Today is World Mental Health today so to mark the occasion I am delving into the question of how following a vegan lifestyle impacts our mental health.
Vystopia
Vystopia is the word coined by psychologist Claire Mann to describe the trauma and anguish we experience when we realise the vast scale of animal suffering and exploitation. This is something vegans can experience at the start of their journey and throughout. Our concern for non-human animals can impact our well-being, bringing feelings of despair and making it harder to experience happiness or enjoy the things we used to. Furthermore, we can lose faith in humanity because others continue to consume animal products and seem not to care about the unimaginable suffering and pain that farmed and other exploited animals experience. This can impact our relationships, leading to questioning our friendships and family ties.
However, being vegan can bring a sense of relief that we are no longer participating in this cruelty, and we are now part of the solution. The feelings of unease or guilt we had about consuming animals and their secretions diminish as we embrace our new lifestyle. We are no longer economically supporting this exploitative system and are making a compassionate choice every time we eat. Taking a few moments to pause each time we eat and think about the wonderful plant-based foods we are putting in our bodies can help foster this good feeling.
Helping animals in other ways can also be beneficial – whether this is becoming involved in activism, volunteering in an animal sanctuary or supporting these groups financially. This not only helps the animals but can bring a sense of active hope.
Social situations
Friends, family, and other people we interact with can make being vegan more difficult, by questioning our choices and even mocking or bullying us. We may experience online abuse when we share vegan-related content on social media. We might find some situations awkward, and feel that we constantly have to challenge things and make our voices heard. We might feel guilty when we do speak up – because someone might be upset, offended, or put out -but we may also feel guilty when we don’t, feeling we have let the animals down. Constantly dealing with these situations can be emotionally exhausting, and we might find ourselves dwelling on them.
Self-compassion is important here when reflecting on how these situations have gone. If you feel the conversation could have gone better, use this as a learning tool rather than one to beat yourself up. Often conversations with friends, family and colleagues can be positive and give us the chance to pass on what we know. Most people are curious rather than hostile, and while it might be tiresome to explain and answer the same questions over and over, for the asker this is new.
Becoming involved in the vegan community can help you to feel less isolated, and feel part of a movement. Spending time with like-minded people can recharge your batteries and bring a feeling of well-being. Joining a vegan group can be a great way to connect with others and build new social connections, which has been shown to benefit mental health and longevity.
Eat your greens
Diet significantly influences mental well-being. Consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables— common in a vegan diet—has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression. In contrast, processed foods high in sugar and fat are associated with inflammation, which is linked to an increased risk of depression. A healthy vegan diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, pulses, and whole grains, provides antioxidants and polyphenols that may help lower the risk of depression.
Additionally, animal-based products contain arachidonic acid, a pro-inflammatory compound that can negatively affect mental health by triggering neuroinflammation, potentially worsening depression.
Living in a non vegan world
It’s important to understand that Vystopia and the challenges faced in social situations are not a result of being vegan; they stem from living in a non-vegan, speciesist society where animals are viewed as commodities, and where the majority participate in this system. Embracing a vegan lifestyle and acknowledging that animals are conscious beings who deserve life just as much as we do is the solution.
However, adapting to this reality can be challenging at times, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help navigating life in a non-vegan world.