psychology
4 characteristics of people who are mentally healthy
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What makes a mentally healthy person? Scientists have summarized the most important personality traits related to mental health.
“Everyone is the master of his own luck,” is a popular saying. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. How happy and mentally healthy we are depends on a variety of factors. A group of psychologists from different universities worked in one Article for the “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology” examined the personality traits of the so-called Big Five (open-mindedness, conscientiousness, extraversion, social compatibility and neuroticism) and worked out in which combinations and sub-stages the key traits can support mental health. These are the results of the investigation.
Psychologically healthy people have these 4 personality traits
1. Openness to feelings
The researchers’ study showed that mentally healthy people can classify and reflect on their feelings well. They are also empathetic towards others and can also empathize and understand the emotions of those around them.
2. Enthusiasm
Mentally balanced people also have a high level of enthusiasm. The psychologists analyzed this as part of extraversion, i.e. sociability and interpersonal behavior, and found that mentally healthy people can honestly be happy – for themselves and for others.
3. Honesty
The third point relates to social compatibility. The study has shown that mentally healthy people are honest with those around them. Although they don’t want to hurt anyone unnecessarily, they remain honest even in difficult situations and don’t hide the truth.
4. Low tendency to neuroticism
Psychologically strong people – unsurprisingly – have a low tendency to neuroticism, which means they are emotionally stable rather than unstable. They suffer less from illnesses such as anxiety, depression, etc. Those who have a low level of neuroticism are more relaxed and calm.
According to the study, mentally healthy people have a combination of these character traits. You are more content, more optimistic and happier. They show less aggression, anger and impulsivity than other people.
What you can do if you don’t have (all) the typical characteristics of mentally healthy people
Does that mean that anyone who doesn’t have these qualities or only has them to a small extent is simply unlucky? No. Because even if we cannot directly influence our basic personality traits, we can certainly work on certain characteristics and learn to deal with them better.
A first step can be to think intensively about your personality. Anyone who analyzes their Big Five learns which action patterns dominate their behavior. That doesn’t mean we have to follow these patterns blindly. For example, if you know that you have high levels of neuroticism, you may ruminate a lot and be more prone to anxiety and stress than others. But there are many tools to help you deal with these issues better – such as psychotherapy, yoga or meditation.
Because even if we cannot completely change our personality, it is certainly possible to work on certain points. And of course we shouldn’t do that because we aren’t good enough the way we are – but because we make life easier for ourselves when we are mentally stronger and more balanced.
Source used: Psychology Today