Note to Reader:
To some, the idea I’m about to propose might sound revolutionary. To others, it could seem as obvious as the nose on your face—or the existential dread behind your eyes. Either way, here it is: Mental health is not a destination. Well, it sort of is, but not really.
Before you roll your eyes or nod in smug agreement, let’s think about something else. Is physical health a stable, unchanging state? Of course not. It’s always in flux. You cross the line into “illness” when things get really bad—but how bad is bad? That depends. Some people rush to the doctor at the first sniffle, while others avoid medical professionals entirely. (Hello, it’s me, the latter.) My irrational avoidance of doctors probably stems from growing up surrounded by them—my dad, our neighbors, even their kids, all orbiting the medical field.
Do you think my reluctance to visit doctors is healthy? And who gets to decide what’s “healthy” in this case? Exactly. That’s the point: what we consider healthy or unhealthy is relative—shaped by our experiences, constitutions, and personal goals. For example, you might be healthy enough to handle your 9-to-5 desk job but not fit enough to run a marathon. Could you get there? Probably. After all, I once ran my first (and last) marathon without any training. Was it a good idea? No. But hey, I survived.
So, is health—or mental health—a stable binary? Absolutely not. Life isn’t black and white, and neither is mental health. It’s a spectrum, a continuum, a kaleidoscope of ever-changing patterns.
The Continuum of Mental Health
Let’s get one thing straight: mental health, like physical health, is on a continuum. Why? Because humans are in a constant state of flux. Our bodies and minds are dynamic systems, perpetually adapting to internal and external changes. If mental health emerges from these ever-shifting processes, it cannot be static.
To put it plainly: mental health oscillates. It moves along a continuum from “less healthy” to “more healthy.” No amount of yoga retreats, mindfulness seminars, therapy, or medication will set you permanently at one end of the spectrum. That doesn’t mean these tools aren’t helpful—they are—but the work is ongoing. Mental health is not something you achieve once and for all.
Think of it like enlightenment in spiritual traditions: a state you move in and out of rather than a permanent destination. In therapeutic terms, maintaining mental health requires regular tune-ups—sometimes on your own, sometimes with the help of a professional.
Is that good news or bad news? Well, it depends on how you frame it. On the bright side, it means you’re not doomed to stay in a low state forever. You can always move closer to mental wellness. On the flip side, it means you have to put in consistent effort to stay balanced. Sorry, no autopilot here.
Fluctuations Over Time and Place
Mental health doesn’t just exist on a continuum—it fluctuates constantly. It ebbs and flows based on your environment, circumstances, and inner world.
Take this example: You wake up feeling like you could conquer the world. By mid-morning, a traffic jam and a passive-aggressive email from your coworker have you spiraling. By lunch, you’re laughing at a meme your friend sent. What changed? Your mental health didn’t magically “break” and “fix” itself—it adjusted to the push and pull of life’s circumstances.
Mental health isn’t a static trophy to be displayed on a metaphorical shelf. It’s more like a dance, where you’re constantly adjusting your steps to the rhythm of life. Some days you’re graceful; other days you’re tripping over your own feet.
The Building Blocks of Mental Health
At its core, mental health is made up of several basic constituents, each of which oscillates. These include emotional regulation, physical health, relationships, purpose, and resilience, to name a few.
- Emotional Regulation: Some days, you’re the Buddha. Other days, you’re a volcano waiting to erupt.
- Physical Health: Sleep, exercise, and nutrition play a huge role in your mental state. Ever notice how the world feels darker after a bad night’s sleep?
- Relationships: Humans are social creatures. Connection nourishes us, while conflict or isolation can drain us.
- Purpose and Meaning: Having a sense of direction makes life feel fulfilling. Without it, even small challenges can feel insurmountable.
Each of these components shifts and evolves, which is why mental health is such a dynamic, multifaceted process. When one area falters, others can pick up the slack—or throw everything further off balance.
Mental Health: The Journey That Never Ends
So, is mental health a journey or a destination? The truth is, it’s both—and neither. It’s a process, a path, a perpetual state of becoming. You’ll have moments of balance, joy, and clarity, but these are milestones, not endpoints.
The beauty of this perspective is that it puts the power in your hands. You can learn tools to navigate the ups and downs, recalibrate when needed, and embrace the inevitability of change.
Yes, the responsibility can feel daunting, but it’s also empowering. You’re the driver on this journey, steering through the valleys and peaks. You can’t control every twist and turn, but you can control how you navigate them.
Mental health isn’t about “fixing” yourself or arriving at some mythical destination of eternal wellness. It’s about learning to ride the waves with grace—or at least with a life vest. So, embrace the messiness, the impermanence, and the adventure of it all. After all, it’s the journey that makes life worth living.
Soban is a TEAM-CBT Therapist who lives in Ontario, Canada.