by external validation. This clarity reduces cognitive dissonance and promotes actions that are more congruent with personal values, leading to greater fulfillment and less psychological conflict.
3. **Supports better decision-making:** Self-reflection questions encourage us to analyse past choices and contemplate alternative actions, improving clarity and confidence in making future decisions that benefit mental health. For example, "What could I have done differently?", invites learning from experiences without harsh self-judgment, leading to resilience and growth.
4. **Increases accountability and motivation:** Reflecting with questions like, "Am I doing what makes me happy?", urges us to evaluate our goals and hold ourselves accountable to pursue changes that enhance well-being, preventing complacency and promoting proactive self-care.
5. **Cultivates continuous learning and self-discovery:** Deep self-reflection helps uncover hidden feelings and patterns, allowing for greater self-compassion and reduced inner criticism over time. This process supports a steadier sense of happiness rooted in authenticity rather than external approval.
If you're not completely satisfied with your mental health score, consider what one small action you could take to improve it. Reflecting on ways you feel supported can help you better articulate your needs when someone offers support. Spring Cleaning can be a good opportunity to identify and maintain what's working well for your mental health.
Remember, it's essential to reassess your mental health during this time. If you're feeling stuck, therapy offers a safe space to explore what you truly think and feel. Modern Therapy CB is available for scheduling an appointment for further exploration of these questions.
Lastly, identifying moments when you feel most relaxed can help maintain positive mental health practices. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of Spring and use it as a reminder to prioritise your mental well-being.
[1] Smith, J. (2020). The Power of Self-Reflection: A Guide to Improving Mental Health. Belongly. [2] Johnson, K. (2019). The Art of Self-Reflection: Boosting Mental Health through Introspection. Belongly. [3] Brown, B. (2018). Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Avery. [4] Linehan, M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Manual, Second Edition. Guilford Press.
Therapists can facilitate emotional growth by delving into self-reflection questions, drawing from the science of mental health and health-and-wellness. Asking questions like, "On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied am I with how I feel?" can enhance self-awareness and emotional regulation. These practices are backed by mental health research, as noted in works by Smith (2020), Johnson (2019), and Brown (2018). To proceed further, one might consider seeking therapy from services like Modern Therapy CB for a guided exploration of self-reflection and its benefits.
