Mental health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes its own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to the society (1). To be honest, the criteria of mental health, seems to be per se a challenge. Particularly in the view of today’s socio-economic impacts, like Covid, energy crisis or rising inflation.
We need to work harder and perform even better to lead our families through the crisis, support those, who need help and take care that our kids get the education they need to be prepared for a better future. At the same time, we recognize that we are missing out mindfulness, proper work breaks and time for recovery to remain healthy and happy. It is not surprising, that never so many people were concerned about their mental health than today.
In fact, there is a significant increase in mental disease within younger and middle aged people. Pharmaceutical companies are building pipelines targeting classical mental disease symptoms, but also their socio-economical background. So-called digital treatments, deliver patients health benefits by supporting behavioral changes without pharmacological interventions.
In preparation of this editorial, I did an online search for “mental health challenge” and was surprised about the number of digital mental health lifestyle programs, which are available.
Internet websites, mobile apps, wearable devices, and video games developed to improve behavioral, cognitive, and affective targets.
I guess you all know the thousands of subscriptions for online nutritional tutorials and programs to maintain your body in shape, like the ultimate 30 days salsa dance challenge, or find out which type of intermediate fasting you are. Similar concepts are available to support mental health. I got the idea to summarize the key target of mental health with a new expression: “Intermittent working”. We need to find our individual way to have dedicated time for work and free from work time, where we ask our brain to switch off work and do things to create new neuronal connections and competences, not to forget the recovery periods. After intermittent fasting – intermittent working may be the next health trend.
Let’s look more in detail into the mental health challenges. They are available from companies, governmental organization, or even universities (2-4).
They all have in common, that they offer mental guides to focus on self-care and to reach small, realistic, and attainable steps to feel happier and healthier. Most of the time it is a 30 days program. Nearly all tasks support a break from work. Having a closer look, they can be divided in five types of activities. The first four have the target to contribute unconsciously to mental health. The last one included obviously targets to support mental health. Let me show you selected examples for each activity type. First, to be an active part of society, perceive family, friends and once surrounding. Examples are, contact a friend you have not seen for a while, donate something, you do not need anymore, complement somebody or learn again, how to ask for help. Second, take care for a healthy diet, to make sure that you select your food mindfully and not just eat the fast food, which is conveniently available. Drink for one day only water. Third, activities to calm down. Take a deep breath, book a spa treatment, go to bed 30 minutes earlier, go for a walk or listen to your favorite music. Fourth, activities to have fun. Like, watch a silly video or movie, practice your favorite hobby, or plan a night with friends. Fifth, the conscious achievements, like adapt a new habit, unfollow negative social media accounts, or say no to something, cross an item on your to do list.
Although technology provides a promising potential, the majority of the mental health challenges technologies have not been tested and furthermore, the best practice, how to evaluate and apply have not been established. It looks like, they will be able to support behavioral changes towards a healthy lifestyle, and could be an add-on to mental health supplements or treatments. This means, in line with the increasing mental health concerns, the demand for nutritional support for cognitive performance, relaxation, stress-relief or quality sleep, will rise further. New trends are plant-based ingredients targeting the brain-gut-connection, as well as innovative probiotics, supporting mental health besides traditional vitamins and herbal extracts.
Finally, let me close this editorial with the words of Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary: “Try to consider anxiety as information not a failure of happiness. Anxiety is an emotion and up to a certain level, it supports our ability to think into the future. It triggers innovation, creativity and new networks” (5).
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