Transitioning From Physical Health to Mental Wellbeing

My Dear Friends,

Today I thought we’d have a conversation about how in today’s world protecting our mental health has become more critical than ever. Unfortunately, global conditions incompatible with our natural genetic structure began with the advent of mass-produced and marketed processed food in the 1950s, reaching a peak with the explosion of the internet and mobile world from the 2000’s. In addition, platforms such as social media, where there is a blurring of the distinction between virtual and real, have spiced up the mix.

In many ways we are thus in a world that consistently leads us astray, and this trend is getting worse, especially in terms of our mental health. We struggle to know how to cope with this state of affairs. Throughout the world, the use of heavy medications such as antidepressants is rapidly increasing. We all need to cooperate in equipping ourselves with a set of coping skills while considering how to safeguard our own wellbeing and build up our resilience in the face of the exigencies of this world.

The most powerful basic tool to cope with the stresses generated by our work and private lives, and to strengthen and balance our minds, is awareness. It is impossible to practice other skills without awareness. When we approach the world without bias, unfiltered, aware of our schemas, knowing ourselves through true awareness, we will have the chance to catch the ‘happy me’ we are always after.

Back to the Present, the Moment

We all live in “automatic pilot” mode most of the time. While spending weeks, months, even years in a day-to-day rush, we miss the beauties of life because our awareness does not impinge on that moment. Awareness allows us to be in the moment, to notice what is happening, and to accept it without judgment. Meditating for just a few minutes, quieting the mind, focusing on something else and observing ourselves can be a sufficient start to re-establish the mind / body balance. For enduring mental wellbeing, we should make near-constant awareness a part of our lives.

Be the one who manages your life! Managing the challenges caused by mental chaos is completely in your hands. Breathing is a tool that connects us directly to our momentary emotions. Even a simple breathing exercise helps us discard the emotional burdens of the day. This awareness is the first step to reconnecting with ourselves and our realities.

Get Out of Fight or Flight Mode

Our lives are shaped by two basic modes. One is the fight / survival mode, the other is that of renewing ourselves and maintaining wellbeing in a tranquil and peaceful environment. The triggering elements inherent in modern life lock us into a relentless “fight or flight” mode.

Work pressure, social media and daily stresses keep our bodies on constant high alert. While in this mode, our nervous system feels threatened, anxious or stuck, and our body produces stress hormones accordingly.

"If this continues for a long time, our body becomes unable to perform its functions under chronic stress, which is deeply harmful in itself, and this is the basis of our chronic diseases."

Switching out of this mode and relaxing the body is critical for both our mental and physical health. Breathing is also the main way to put our body into healing mode.Meditation, breathing exercises and spending time in nature are effective tools for leaving the battle mode behind.

While I was living through exactly this kind of intense tempo, I came to the realisation that in the hustle and bustle of daily life, letting my body and mind breathe and achieve balance was the first stop on my journey to mental wellness.

When balance is restored, we can then deal with the stimuli around us with awareness and consciously, manage what we take into our minds, and cope with the problems the world brings us. For me, this has become a journey to a more productive and peaceful life.

The LifeCo's 20th Anniversary - A Journey from Physical Health to Mental Wellbeing

When we first established our first "Well-Being Center", TheLifeCo, in Bodrum in 2004, our mission was to create a simple purification centre for physical detox and health.

Today, 85% of our guests tell us that mental peace surpasses physical well-being as a priority. We listened to them, and implemented a Mental Wellness Program .

This program offers you the chance to initiate effective ways of coping with stress, achieve emotional balance and strengthen your brain through personalized mental skills and practices; nutrition plans; biohacking applications; yoga; workshops where you learn the intricacies of healthy living; and massage and detox options. These all serve to bring your mind and body back into balance.

We also designed digital and physical (hybrid) online and offline programs that allow us to travel hand in hand with you, before, and after the program itself.

We shall soon be announcing a similar at-home experience for those who cannot spare time for such a program.

We do not have to get caught up in the rush of life. It’s a choice. At any moment, we can rebalance ourselves with mindfulness practices and embrace life with a deeper meaning. Every small step we take can be the start of a big change and a new form of deep relaxation. We should give ourselves the chance to really enjoy this journey of life!

You can let me know what topics you’d like me to write about through the comments section.

Take care of yourselves until we meet in the next issue.

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Very Best Wishes,