![mental-health-3285625_1280.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmfRYocrXMMCv3rEvJbZdtegiGK66bHVmBuCD7fDcCDHnY/mental-health-3285625_1280.png)

We humans have been blessed with a unique gift. A gift that has not been seen in any other species. I am, of course, talking about intelligence. It's because of this trait of ours that our lives are not limited to just survival.

Thanks to our brains, we have managed to do so much more than we had ever thought possible. In fact, we keep surprising ourselves by pushing the boundaries of what we think is possible on a regular basis.

It is no doubt that our minds are our biggest ally. However, I am sure that many a time, you must have felt quite the opposite. Even good things can lead to bad consequences if not used judiciously.

Every now and then we are reminded of why and how our minds can turn out to be our own worst enemy. It's a pity. Such a wonderful thing and we allow it to work against us.

# Stuck In A Mental Prison
#####

Our brains have a really impressive ability to remember past events. In vivid detail, I might add. It also has the ability to imagine the future and dream of things we would like to achieve. Again, in vivid details.

Both these are useful qualities to have. One allows us to learn and apply those lessons that we have learnt in the past. Another allows us to have something to work towards. However, both these can also form a mental prison, escaping which can get really difficult.

You see, when we think about the past, we tend to think of all the bad things that have happened to us. Things like pain, suffering, betrayal, losses, and so much more. The gravity of this past can be really strong.

The same goes for when we are trying to imagine the future. It can lead to stress and anxiety, especially if we have steered off our planned course or we have failed to reach the milestones that we had set for ourselves. Also, the uncertainty of the future can be another sticking point.

So, basically, what has happened and what is yet to happen can both throw us into the arms of distress and depression. So many people struggle due to this on a daily basis. It is quite alarming, to be honest.

Fortunately, there are ways to get out of the mental prison. Meditation, talking to loved ones, therapy, travelling, taking time off, and so many more ways can help calm our minds and make us realize that happiness, truly is a state of mind. If we lost it, we can also find it.