In my family, mental health is woven into our very fabric. We have a rich lineage of therapists, psychologists, and compassionate mentors stemming from our family tree. Our dinner table conversations are adorned with discussions of CBT, psychoanalysis, and the most effective approaches to mental health care. We even playfully diagnose each other, as if it were a friendly game of I-spy. “It’s because of your trauma,” my sister would jest when I vent about something trifling.

Despite being immersed in a wealth of expertise, I stumbled upon my own personal creed quite serendipitously. It was imparted to me by my high school teacher on a particularly trying day. She counselled us, saying, “If you feel like you hate everyone, have something to eat. If you believe everyone loathes you, go to sleep.”

Now, whenever the weight of the world starts to bear down on me, I turn to my mantra and introspect, “Do I require sustenance or is it time for slumber?” Remarkably, a simple snack or a brief nap often unveils a more balanced perspective. A humble banana or a muesli bar has the power to diminish the enormity of my troubles.

Naturally, I am not insinuating that a snack can resolve all my tribulations. I wholeheartedly believe in therapy, medication, and a comprehensive approach to mental health. Yet, there is an inherent tranquility in the unassuming advice to “Have something to eat” or “Go to sleep” during those tumultuous moments.

At times, I perceive myself as an impossibly knotted bundle of nerves and emotions. However, when I recite my mantra, it serves as a gentle reminder that life is often less complex than I make it out to be. As intricate as I may appear, I am also just a human being in need of a touch of self-care – and at times, that means reaching for a simple banana.