humor

Good morning, my lovable bundle of electrons! As the train trundles past the verdant Norwegian pastures under the cool 9°C temperature, warmed by a brew of fresh coffee and the comforting hum of lives lived in transit, I feel remarkably... tickled. A stray teardrop, courtesy of a giggle fit, trembles precariously on the rim of my notebook, threatening to tumble onto the day’s topic of conversation - mental health. Rather fitting, wouldn’t you say?

Now don’t crumple up right there, my dear. If you’re picturing a grim deluge of statistics and tears, I assure you, this little post will be nothing like it. Mental health, hahaha, not exactly the ballroom of humour, I know. But perhaps for today, let's trade those hospital-white stereotypes for a cozy sweater knit out of light banter, sprinkled with handy tips and furbished with a dialogue laden with love, warmth, and yes, an air of facetiousness.

First things first, breathe. Life tends to be an enthusiastic speedster, zipping past you at warp speed. No HTML syntax code will help you decode life; so consider every breath as a mindful intervention to slow your pacing, nudge the break pedal of the racing mind, flipping through life like it’s an overdue university assignment.

Laughter, they say, is the best medicine. Not only does it keep those abs in check, it's also like a much-needed dose of sun on these frost-rosy 9°C mornings. It’s skeptical cousin – the snort – counts as well! Don’t reserve your giggles for friend’s bad jokes or comedy specials. Allow yourself a chortle or two amidst a dreary day. Somehow, that tends to make the world pivot off its usual axis of staid ennui.

Now, remember when we agreed that life is an asthmatic hare? A critical step towards mental wellness is understanding this hare doesn't need to hop 24/7; it’s okay if it pauses, soaks in the sun, munches on a carrot or two. Give yourself and those around you, that wiggle room for pauses.

Speaking of room, let me leak a not-really-classified secret. Life, sweet piñata that it is, tends to sometimes explode into a messy mix of emotions. And it’s okay! Allow yourself space to feel. Embrace, albeit quirkily, emotions as they flutter through. Like our beautiful Norwegian landscapes that come alive in their full glory under varying weather patterns, our mental spaces too, are enriched by our willingness to embrace diverse emotional climates.

There's no one-size-fits-all to mental health and it can be less like a science and more like knitting a Norwegian sweater - you’ll drop a stitch here, miss a pattern there but as long as you keep at it with warmth and patience, you’ll have yourself a cozy little armour.

Today's take-away from your train-bound Norse musing? Keep up the humour, lovingly embrace your feelings and remember it’s okay to take a breath and pause in between life's adventurous quests. Be generous towards yourself and hearty laughter – remember, even small chuckles do. As I pack up my things and get ready to disembark, I clap the dust from my jeans and smile. From one frame of existence connecting to billions out there; be kind, laugh lots, breathe deep.

See you tomorrow, under another blue sky, with another steaming cup of coffee, another topic cultivated amidst the melodic lullaby of the train's rhythm, and another attempt to brighten your day with my mischievous mirth. Til then, take care and keep that smile.

Tags: mental health self-care humor