Introduction
It is common knowledge that the current approach to mental health issues in healthcare and psychology is to focus on therapies or medications. Many people are generally aware that physical health can be influential on a person’s mental well-being as well. Mental illnesses are becoming more recognized as serious conditions rather than stigmatized notions of the past. However, the majority of the public is unaware that mental health and mindset share a strong correlational and causational connection. Mindset has a substantial impact on a person’s mental health.
Discussion
Firstly, having a high level of grit mindset is associated with self-regulation benefitting a person’s mental health. According to Burnette et al.’s academic research in Clinical Psychology Review, neuroscience research has shown that the neural substrate for grit is in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for self-regulation, planning, goal setting, and reflection of past experiences (7). This concept is linked to the notion of having unrelenting energy over a long period of time, despite difficulties and obstacles (Burnette et al. 22). It is associated with active coping capability in individuals as well (Burnette et al. 41). The analysis of the evidence as well as applying critical thinking on the grit mindset reveals that self-regulation is important because it is likely to enable greater self-control. In other words, a person capable of regulating his or her own thoughts will not engage in negative thoughts exacerbating symptoms of mental issues. For instance, sticking to the set plans and striving towards goals cannot be done effectively if an individual is suffering from mental ailments. Each step towards achieving something of value is a positive feedback loop, which makes one more disciplined and resilient to the hardships of life. The evidence of the reflection on past experiences is another indicator of a grit mindset promoting mental well-being. Many can relate to the notion of how dwelling on negative occurrences of the past can ruin one’s day and facilitate unhealthy inner chatter. For example, a person remembering how he or she failed to pass an exam can discourage him or her from important future events, such as a job interview. This translates into another piece of evidence presented above on being energetic and resilient to obstacles. In other words, having a high degree of grit mindset provides an individual with the mental strength to be resistant to stressors. Essentially, he or she is able to cope with problems better, which ensures that mental well-being remains unaffected by constantly emerging troubles and challenges that are unavoidable. Thus, the bigger picture is that a high level of grit mindset enables better self-regulation, which keeps a person content and happy despite life’s difficulties.
Secondly, a lack of a grit mindset is associated with a number of mental health adversities. According to Burnette et al.’s academic research in Clinical Psychology Review, having a low-grit mindset can increase anxiety and excessive rumination (3). In addition, according to Schroder et al.’s publication in a scholarly journal titled Personality and Individual Differences, a lack of a grit mindset can cause a lack of motivation and coping strategies to overcome challenging events (26). The analysis of the provided evidence demonstrates the downsides of not having or having a low-grit mindset. It complements the previous main point on the utility of a grit mindset. For instance, if an individual has a low level of grit mindset, he or she will be anxious due to excessive rumination and overthinking. It shows that the inner chatter every person experiences is no longer properly controlled, which can lead to destructive thoughts and emotions. As an example, one could imagine his or her past failures being a determinant of future plans. If there is no grit mindset to block these thoughts, then such a person is doomed to become anxious about what failures are to come. Overthinking is not healthy for mental well-being as well since it causes paralysis in making decisions and committing to plans. One might set a goal to improve oneself, but excessive rumination can provide a false reason why this effort will result in failure. It is generally highly discouraging, which leads to a loss of motivation to stick to the plans and goals. A low-grit mindset translates into decreased levels of coping capabilities. For example, a person who plans to exercise daily might give up when there is additional stress coming from family or work. He or she can cope with a limited amount of distress. If this limit is exceeded, then he or she will stop exercising due to the lack of coping skills, which is the result of low grit mindset levels. The bigger idea is that having no grit mindset makes a person susceptible to life’s challenges making him or her mentally unhappy, worried, and excessively anxious.
Thirdly, the impact of a positive stress mindset on mental health is beneficial. According to Casper et al.’s study published in the European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, employees with a positive stress mindset tend to be less affected when anticipating large/stressful workloads (800). A positive mindset helps employees use coping strategies when facing large/challenging tasks (Casper et al. 805). According to Tague’s research in an academic journal titled Leonardo, a positive mindset correlates with better task performance overall (207). The analysis of the evidence, as well as the application of critical thinking to the positive stress mindset, reveals that it empowers the capabilities that have been proven to exist inside a person. The information presented above demonstrated the limitations associated with the lack of coping skills. The person exhibits elevated worry and rumination due to a lack of creativity. Lack of coping mechanisms to overcome difficult situations. A positive stress mindset is about resilience to stress, and it is an attribute linked to the levels of desire that defines the focus of one’s enthusiasm and will. The individual response to stress is moderated by various mechanisms that determine the strength of the impact of the stressor on the individual. Various personality characteristics may be particularly involved in the emotional appraisal of a situation and play a significant role in the perception of and response to stress. That is why the importance of the individual’s personality traits in the genesis and overcoming of stress is beyond doubt. At the same time, it is the features of the relationship between the characteristics of emotional reactivity and personality, the role of personal determination in the development of stress, that is the least studied and attracted increased attention. Therefore, emotional stability and personality stability are the key prerequisites for successfully solving the main life tasks, as well as maintaining mental health. The bigger picture is that a positive stress mindset influences an individual’s viewpoint on how repeated thinking impacts mental well-being.
Fourthly, the impact of a negative stress mindset on mental health is detrimental. According to Casper et al.’s study published in the European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, a negative stress mindset leads to a decrease in task performance due to low motivation levels (806). According to Schroder et al.’s publication in a scholarly journal titled Behavior Therapy, motivation is linked to increased feelings of exhaustion mixed with a large increase in the risk of burnout detrimental to mental health and well-being (714). By analyzing the evidence, it is possible to provide a commentary and critical thinking to state that the grit mindset is likely triggered by self-awareness and the desire for self-actualization through incremental mastery of problem sets. There might be positive links between one’s attitude to stress and persistence in seeking to achieve set long-term goals. Those with a defeated attitude might have increased anxiety, ruminating, and lack of drive due to a negative stress mindset. Thus, it is possible that the lack of coping methods to overcome adversity is connected with a negative stress mindset as well. In addition, it is likely that a negative stress mindset creates more negative thoughts and emotions, hindering a person’s ability to cope with stress and stick to the plans. Every subsequent failure might further amplify the effect leading to discouragement and loss of motivation. Thus, a negative stress mindset could be associated with a mental health decrease due to the reduced capacity to identify potential solutions to changes and gather the necessary energy to act. The bigger picture is that the negative stress mindset has a strong detrimental effect on mental health.
Fifthly, people with mental health conditions suffer from the mindset of social isolation. According to Elraz’s study published in the journal titled Human Relations, people with depression and anxiety tend to be socially excluded due to stigmatization of their conditions, worsening their mental health (727). In addition, the author states that an identity mindset has a substantial impact on socialization (Elraz 738). The analysis of the main point and its evidence reveals that socialization prepares individuals for participation in a social group by imparting its rules and expectations. The social satisfaction associated with social validation can potentially address distress from fear. Socialization has three primary objectives: teaching impulse control and building a conscience, educating individuals to execute specific social tasks, and establishing shared meaning and value. The positive mental attitude of persons with mental illness might be critical in developing effective mental health management and the skills involved. Social isolation might be contributing to the general loss of socialization and failures of persons with mental disorders. A negative social isolationist mindset might restrict an individual’s ability to connect with society, increasing the likelihood of mental health disorders. Observing a person’s social behavior and providing appropriate social support to improve the quality of life can be necessary for good mental health. The bigger picture is that mental well-being is deeply and profoundly affected by social isolation.
Sixthly, a positive mindset on socialization in people with mental health conditions benefits improves their mental well-being. According to Elraz’s research, the positive mindset in people with mental illness drives the development of efficient mental health management and the skills included (722). The researcher found that a positive mindset helps change the perception of people with mental conditions and contributes to their overall socialization and professional realization (739). The analysis of the evidence, as well as the application of critical thinking to the positive socialization mindset, reveals that there is truth to the information presented above. In modern society, there is often an opinion that for happiness, a person needs a lot of money, a good education, external attractiveness, a warm climate, and quality housing. However, paying attention to the correlates of happiness, one can see a completely opposite picture. All of the above factors can make a person feel better, but most likely, this state will not last long, as there may be no social component. For example, after three months, a person ceases to experience the joy of a promotion at work or receiving a diploma at the university. On the basis of the foregoing, one can conclude that the social environment and the sharing of resources that bring satisfaction lie at the root of the issue. It can be said that happiness is much more dependent on the inner feelings of the individual, his or her characteristic qualities, and socialization in society than on money, prestige, and appearance. The bigger picture is that a positive mindset on socialization benefits mental health.
Seventhly, a mindset based on self-awareness positively impacts mental health. Self-care is unique to each individual and may be interpreted in various ways. According to Sprogis, the expert on self-awareness mindset research, in its most basic form, the phrase alludes to our capacity as humans to operate well in the world while addressing the various obstacles of everyday life with vigor, vitality, and self-assurance (35). These states of awareness are required to instill the grit mindset. The knowledge of a self-awareness mindset is essential for identifying prospective methods to enhance mental health (Sprogis 84). Conscious thought control and imagery have been recommended in stress management as the mind control intervention that relieves stress and minimizes illness risk (Sprogis 141). According to proponents of this method in psychotherapy, the most immediate result of mindful meditation is a rapid surge of energy (Sprogis 176). As a result, the commentary can be made on the importance of a self-awareness mindset in facilitating mental well-being. For example, a person with a self-aware mindset can have better objective knowledge about himself or herself. Logically, it can help him or her to avoid indulgences or abnormal behaviors, which can be destructive to mental health. In addition, self-awareness might promote gratitude and create a grateful mindset accompanied by happiness and satisfaction with life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the mindset has a major influence on an individual’s mental health. The analysis in the given essay showcased this central claim by providing evidence on grit mindset, stress mindset, and socialization mindset. To summarize the key supporting ideas, having a strong grit mindset is beneficial for mental health, but the lack of it is detrimental, causing anxiety. Similarly, having a positive stress mindset improves mental well-being through superior coping skills. A socialization mindset helps people with mental conditions to better their mental health, whereas social isolation worsens the symptoms. Thus, mindset can influence mental state differently, and it can help understand what mindsets contribute to mental health improvement and which may have adverse effects. The implication of this essay is that people should regulate and manage their mindset to ensure they are mentally healthy.
Works Cited
Burnette, Jeni L., et al. “Growth Mindset and Psychological Distress: A Meta-analysis.” Clinical Psychology Review, vol. 77, 2020, pp. 1-53.
Casper, Anne, et al. “Mindset Matters: The Role of Employees’ Stress Mindset for Day-Specific Reactions to Workload Anticipation.” European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, vol. 26, no. 6, 2017, pp. 798-810.
Elraz, Hadar. “Identity, Mental Health and Work: How Employees with Mental Health Conditions Recount Stigma and the Pejorative Discourse of Mental Health.” Human Relations, vol. 71, no. 5, 2017, pp. 722-741.
Schroder, Hans S., et al. “Growth Mindset of Anxiety Buffers the Link Between Stressful Life Events and Psychological Distress and Coping Strategies.” Personality and Individual Differences, vol. 110, 2017, pp. 23-26.
Schroder, Hans S., et al. “The Fixed Mindset of Anxiety Predicts Future Distress: A Longitudinal Study.” Behavior Therapy, vol. 50, no. 4, 2019, pp. 710-717.
Sprogis, Rudy. The Self-Reflection Habit. Leading Questions, 2020.
Tague, Gregory F. “The Sustainability Mindset Principles: A Guide to Developing a Mindset for a Better World” Leonardo, vol.4, no. 3, 2022, pp. 205-208.