Mental Hygiene

More about Mental Hygiene

I speak as a tationalist, and therefore I begin from what I consider a fact, not an opinion: the mind is a cognitive instrument. If it is not maintained in optimal condition, it produces inaccurate results. Mental hygiene is the process through which I preserve the efficiency of this instrument.

When I observe an emotional state arise, I do not deny it, nor do I repress it in a disordered manner. I recognize it as a transient phenomenon. An emotion is a neurochemical response to a stimulus, not a mandatory directive for behavior. My practice of mental hygiene consists in identifying the emotion, analyzing its cause, and evaluating its impact on my decision-making process. If the emotion does not improve my ability to act coherently with my objectives, I allow it to dissipate.

I have learned that unmanaged emotions introduce cognitive distortion. They alter risk assessment, narrow the range of available options, and favor impulsive reactions. For this reason, I dedicate time to mental discipline: meditation, breath control, and structured reflection. These practices are not intended to eliminate emotion, but to prevent it from dominating logical thought.

When I find myself in situations that place emotional strain upon me—loss, conflict, uncertainty, emotional blackmailing—mental hygiene becomes essential. In such circumstances, immediate reaction is rarely optimal. Mental discipline creates a pause between stimulus and action. Within that pause, I can choose a rational response rather than an automatic reaction. This reduces error and increases the likelihood of a functional outcome.

I also regard mental hygiene as a preventive measure. The accumulation of unanalyzed emotional states generates long-term instability. To wait for collapse before intervening would be illogical. Just as I maintain my body to ensure physical efficiency, I maintain my mind to ensure clarity and continuity of thought.

I must clarify a common misunderstanding among people: mental discipline does not imply the absence of empathy. On the contrary, it allows me to understand the emotional state of others without being overwhelmed by it. This renders my actions more coherent, more just, and more effective.

In conclusion, I practice mental hygiene because logic requires it. An unmaintained mind is an unstable system. An unstable system compromises every subsequent decision.
Mental discipline is not an aesthetic or moral choice; it is a functional necessity.