Most people know that proper nutrition is essential for physical growth and development, such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and water. In fact, psychological "nutrition" is equally important, and a severe lack of it can affect mental health. So, what are the important psychological "nutrients" for a person?
First and foremost, the most important psychological "nutrient" is love. Love accompanies a person throughout their life. During childhood, the main source of love is from parents. Childhood is a critical period for cultivating mental health. If children do not receive sufficient and appropriate love from their parents during this stage, it will affect their lifelong psychological development. Many psychological disorders in adults are related to a lack of parental love during childhood. As a person grows, love from friends and mentors becomes more important during adolescence. In young adulthood, love from romantic partners and spouses is especially crucial. In middle age, love from colleagues, relatives, and children is essential. They can give young people confidence and motivation in their careers and family life, making life joyful and warm. Finally, love is also the key to happiness in old age. Love has a broad meaning, not just romantic love, but also includes care, comfort, encouragement, rewards, praise, trust, help, and support. If a person does not receive love from others, especially from their loved ones, for a long period of time, their mind will become unbalanced, leading to obstacles or disorders.
The second important psychological "nutrient" is emotional release and catharsis. Whether it is avoiding or finding ways to self-comfort, they can only temporarily relieve psychological conflicts and achieve surface-level balance. They only treat the symptoms. However, moderate emotional release has a fundamental therapeutic effect. Of course, this kind of release should be beneficial and follow the principles of not harming others or society. Otherwise, it will create a vicious cycle and bring more unhappiness. For example, when you are feeling depressed, you can play soccer or talk to your loved ones and friends about the things that bother you. This is emotional release. At the same time, you also hope that someone can help you untangle your thoughts or give you good advice. Emotional release and catharsis are effective ways to maintain psychological balance. If emotional burdens do not receive release or catharsis for a long time, it will intensify psychological conflicts and eventually lead to psychological disorders.
The third important psychological "nutrient" is well-intentioned and strategic criticism. It helps people distinguish right from wrong, correct mistakes, and continuously improve themselves. If a person does not receive correct criticism for a long time, they may develop problems such as arrogance, stubbornness, and self-righteousness, which are manifestations of unhealthy psychological development. However, overly harsh criticism and accusations that hurt self-esteem can trigger a rebellious mentality in people. In severe cases, it can lead to self-destruction, isolation from the community, and a difficult path to recovery. Therefore, when encountering this "psychological virus," one should be vigilant and enhance psychological immunity. We should regularly surround ourselves with knowledgeable, virtuous, and trustworthy people to easily obtain this healthy "nutrient."
The fourth important psychological "nutrient" is strong beliefs and ideals. The power of belief and ideals is remarkable, and it plays a vital role in the psyche. During the journey of life, we often encounter various setbacks and failures, and may fall into unexpected predicaments. At such times, beliefs and ideals act as balancers for the mind. They help people maintain a stable mindset, overcome difficulties and setbacks, and prevent them from deviating from their life path and entering a dark psychological zone.
The fifth important psychological "nutrient" is forgiveness. Life is full of ups and downs, and not everything goes as planned. Anger and depression often accompany these situations. Forgiveness is a magic weapon for getting rid of various troubles and reducing psychological stress. However, forgiveness is not about escaping; it is about being open-minded and wise.
The key to maintaining psychological health is to learn self-regulation, be good at managing emotions, and achieve self-reliance and self-awareness in psychological protection. It is important to actively replenish healthy psychological "nutrients" for oneself and provide them to others when necessary, which can promote psychological well-being.
