Things We Wish We Knew About Mental Wellness Earlier

Mental wellness affects every aspect of our lives: simple acts like nature walks, journaling, and self-care can have a profound impact on your business and well-being. PHOTO: Leeloo The First

Whether it's overseeing operations, meeting deadlines or leading a team, the pressure in business can feel unrelenting. However, one key factor impacts everything we do, and that’s our mental wellness. For many of us, mental wellness wasn’t something we fully understood or prioritized early on. It wasn’t until we faced challenges firsthand, that we truly grasped its importance.

Looking back, there are several key lessons we wish we had known earlier. We hope that by sharing these insights, you can take better care of your mind, body and business.

1. Mental Wellness Is Just As Important As Physical Health

It’s easy to prioritize physical health: exercise, nutrition, sleep, while neglecting mental wellness. For years, we thought mental health was just about “feeling stressed” or “getting over a bad day,” but we’ve since learned it goes much deeper than that.

What we wish we knew earlier: Taking care of our mental wellness is just as crucial as maintaining our physical health. Activities like meditation, journaling and even taking short breaks are essential for keeping our minds sharp and preventing burnout. Mental wellness affects everything we do: our decisions, creativity and productivity.

2. Burnout Doesn’t Happen Overnight—It Builds Gradually

We often thought we could push through the exhaustion, thinking that working longer hours would yield better results. But burnout doesn’t happen overnight, it creeps in gradually, impacting both our physical and mental well-being.

What we wish we knew earlier: Burnout builds over time and is often linked to significant life events or changes. Trying to juggle personal struggles, business challenges and other life transitions can overwhelm the mind. It’s essential to recognize when we’re pushing ourselves too hard and learn to pace ourselves for the long haul.

3. It’s Okay to Ask for Help—But It Can Be Difficult for Some

Asking for help can feel like a sign of weakness or failure. However, we’ve learned that seeking help is actually a strength, not a weakness. While it may be difficult, reaching out for support is an important step.

What we wish we knew earlier: Asking for help is critical and though it may not be easy for everyone, many people struggle with it. Whether it’s speaking to a therapist, seeking guidance from a mentor or confiding in friends and family, having a strong support system is vital for mental wellness. It’s not just about the business; it’s about the person behind the business too.

4. Mental Wellness Isn’t Always on Our Radar—But It Should Be

For a long time, we only thought about mental wellness when we were facing a crisis. Unfortunately, many of us didn’t receive education about mental health growing up. There was little emphasis on mental wellness in school and we didn’t know where to turn for help until we were already struggling.

What we wish we knew earlier: Mental wellness should be a part of our everyday lives, not just something we consider when we're overwhelmed. Regularly practicing mindfulness, staying in tune with our emotional needs, and seeking support when necessary can help us manage stress and prevent burnout.

5. Mental Illness and Depression Are More Complex Than Just Sadness

Many of us assumed that depression was simply prolonged sadness. It wasn’t until we or those around us experienced it firsthand that we realized depression is far more than that. It can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of our lives. Going through depression can feel like losing control of your mind, where even simple tasks become overwhelming. What we wish we knew earlier: Mental illness and depression often go hand in hand. Understanding that depression can feel like a mental state where the mind feels "lost" is essential. It’s not just sadness, it’s a profound and challenging experience that requires attention, understanding, and support. It is incredibly difficult to overcome alone and professional help is often necessary.

6. Anxiety Is More Than Just Panic, It’s an Emotional Strain

Anxiety is often misunderstood. It’s not just about feeling nervous or experiencing a panic attack. For many of us, anxiety takes the form of emotional strain, which can be easily overlooked. We didn’t realize that something as simple as meditation could help ease the tension that comes with anxiety until we explored tools like Insight Timer, which helped us ground ourselves and take control of our breathing.

What we wish we knew earlier: Anxiety is a disorder that can manifest as emotional strain, which isn’t always visible. Learning to recognize the signs and using tools like breathing exercises and meditation apps can help us manage anxiety in a healthier way.

Prioritizing mental wellness is key for business success, activities like journaling, meditation and asking for help can prevent burnout and boost productivity. PHOTO: DS Stories

7. Sometimes, Religion Plays a Key Role in Mental Wellness

For some of us, religion can play a crucial role in maintaining mental wellness. Whether through prayer or simply reflecting on our values, these practices provide comfort and strength.

What we wish we knew earlier: Praying for others who are experiencing mental health challenges can be incredibly comforting, as it often provides a sense of peace and connection. Whether or not we’re religious, practicing moments of reflection can have a positive impact on mental wellness.

8. Simple Acts Can Have a Big Impact on Mental Wellness

Sometimes, the smallest things make the biggest difference in our mental health. For example, taking a walk on the beach, picking up seashells or listening to music can bring us back to a place of calm and clarity.

What we wish we knew earlier: Small, soothing activities can make a significant difference. From enjoying nature to engaging in creative hobbies like taking a course or visiting a boutique shopping center, these small joys can have a profound impact on our mental wellness. Singing for the first time in years after a period of prolonged sadness can bring unexpected joy and positive change. Similarly, putting up affirmation cards around the house, where you can see them daily, can have a profound influence on your mindset, encouraging positivity and reinforcing self-care.

9. Exercise, Diet, and Daily Habits Matter More Than We Think

We often overlooked the importance of exercise, eating a balanced breakfast, or even using natural sweeteners instead of sugar. These small but vital habits can significantly impact our mental wellness.

What we wish we knew earlier: Exercise and nutrition are key to mental wellness. A nutritious breakfast, regular physical activity, and choosing foods that nurture rather than drain us can go a long way in boosting mood and energy levels.

The Hidden Key to Innovation: Your Mindset

Mental wellness is an ongoing journey, one that requires continual care and attention. It’s about understanding that we’re not alone in our struggles and that it’s okay to seek help, lean on others, and take care of ourselves. Embracing these practices earlier could have made our lives and businesses much easier to navigate. Mental wellness isn’t just about “feeling good”; it’s about setting ourselves up for long-term success and well-being.

Mental wellness isn’t a luxury; it’s the foundation of everything we create. True success starts with taking care of the mind that’s building the dream.