Name: Sane New World
Rating: 4.4 (33 reviews)
Author: Ruby Wax

What’s in it for me? Learn what causes mental health issues and how you can overcome them.

The stresses of the modern world never stop. We spend more and more time at work, and work itself is more demanding. So we shouldn’t be surprised that stress-related illnesses are on the rise.

Yet even though so many people suffer from mental health problems, they often suffer in silence. Illnesses like depression are still largely ignored or misunderstood, even stigmatized, meaning that those who suffer find it increasingly harder to cope on their own.

These blinks help explain the science behind stress and how it affects not only our minds but also our bodies. While we all may suffer from the effects of stress at some point, there are ways to conquer stress and create a positive space where we can live happier lives.

In the following blinks, you’ll discover

why a work deadline is potentially more dangerous than being stalked by a tiger;
how we try to stop working too much by working even more; and
how to “rewire” your brain and stop stress before it starts.

A lack of satisfaction, whether at work or at home, leads us to feel unhappy.

When was the last time you felt insecure, or envious? It probably wasn’t too long ago. We all suffer from negative thoughts, inspired by a variety of reasons.

That inner voice that tells you you've done something wrong developed when you were a child. When we're young, parents and teachers tell us what to do and what not to do. While important as we’re growing up, this guidance often morphs into a voice that make us insecure and unhappy.

This critical voice doesn't like change, and doesn't want to deal with new, unpredictable situations.

Imagine you're at a party. You might only speak to people you already know, as your inner voice is telling you that if you talk to a stranger, they might not like you.

Here's the problem: if you're unhappy with your life, your inner voice may be preventing you from taking steps to change it.

When we're unhappy, it's often because we're constantly wanting something yet we're never satisfied when we get it. We may feel temporary happiness, but the moment passes quickly.

Some people deal with this permanent state of dissatisfaction by keeping themselves busy with unhealthy behaviors, so they don't have to think about what they really want in life.

You might want to be a team leader in your company, for example. If you get a promotion, however, you'll initially be happy about your new status and increased income. Eventually, however, you might feel burdened by the increased workload and responsibility.

So you may just try to keep busy with your new job, even if you don't enjoy it. Gradually you’ll get burned out, and then feel even unhappier.

We're emotionally underdeveloped and thus prone to be unhappy in our modern world.

Evolution has allowed us to adapt to all sorts of situations. But did you know that basic emotions, like jealousy, are the same now as they were millions of years ago?

Our emotions are underdeveloped, and anger is the clearest example of this.

Depression is an illness, but it is treatable.

Some people are touched more by negative emotions than others. One in four people are said to suffer from depression, a condition that as a society we are still struggling to understand.

Depression is often stigmatized. When people suffer from depression, they're often afraid to open up to others about their problems.

Your brain is the main influencer of your behavior, and it is split into three different parts.

It's critical to accept that it's not your fault when you experience negative emotions or depression.

To gain a deeper understanding of your mental health issues, however, you need to understand how your own brain works.

Feelings of constant stress can make you physically and mentally ill.

Today it's common for people to feel depressed or burnt out, and blame it on stress.

But why is stress such a big problem?

Your brain develops and physically changes when you learn and have new experiences.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem immune to stress? It's not because they ignore life’s problems – it's just that their brains have good strategies for coping with them.

Even though a human brain is made up of the same parts, it develops differently in each individual.

Practicing mindfulness can help you relax and reduce your stress.

There are many ways you can reduce stress, and practicing mindfulness is an effective solution.

Mindfulness stems from Buddhism, but it developed as a therapeutical practice in the 1980s and 1990s. The father of mindfulness therapy is Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, who worked with people suffering from chronic diseases. He had them focus on their pain rather than trying to distract themselves from it, which actually helped reduce painful sensations and stress.

Practicing mindfulness on a daily basis will make you more attentive and self-aware.

Mindfulness can help you gain control over depression and other problems, but it requires dedication. It's a good idea to do some mindfulness exercises every day.

Here are two you can try yourself!