We are living in paradoxical times.
We frequently read of the increasingly dramatic strides that are being made in our scientific understanding of physical and mental wellness, and of new drugs being developed to treat related ailments.
And yet, it seems very clear that there is an equally dramatic increase in the number and severity of physical and mental wellness issues facing the population today.
Focus on treating symptoms not prevention
The rationale for this apparent paradox is undoubtedly complex but it is hard to argue that a major contributor is the tendency for modern health practitioners to focus on treatment of the symptoms – rather than the prevention – of disease.
After all, we have evolved into a society that values finding a ‘quick fix’ to our problems over the long-term, disciplined effort needed to prevent problems arising in the first place.
If you’re not convinced of this, just consider the plethora of ‘miracle cures’ being advertised for everything from weight loss to depression. If people were not so easily taken in by the hyped up claims, such products would long ago have ceased to exist.
The false great hope
When I was a youngster, rapid increases in technological development were seen as a sort of ‘great hope’ for a future in which life would be simpler, less demanding and more focused on leisure, recreation and personal happiness.
I think it is safe to say that the exact opposite has turned out to be the case.
Life may not be as physically taxing as it was a generation or two ago but it is certainly a whole lot more rushed, stressful and mentally challenging.
The challenge of mental rejuvenation
Mental rejuvenation is more difficult to achieve than ever before. This is largely thanks to the ‘always on’ culture, spawned by technological advancements that serve only to chain more and more of us to our computers and mobile devices.
We have come to associate the idea of ‘taking down time to recharge’ with ‘vegging out’ in front of the TV, playing computer games, or engaging in mindless scrolling on social media.
From a call to a whisper
For too many of us, the once powerful call of nature has turned into a whisper. We are increasingly drawn to a life devoid of real physical challenge – and the health benefits that accompany that – in favour of immersion in a virtual world.
Technological advances have also served to bring the world news direct to our electronic-gadget grasping fingertips. As everyone knows, that news is dominated by doom, gloom and negativity.
All of this takes a toll on our physical and mental wellbeing, and makes us even more susceptible to the dodgy marketing and ‘silver bullet’-type solutions that claim to alleviate our many problems.
The value of prevention
Fortunately, we are witnessing a growing body of people who see the folly of playing Russian roulette with our precious lives.
These people preach prevention as an alternative to resigning oneself to the inevitability of disease and reliance on modern medicine to provide a cure.
There is a steadily growing acceptance of the immense value of preventative medicine and the importance of bolstering our natural health defences with good nutrition, vitamins, minerals and other supplements.
The collective voice of the preventative medicine lobbyists is getting louder, despite attempts by multinational industries, that benefit from conflicting interests, to drown it out.
Mental health and prevention
Sadly, when it comes to mental health, I would have to argue that we are less advanced in our thinking and our attitude to prevention.
Someone I am close to suffered a sudden deterioration in mental health some years ago, likely brought on by a combination of work stress and a toxically polluted environment.
Not surprisingly, anti-depressant drugs were prescribed as the antidote. But a choice was made to depart with conventional treatment in favour of more natural cures.
After a great deal of time and research the problem was traced to a weakened digestive system and build up of heavy metals. It took a great deal of personal effort and time but eventually this person was able to return to a normal life, free from debilitating mental health issues.
After experiencing a protracted and very challenging period dealing with the consequences of a weakened immune system, this person is now an avid proponent of a preventative approach to mental health.
Life coaching
This brings me to life coaching.
I sometimes like to refer to life coaching as ‘preventative psychology’.
Through life coaching one can develop an advanced level of self awareness. This is the ability to understand who you really are, how your needs, beliefs and values develop, and how they may or may not serve you.
The heightened self awareness that comes from life coaching can assist you to appreciate your inner power and ability to change or adapt your system of beliefs and values to help create and sustain the life you really desire.
Life coaching can help you to identify your personal gift, or unique talent, and reveal how this gift can be used to make a constructive and fulfilling contribution to our world.
Positive mental health
Positive mental health starts with having real meaning or purpose in one’s life. It is then maintained by bringing one’s values, beliefs, actions and behaviours into alignment to serve that purpose.
Self awareness, complemented with a deep understanding of – and passionate commitment to – what it is you are here to contribute, is not just highly motivating but also a solid defence against mental health issues.
Preventative psychology, indeed!
Oh, wow that’s for sure very true. In this day and age, the focus is always on preventative, and mentoring and coaching to me is also pre-empting success for the client. THANKS Addie
Good to hear from you after all this time Addie. Thanks for the comment 🙂
Wow, this an eye-opener!
This is absolutely accurate. I am avid reader and read from books not on an electronic device (we all need away time!) and have a huge selection on every possible topic concerning mental wellness. I recently read a book called Sick Money and its quite an eye opener to see how easy it is to send someone off to the chemist with the possibility of becoming addicted. I deal with people and their high levels of anxiety on a daily basis (and give talks at rehab which some addictions have started from prescription meds). Taking the approach you are speaking of Bill is a magnificent one. Thank you as always
Thank you Avy for the real world endorsement. Keep up the good work!
Very inspiring, thank you Bill
Glad you like it Jean-Claude!
Thank you so much for adding my name Bill and for sharing, it is quite interesting your observations and insights. Looking forward to hear more.
Hi Monica, thanks for subscribing!
This post is an excellent assessment of contemporary life, as it really is, and the best antidote to it. Thank you, Bill, for sharing your wisdom, understanding and insight into the benefits of life coaching, which really does transform a monotonous existence into a purposeful and fulfilling life. One of the greatest benefits of life coaching, is acquisition of certain skills, which help a person triumph over inevitable challenges, rather than be crushed by them.
So very true – thank you Karen!
So true Karen, definitely a very helpful blog. Thanks Bill.
🙂