Mental health is an expression of how we feel about ourselves, other people and our ability to meet the demands of life. Positive mental health helps us to maintain fulfilling relationships, to be productive, to adapt to change and to cope with adversity.
In this chapter, we will learn how to maintain our mental health in the best possible state, by such means as being hopeful, finding peace of mind and entering the “zone”. Although an optimistic attitude will go a long way toward protecting your mental health, there may still be times when you are vulnerable to stress, anxiety or depression. However, even then, as we will see, it’s not too late for optimism to help you fight back and reverse the self-defeating thought patterns characteristic of these conditions. Remember: it is not what happens to you that affects your mental health, but the way you perceive what happens to you.