May 3, 2018    =========

☆  protect  守る

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To protect something or someone, means to prevent them from being harmed or damaged. Now how can you use this in a conversation about mental care? Easily! You can talk about protecting yourself from other people that might upset you or bully you. Usually we talk about protecting ourselves by setting boundaries.

One way to protect your mental health from harm by others, is called the “bean dip” method. I learned this recently and love it! If someone asks you a question that you don’t want to answer, you use the bean dip method. What it means is that you answer briefly, without giving any more detail than you want to, and then change the subject. This way, you can protect your own mental health from harm from others. Here’s an example:

A: How did you score on the Toeic test last time?
You: Great! Thanks for asking. Isn’t the weather strange/great/hot/cold these days.

Or at a party (with bean dip!)

A: When are you getting married??
You: When the time is right. Have you tried the bean dip (or whatever food you are eating), it’s delicious!

Try using this “bean dip” technique, whenever you want to change the subject to protect yourself and your mental health from others.

Bye,

Chris