“Please stop, I can’t breathe’’ said a ‘black man’- as the world identifies him, before being choked to death. The world was shaken. Hashtags were born. Ironically these words have also synced with the mental state of a young successful actor who decided to take his life due to harrowing darkness inside, amidst the starry chaos. The former at the much celebrated ‘developed nation’ where progressive-intellectual brains are in plenty but, with overflowing Caucasoid narcissism and the latter at the land of diverse culture, extravagant artforms, and pompous harmony. Yet, that did not prove worthy to a sinking mind. Despite stark geographical contrasts, they are trying to tell the same story of a world we live in.
Extremes of emotions like rage, anxiety, and depression have taken over our lives and become a part of it like uninvited guests. Society as a whole has evolved into a group of self-absorbed creatures who have forgotten the purpose of existence. And sadly it took a pandemic to sit down and wonder what these heart-wrenching incidents tell us.
Why such happenings?
The differences in the power vested among the whites and blacks have been a hot topic for ages. Despite being a population driven by ‘science and facts’, some of them still are in a phase of denial. Denial of the fact that there is no difference in potential, skills, or grey matter in relation to the amount of pigmentation in one’s body. This denial is making the place hostile for the dark. And have been leading to such brutal acts ever since. Some came to light some others didn’t. Talking about the Indian subcontinent, where there are less stark whites and blacks and just shades of brown, the sick game of ‘color’ is no different either. Hefty cosmetic brands that sell glow potions with an annual turnover of thousands of crores to date just show that ‘gorapan’ (fairness) is all that matters in the country. Celebrities who endorse the same throwing public stunts to showcase their solidarity to the antiracist hashtags is a paradox in itself. The same applies to caste, creed, religion, and what not.
It is an automated game of authority and subordination, of being superior to another and creating an illusion of privilege. And these create bouts of stress that we have to deal with every day.
In a world craving for validation, some might win the race and some don’t. The authoritative society makes the journey harder for the ‘underprivileged’ and this has led millions of people to a state of worthlessness. This phase of sadness might lead to clinical forms of depression or anxiety. This is probably why there is a global record of 264 million people affected by clinical depression and it being the 2nd leading cause of death in the age group of 15–29-year-olds. And a good majority of them are due to social and psychological factors.
The exchange of extreme emotions shall make the weak, weaker. When complex interpersonal relations comply to being external trigger factors to go to a state of mental illness, our exposure to ‘what goes inside’ our bodies also play a key role in our mental health.
Considering the recent rise of mental health impairments of any form, the relevance of dietary and routine factors cannot be left aside. And this has always been some of the defining factors of health in the medical practices of Ayurveda. The gut mind axis, mind-body medicine are some of the recent allies of modern medicine too, which aids in a better understanding of psychological impairments.
Ayurvedic understanding of the mind functions is vested upon 3 factors and their equilibrium
Sattva — the purest and positive state of being where there is utmost clarity and emotional traits at its best
Rajas — the burning dynamic and mobile state of being where anguish rage and ego are the dominant traits
Tamas — the stagnant and dark state of being where pessimism is dominant
A healthy mind stages a beautiful conglomeration of all 3 factors working in unison. But off lately, we are driven to a psyche predominantly of rajas and tamas as per researches. And we could see the results playing live in front of our eyes and within ourselves too. What you feed yourself with is quite important in maintaining a mental equilibrium.
“A dietary pattern characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grain, fish, olive oil, low-fat dairy and antioxidants and low intakes of animal foods was associated with a decreased risk of depression. A dietary pattern characterized by high consumption of red and/or processed meat, refined grains, sweets, high-fat dairy products, butter, potatoes and high-fat gravy, and low intakes of fruits and vegetables is associated with an increased risk of depression.” — says a Harvard health article on diet and depression.
The former group of food is nothing but a ‘Sattvik’ form of diet and the latter being ‘Rajasik’. The ‘Tamasik’ group comprises mostly of stale, reheated, cold, bland and flavorless group of food items. The impacts of this food alter intestinal permeability and trigger inflammatory response resulting in the neurotransmission of various sorts. This is merely gut homeostasis interlinked with psychological well being, in Ayurveda.
Since we are a consumerist society in every way, not merely the diet but also all sort of content we consume triggers the mind. Be it conversations, activities, online information and so on which lack the ‘good feeling’ or which do not initiate positive vibrations in yourself.
A collection of all this could be the reason for a fickle mental state for the people of today. Having said that, depression or anxiety can be caused due to many other factors too which are out of our immediate control like existing chronic illness or even geriatric depression.
But for those which are in control, can be altered by a person for himself and the society. With one triggering another, mental illnesses or brutalities have always been a pandemic of this society. Hence acceptance of one’s mental well being or disruption and awareness of the solutions available is of prime importance. CBT, psychotherapy, and effective medication remains some of those. But strangely this creates a slur on one’s ‘public image’ in the current norms. But it is each one of our responsibility to not fall for this baffling stigma around getting treatment for the driving forces of our being.
Take charge of our minds and activate our preparedness for a possible outbreak within ourselves or your dear ones.
Everyone has the right to be appreciated, wanted and loved
You are in no way superior or inferior to anybody else.
Each one of us has a unique journey.
Appreciate good efforts. Better not mask ‘hate’ with the name of constructive criticism.
Keep a good circle of people in handy- push yourself and others to talk it out.
Most mental illnesses can be resolved . Be wise and get help
Be selfish about the health of your body and mind.
Each one of us is born with a purpose. Don’t take that away from oneself or others.
REFLECT. REACH OUT.REPAIR
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Nelson Mandela
