Isaac Watts said that “Learning to trust is one of life’s most difficult tasks.” I say it’s not an impossible task, but is certainly one that not only requires practice, but also inspiration to show us just enough evidence we are better off with confidence than doubt. In Buddhism doubt is a huge hindrance because it disrupts mental clarity, faith and commitment necessary to progress on the path of flourishing.

In psychology, trust is an essential component of healthy relationships and societal functioning. It significantly supports mental well-being. Trust can be understood as the belief in the reliability, integrity, and benevolence of others.

Here are key points supported by studies on how trust supports mental well-being:

1. Reduction of Stress and Anxiety

Trust in others reduces stress by creating a sense of security and predictability.

A study by Hostinar, Sullivan, and Gunnar (2014) found that children with secure attachments to caregivers (a form of trust) exhibited lower cortisol levels, indicating reduced stress responses. Trusting relationships provide emotional support, which buffers against stress.

Trust also helps reduce anxiety by fostering a sense of safety and reliability in social interactions.

A study by Dinisman and Ben-Arieh (2016) demonstrated that adolescents who reported higher levels of trust in their parents and peers experienced lower levels of anxiety. Trust in relationships creates a supportive environment that alleviates anxious feelings.

2. Promotion of Psychological Resilience

Trust promotes psychological resilience by providing a reliable support system.

Research by Ozbay et al. (2007) indicated that social support, which relies on trust, is a critical factor in building resilience against stress and trauma. Trusting relationships provide the emotional resources needed to cope with adversity.

Trust is essential for coping with trauma. A study by Bonanno et al. (2002) found that individuals with higher levels of trust in their social network were better able to recover from traumatic experiences.

Trust in others allows for sharing and processing traumatic experiences, facilitating healing.

3. Improvement of Overall Well-Being and Life Satisfaction

Trust is associated with higher overall well-being.

A study by Helliwell and Putnam (2004) found that individuals who reported higher levels of trust in their community also reported higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness. Trust creates a sense of community and belonging, which enhances well-being.

Trust in personal relationships contributes to life satisfaction. Diener and Seligman (2002) showed that people with strong, trust-based relationships reported greater life satisfaction.

Trust in others provides emotional security and fulfilment, leading to a more satisfying life.

The question is: what to do when we can not rely on others? Which is a real thing, therefore the logical alternative is to develop trust in ourselves and/or on something bigger than us, what I will call inner-wisdom which sometimes manifests as our intuition.

In psychology, intuition refers to the ability to understand or know something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. It is often described as a “gut feeling” or an instinctive, quick judgement that arises spontaneously, without the use of analytical thought.

Intuition is typically based on the rapid processing of information that we have accumulated through experience, often occurring at a subconscious level.

Research has shown that intuition is also beneficial for mental health, as self-trust is the foundation for confidence and personal growth.

Here is some evidence:

1. Promotion of Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness

Intuition is closely related to emotional intelligence, which involves understanding and managing one’s own emotions as well as recognizing and influencing the emotions of others.

A study by Sadler-Smith (2004) found that intuitive individuals often exhibit higher emotional intelligence, leading to better interpersonal relationships and enhanced mental well-being.

Intuition fosters self-awareness by helping individuals recognize their true feelings and needs.

A study by Treadway et al. (2004) demonstrated that higher levels of intuition were associated with greater self-awareness and self-acceptance, which are crucial for mental health.

2. Improvement of Mental Health

Intuitive awareness can improve overall mental health by fostering a deeper connection with oneself and one’s needs.

A study by Epstein (2010) found that individuals who trust their intuition experience greater psychological well-being and life satisfaction.

3. Enhancement of Decision-Making

Intuitive decision-making can lead to better outcomes, especially under pressure.

A study by Dijksterhuis et al. (2006) found that individuals who relied on intuition for complex decisions were more satisfied with their choices compared to those who relied solely on analytical thinking. This satisfaction can reduce decision-related stress and enhance overall well-being.

4. Promotion of Interpersonal Relationships

Intuition can improve interpersonal relationships by fostering empathy and understanding.

A study by Gigerenzer (2007) found that intuitive individuals are better at reading social cues and responding appropriately, which enhances the quality of their relationships and contributes to social support and mental well-being.

Conclusion

Trust significantly supports mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety, promoting psychological resilience, improving overall well-being and life satisfaction, as knowing we have someone to count on and the feeling of safety was primordial to our evolution.

However, it is also important to trust our intuition as it supports mental well-being by promoting emotional intelligence and self-awareness, enhancing decision-making and interpersonal relationships.

In case you need further inspiration to trust your inner-wisdom, Albert Einstein might help:
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

If you wish to explore the benefits of trust, join me for the Befriending The Mind workshop, at Love Supreme Projects, on 15th September, where we will be exploring how to develop trust in the process and within yourself. Details to book here.

REFERENCES

Bonanno, G. A., Galea, S., Bucciarelli, A., & Vlahov, D. (2002). What predicts psychological resilience after disaster? The role of demographics, resources, and life stress. *Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70*(2), 310-316.

Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. (2002). Very happy people. *Psychological Science, 13*(1), 81-84.

Dijksterhuis, A., Bos, M. W., Nordgren, L. F., & van Baaren, R. B. (2006). On making the right choice: The deliberation-without-attention effect. *Science, 311*(5763), 1005-1007.

Dinisman, T., & Ben-Arieh, A. (2016). The relationship between material deprivation and self-reported health: The mediating role of social relations and trust. *Social Science & Medicine, 153,* 103-110.

Epstein, S. (2010). Intuition from the perspective of cognitive-experiential self-theory. In H. Plessner, C. Betsch, & T. Betsch (Eds.), *Intuition in judgment and decision making* (pp. 23-37). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

Gigerenzer, G. (2007). *Gut feelings: The intelligence of the unconscious*. Penguin Books.

Helliwell, J. F., & Putnam, R. D. (2004). The social context of well-being. *Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 359*(1449), 1435-1446.

Hostinar, C. E., Sullivan, R. M., & Gunnar, M. R. (2014). Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the social buffering of the HPA axis: A review of animal models and human studies across development. *Psychological Bulletin, 140*(1), 256-282.

Ozbay, F., Johnson, D. C., Dimoulas, E., Morgan, C. A., Charney, D., & Southwick, S. (2007). Social support and resilience to stress: From neurobiology to clinical practice. *Psychiatry (Edgmont), 4*(5), 35-40.

Sadler-Smith, E. (2004). Cognitive style and the management of small and medium-sized enterprises. *Organization Studies, 25*(2), 155-181.

Siedlecki, K. L., Salthouse, T. A., Oishi, S., & Jeswani, S. (2014). The relationship between social support and subjective well-being across age. *Social Indicators Research, 117*(2), 561–576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-013-0361-4

Treadway, D. C., Hochwarter, W. A., Kacmar, C. J., & Ferris, G. R. (2004). Leader political skill and employee reactions. *The Leadership Quarterly, 15*(4), 493-513.