External Factors Which Impact Our Mental Wellbeing
External Factors Which Impact Our Mental Wellbeing
Our mental wellbeing is affected by multiple factors which combine to make us feel either better or worse. Our resulting mental condition then colours our personal experience.
There are multiple factors that affect people, including:
- Beliefs about the future
- Self-image, (self-esteem)
- The company we keep
- Physical health
- Daily habits
- Ability to think rationally
1. Beliefs about the future.
Our beliefs about the future affect our mental wellbeing. Whenever a person thinks about the future, they feel either more optimistic or fearful.
Those who unwittingly fall into the trap of habitual fearful thoughts, suffer from a lack of mental wellbeing.
If you want to develop your mental wellbeing, look for reasons to support the belief that the future may be better than the past, because "optimism" creates "mental wellbeing"
2. Self-image, (self-esteem).
As children grow into adulthood, they form a "self-image", which is the mental picture which describes "what" and "who" they are, and where their limits are.
Some people create for themselves disempowered self-images, which makes them feel inadequate to the task of succeeding.
Other people develop high powered self-images, which makes them feel confident and capable of achieving their goals.
If you want to develop greater mental wellbeing, then work on building a terrific self-image. "See yourself" as a person who can achieve whatever goal you set.
3. The company we keep.
We are strongly affected by the company we keep. Some people mix with people who have a destructive effect on their minds. Other people mix with friends who have a constructive influence.
If you want to develop better mental health, then check out your mates. Do they inspire you, or not?
Spend more time with people who you find inspiring.
4. Physical health and condition.
The mind and body combine to form a single integrated system. Therefore, mental wellbeing can be encouraged by physical wellbeing.
If you want to develop mental wellbeing, then improve your physical health by eating, sleeping and exercising regularly.
5. Our daily habits.
We all have habits; some good, some bad. The effects of our habits accumulate, over time.
Bad habits create bad results, which tend to decrease mental wellbeing
Good habits create successful results which tend to enhance mental wellbeing.
If you want to improve mental wellbeing, then start by picking out your worst bad habit and replacing it with a good one.
Each time you eliminate a bad habit and replace it with a better one, your sense of mental wellbeing is improved, because now you know that you can make things better by an act of will.
6. Ability to think rationally (rational or irrational).
Humans are defined as "the rational animal". We are the only species that relies on the ability to reason as our means of survival. It is reason that makes us more than a chimpanzee. Reason is responsible for science, philosophy, ethics, mathematics, and logic.
Whenever people lose their reason, then they are irrational, illogical and emotionally unbalanced.
Whenever a person improves their ability to think, speak and act according to logical, rational, ethical and scientific principles, then they gain mental wellbeing.
If you want to improve your mental wellbeing: Treat all people and all problems, according to the principles of reason.
Definition: mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is a psychological state, in the mental health context, marked by a steady, mostly upbeat mood; clear and logical thoughts; the ability to handle everyday stress and bounce back after problems; and a firm sense of purpose and self-worth.
Show CG4D Definition
- Steady, mainly positive mood
- Clear, rational thinking
- Ability to cope with stress and recover after setbacks
- Sense of purpose and self-worth
Article Summary
Guide six outside forces-thoughts of the future, self-image, friends, body care, daily habits and clear reason-towards hope and growth, and each small choice will stack up to lift your mental wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What are external factors in mental wellbeing?
How do beliefs about the future influence mood?
Can self-image really affect mental health?
Why does my social circle change my wellbeing?
How does physical health link to mental wellbeing?
What simple habit change can boost mental health fast?
How can I think more rationally day to day?
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Did You Know: Key Statistics
Office for National Statistics (UK) Wellbeing Survey 2023 shows that adults who achieve at least 150 minutes of weekly moderate exercise are 25% less likely to report moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms than inactive adults. A 2022 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study finds that people who feel strongly connected to friends or family are 50% more likely to rate their mental health as ‘excellent’ compared with those who feel lonely.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Mental Health
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How to achieve a work life balance
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How to Improve Employee Mental Wellbeing
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How to Manage Your Mental Well-Being
Learn steps to improve mental well-being: build a strong self-image, drop the three Ps, reframe mistakes and forgive fast to boost mood and resilience.
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Managing Emotions to Improve Your Mental Health
Learn to manage emotions using question-led thinking that swaps negative self-talk for solution focus, lifts mood and drives lasting mental health improvement.
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External Factors Which Impact Our Mental Wellbeing
Learn how beliefs, self-esteem, friends, body health, habits and rational thinking interact to improve mental wellbeing, with tips to guide each area daily.
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