Navigating Mental Health Through The Lens Of Wisdom

The pursuit of wisdom has been a component of human life across millennia, yet the true definition of this concept can seem elusive. However you choose to define it, wisdom can be a guiding force toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and our mental well-being. When navigating mental health challenges, you may turn to wisdom as an enrichment tool for fostering overall growth, in addition to seeking professional care and support. Below, we’ll explore the definition of wisdom, its roots in ancient teachings, and the role it can play in mental health. 

A wisdom definition

Wisdom, in essence, is the ability to make beneficial judgments and decisions by understanding people, things, and situations based on past experiences combined with a sense of ethics and humanity. Spiritual and practical wisdom are not to be confused with knowledge, which is simply the awareness of facts or information gained through methods like reading or listening. Wisdom goes one step deeper than knowledge as the ability to combine knowledge, empathy, introspection, and personal and shared experience to reflect on situations before taking action. 

The same research suggests that wisdom could play a vital role in building a more productive and beneficial society. By acknowledging the role practical wisdom may play in our everyday lives, we may be able to extend its significance beyond a philosophical principle and utilize it for practical benefits.

Ancient wisdom

Ancient wisdom refers to the integrated knowledge, teachings, and insights passed down through generations. This kind of wisdom is rooted in diverse cultures, philosophies, and traditions from across the globe. Many of these ancient wisdoms speak to human resilience, self-understanding, and the nature of our relationships with each other and the world. As science begins to expand and more people take more of an interest in these potentially life-changing insights, many ancient wisdoms are now being validated through scientific literature.  

The connection between wisdom and mental health

Wisdom has the potential to play a substantial role in mental health. Again, wisdom is not just about accumulating knowledge, but about understanding and applying knowledge and experience to facilitate personal growth and enhance overall well-being. Recent research suggests that wisdom may even serve as a protective factor against some subclinical psychotic symptoms. Essentially, this means that wisdom—including deep understanding, empathy, emotional regulation, and sound decision-making—may help decrease the impact of certain mental health conditions or challenges. 

Given this potential of wisdom, individuals may decide to seek professional mental health care to build skills related to it—such as emotional regulation and empathy. A trained mental health professional can help clients understand where they may lack wisdom and work together to cultivate thought and behavior patterns that can build related skills over time. In this way, therapy can help people address challenges with thoughtful and practical understanding and reflection.

Learning from the wisdom of others to promote mental health

Gaining wisdom from the perspectives of others can significantly broaden our perspectives and catalyze our personal growth. Engaging with people who have had diverse experiences can allow us to see beyond our own limitations and foster empathy, understanding, and general wisdom. Through this process, we can draw on other people’s advice, guidance, and experience to navigate our own life challenges. 

The value of relating to and learning from others can be applied to mental health, too. For example, if you’ve recently had a child and are experiencing mental health challenges post-childbirth, speaking with someone who has children and has navigated similar emotional challenges may be able to give helpful advice and validate your experience.

Support groups can also provide a sense of community and an opportunity for shared, constructive wisdom. Research suggests that professional-led support groups and similar opportunities to come together and learn from others can produce positive benefits for those living with mental health challenges. However, note that simply gaining wisdom from others—particularly in a non-clinical setting—should not be seen as an alternative to formal therapy for those experiencing a mental health condition or challenge. It’s recommended that anyone experiencing these seek the support of a trained mental health professional.

Wisdom in therapy

A therapist can help you identify and utilize your own inherent wisdom while fostering resilience and healthy emotional practices related to wisdom as well. An example of a modern, research-based practice many therapists use today is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals identify and reframe negative thoughts into more realistic and productive ones while cultivating self-awareness and wisdom in the process. Some may also recommend ancient practices like yoga and meditation alongside these modern techniques.

Those who are interested in getting support for mental health challenges through therapy can typically choose between in-person and online care. Online therapy in particular has become more popular in recent years as it offers a more flexible and convenient way to seek out mental health support without geographic barriers. This format can be particularly useful for those with demanding schedules or financial concerns related to travel, or those who simply feel more comfortable expressing themselves from the safety of home.

Plus, several research studies suggest that online CBT can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy for treating a variety of mental health disorders, including depression, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Whether you choose to pursue in-person or virtual treatment, mental health therapy with a trained provider can be a powerful tool for improving mental health overall and pursuing a lifestyle guided by wisdom.