精神衛生 (せいしんえいせい – Seishin Eisei)
This term refers to “mental health” or “mental hygiene,” and is concerned with maintaining and improving mental health.
最近、多くの会社が従業員の精神衛生の重要性に気付き始めています。
(Recently, many companies have begun to recognize the importance of employees’ mental health.)
ストレス (ストレス – Sutoresu)
Borrowed from English, “ストレス” refers to “stress,” which is a common term used in Japan to describe mental or emotional strain.
テストの前には、いつもたくさんのストレスを感じます。
(I always feel a lot of stress before a test.)
不安 (ふあん – Fuan)
This word means “anxiety” or “uneasiness,” and is used to describe feelings of worry about the future or a particular situation.
明日の発表について不安があります。
(I am anxious about tomorrow’s presentation.)
抑うつ (よくうつ – Yokuutsu)
“抑うつ” corresponds to “depression” in English. It’s a clinical term used for a state of low mood and aversion to activity.
彼女は抑うつのためにカウンセリングを受けています。
(She is receiving counseling for depression.)
自己肯定感 (じここうていかん – Jikokouteikan)
This refers to “self-esteem” or “self-affirmation.” It deals with an individual’s subjective evaluation of their own worth.
ポジティブなフィードバックは自己肯定感を高めるのに役立ちます。
(Positive feedback helps to increase self-esteem.)
治療 (ちりょう – Chiryou)
The term “治療” means “treatment” or “therapy” and is used in the context of medical or psychological treatment of conditions.
この病院ではさまざまな精神的な問題の治療を行っています。
(This hospital offers treatment for various mental issues.)
リラックス (リラックス – Rirakkusu)
This is another term borrowed from English, meaning “relax.” It is often used in the context of relieving stress and tension.
週末には好きな音楽を聴いてリラックスするのが好きです。
(I like to listen to my favorite music and relax on the weekends.)
心理学 (しんりがく – Shinrigaku)
This translates to “psychology” and is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.
彼は大学で心理学を専攻していました。
(He majored in psychology at university.)
ポジティブ (ポジティブ – Pojitibu)
Directly derived from the English “positive,” this word is used to describe a positive mindset or outlook on life.
彼女はいつもポジティブな態度を保っている。
(She always maintains a positive attitude.)
メンタルヘルス (メンタルヘルス – Mentaru Herusu)
Also borrowed from English, “メンタルヘルス” specifically means “mental health,” referring to emotional and psychological well-being.
会社は従業員のメンタルヘルスをサポートするプログラムを提供しています。
(The company provides programs to support the employees’ mental health.)
Incorporating these Japanese words related to mental health and wellness into your vocabulary can enrich your understanding of Japanese culture and improve your communication skills on a topic that is increasingly becoming important worldwide. Remember, learning a language is not only about mastering grammar and syntax but also about grasping the nuances of expressing human experiences in that language.
