World Mental Health Day

Why Talking About Our Mental Health Matters

Every year, on the 10th of October, people from across the globe come together to observe World Mental Health Day. It’s a day dedicated to sparking conversations, spreading awareness, and, perhaps most importantly, reminding us all that mental health matters.

I am a great believer that mental health matters, because I too have had my moments when the world felt against me and the bottom fell out of my pan.

In today’s fast paced, hyper connected world, mental health challenges are on the rise, yet talking about them remains difficult for many.

World Mental Health Day serves as a moment to reflect on why openly discussing our mental health is crucial and how practices like mindfulness, mood setting, and intentional self care can be powerful tools in our mental health journey.

Key lessons:

Why Talking About Our Mental Health Matters
Importance of Mental Health Awareness
Mood, Motivation, Mindfulness, and Mental Health
Mindfulness and Mood Setting
Prioritise Mental Health
Reach Out for Help
Make Mental Health a Priority
FAQs - World Mental Health Day

blog / World Mental Health Day 2024

Importance of Mental Health Awareness

Mental health awareness destigmatises conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. These experiences, allows individuals to feel safe discussing their challenges without fear of judgment.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 280 million people globally suffer from depression, and many more struggle with various mental health conditions that go unrecognised or untreated.

In the UK alone, a 2023 report by Mental Health Foundation revealed that 74% of adults have felt so stressed at some point over the past year that they felt unable to cope. Yet, despite these staggering numbers, only a fraction of people seek professional help.

In many cases, people feel uncomfortable discussing their mental health, whether due to fear of judgment, lack of understanding, or concerns about being seen as ‘weak.’

But mental health is just as important as physical health. Just as we talk about a cold or injury with family, friends, or even professionals, we must foster a culture where talking about mental health is seen as normal and necessary.

This is where awareness days like World Mental Health Day play a pivotal role. They shine a light on the reality that mental health challenges can affect anyone at any stage of life, from the young professional juggling career pressures to the parent balancing family life.

These conversations matter because they can lead to the support, understanding, and treatment individuals need to cope with life’s inevitable ups and downs.

Mood, Motivation, Mindfulness, and Mental Health

While mental health conditions can stem from various factors genetics, trauma, social circumstances, it’s important to recognise the smaller, everyday actions that can influence our mental well being.

This is where practices focused on mood, motivation, and mindfulness can come into play. As someone who personally uses wax melts for mood setting, meditation and in the work place.

I’ve found that creating a mindful, intentional space for activities like yoga or working from home has had a positive impact on my mental well being.

If I start my day with yoga or I'm sitting at my desk for a long stretch of focused work, the environment I create with scented wax melts is uplifting and calming. Fragrances help to ground me and shift my mental state.

Fragrances like Jasmine or Pink Sands can invoke a sense of peace, helping me feel more present, focused, and calm. This ritual is not avoidance but about setting the stage for mental clarity, helping to manage stress levels, and maintaining a positive, productive mindset.

The same way a hubby sets the stage with romantic music, I set my environment to give clarity and positivity.

Mindfulness and mood setting

For me, mindfulness and mood setting are small, but significant parts of my mental health routine. Each morning, as I light a wax melt before my yoga session, I feel a momentary shift in energy, the calming scent enhances the practice, making it easier to focus on breathwork and clear my mind.

Later in the day, when I’m working from my office, I often turn to these same fragrances to help maintain a calm, productive workspace. The simple act of changing the environment can subtly boost my mood, reminding me to pause, breathe, and remain mindful, even amid a busy schedule.

I am not alone in finding solace in these practices. This personal practice reflects research showing how mindfulness and mood setting impact mental health. A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology demonstrated that mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) programs significantly improve emotional regulation and well being, reducing stress even in challenging times like the COVID19 pandemic​.

Research also suggests that creating a calming environment using fragrances like lavender can reduce cortisol levels, directly helping to alleviate stress​.

By incorporating small but powerful rituals suck as meditation, deep breathing, or mood enhancing scents, individuals can take control of their mental health and create an environment that supports well being.

Through meditation, exercising outdoors, and creating a calming environment with scents and soft lighting, mindfulness practices allow us to step out of the rush of everyday life, center ourselves, and connect with the present moment.

These practices encourage us to be kind to ourselves, offer a momentary escape from stress, and, over time, foster a sense of balance and emotional resilience.


Source:
Mindfulness Is Associated With Lower Stress and Higher Work Engagement in a Large Sample of MOOC Participants
Mindfulness Improves Emotion Regulation and Executive Control on Bereaved Individuals: An fMRI Study
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Increases Mental Wellbeing and Emotion Regulation During the First Wave of the COVID19 Pandemic

Prioritise Mental Health

As we recognise World Mental Health Day, it’s important to remember that while talking about mental health is a key step, so too is taking action to prioritise it in daily life. Here are some practical ways to integrate mindfulness and mood setting into your routine:

1. Create a Mindful Space: Whether it's a cosy corner of your home or your entire workspace, design an area that helps you feel calm and centered.
   
   Use wax melts, candles, or essential oils with soothing fragrances like lavender, jasmine, or citrus to uplift your mood. Having a designated space for mindfulness helps in my home I have dedicated a room for yoga, meditation, or to just be and relax.
   
   If you can't accommodate an entire room, try creating a space within a room dedicated to your peace of mind. This can really help you retreat mentally, even in the busiest of times.
   
   

2. Incorporate Daily Mindfulness: Engage in simple practices like meditation or deep breathing exercises.
   
   If you're new to mindfulness, start with just 5-10 minutes a day. Apps like Headspace or Calm can guide you through these practices and help make mindfulness a regular part of your routine.
   
   

3. Focus on Mood Boosting Rituals: Integrating small rituals, like lighting a wax melt during your morning coffee or evening relaxation time, can help anchor you during moments of stress. Choose scents that align with the mood you wish to cultivate uplifting, calming, or refreshing.
   

Reach Out for Help


If you're struggling with mental health issues, know that you’re not alone, and support is available. Here are a few organisations you can contact:

1. Mind UK: Offering advice and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. You can call their helpline on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk.
   
   

2. Samaritans: Available 24/7 to offer a listening ear for anyone feeling overwhelmed. Call them on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
   
   

3. CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Providing support for anyone feeling down, particularly focused on men’s mental health. Contact CALM on 0800 58 58 58 or via their webchat at www.thecalmzone.net.
   
   

4. Rethink Mental Illness: Supporting people affected by mental illness through advocacy and practical help. Call their advice line on 0300 5000 927 or email info@rethink.org.

Make Mental Health a Priority

World Mental Health Day reminds us that talking about mental health isn’t just for those already affected by mental illness, because it impacts everyone.

If your looking for ways to cope with the stresses of daily life, or you’re seeking to support someone in your life, the first step is to start the conversation.

By making small, mindful changes in our routines, like self care rituals, mindfulness practices, or creating a more calming environment, we can nurture our mental well being and build resilience against life’s inevitable ups and downs.

As we reflect on World Mental Health Day, ask yourself,

1. How can I take better care of my mental health?

2. How can I create a space that supports my well being?

3. And most importantly, how can I make talking about mental health a part of my everyday life?

Remember selfcare is not selfish, its a priority.

Frequently asked questions

What is the theme for mental health 2024?

The official theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is "Let's Talk."

This theme emphasises the importance of open conversations about mental health and breaking down the stigma surrounding it.

It encourages individuals to seek help, share their experiences, and support others who may be struggling.

What is the mental health slogan for 2024?

It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.

Why wear green on World Mental Health Day?

Wearing green on World Mental Health Day is to show support.

Green is often associated with mental health awareness, representing growth, hope, and new beginnings. It's a way to visually express solidarity and understanding for those who are struggling with mental health issues.

However, it's important to note that not everyone will wear green on this day.

It's a personal choice, and there are other ways to show support, such as sharing information, donating to mental health organisations, or simply being kind and compassionate to others.

How to celebrate World Mental Health Day 2024?

World Mental Health Day is a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health. Let's break the stigma, have open conversations, and support each other.

What resources are available for mental health?

Online Resources:

1. Shout: https://giveusashout.org/get-help/ (text SHOUT to 85258)
   
   

2. The Mix: https://www.themix.org.uk/
   
   

3. SANE: https://www.sane.org.uk/
   
   

4. Young Minds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
   
   

Remember, you are not alone. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and there are people who care about you and want to support you.

About Cayla

Our story begins in lockdown, in the era of solitude and isolation.

As the world slowed down and people sought comfort in the sanctuary of their homes, the concept of Cayla Henri's wax melts were born.