Mental health issues are something that a lot of people suffer with, and it can be challenging to get through. Having a support system to reach out to when you need it most and being able to talk to a professional if the issue is getting you down a lot is so important. But that’s not to say there are no ways we can’t help ourselves, even a little when going through hard times.
It’s not easy to be able to pull through a depressive stage, but with the right amount of support and being able to help yourself even if you genuinely feel like you can’t help in such a significant way. Remember that it’s not okay to be okay; giving yourself a break will benefit you immensely.
1) Make time for yourself
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Make time to do the things you’ve wanted to do for a while, whether that’s sorting through your wardrobe, watching a new TV show, playing your favourite game, cooking up some yummy food, have a bubble bath, have a self-care evening, read a book, do some yoga and treat yourself. It’s OK to take time off to unwind and think about yourself for a change, and it will give your mind a world of sound and your body.
Deep breathing is also a constructive way of relieving stress and calming down. Listening to music has many benefits; perhaps doing something distracting can cause you to get lost.
2) Cut out toxic people
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The worst thing to do when you’re suffering from mental health problems and you’re surrounding yourself with toxic and damaging people it can make things a lot worse. It’s important to know that cutting off poisonous people is ok, and it’s one of the most significant steps to make you feel better. When you’re struggling mentally and then talking to others about it, they don’t tend to shed a positive light and just constantly put you down or say you’re attention-seeking, and they are the people who should be cut off.
In life, we all deserve to have people who will be there for us in our darkest times and in hopes we can do the same for them. Having people around who continue to show toxic behaviour isn’t worth your friendship and can make your mental health a lot worse. It’s hard sometimes to realise who is poisonous and who’s not.
If you have someone who tends to control you or may belittle you, then this is what a toxic relationship is. If it ends up being that they’re making you feel anxious, depressed or making you doubt your self-worth, then it might be time to consider cutting that person off.
3) Excercise
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We hear this a lot about exercise and more exercise, and it’s recommended for many things in life. But it doesn’t only make your body healthier and your physique better; it also does wonders for your mental well-being. You don’t have to go overboard or spend loads of money; you can work out for free and do whatever type of exercise you prefer at the pace that suits you.
It can be a half-hour walk and getting out into nature, or if you’d rather exercise inside, there are tons of YouTube videos to join in to. Suppose you’re just starting with exercise and need help figuring out how to begin or where. Many workout videos offer beginner workouts that people can do if they’d prefer to keep it at a more moderate pace. Any exercise gets your sweat on and gets you feeling good, and that’s the benefit of it. You don’t have to be an athlete to have a great workout and feel good afterwards.
You don’t have to feel pressured to exercise to ‘look good’. You can do it to boost energy or help you have a healthy mind. Sweat the bad mood away and either put in your music and go for a walk in the fresh air or turn on a YouTube video and work out for half an hour. You’ll feel much better within the first five minutes or so. When you exercise, your body releases stress-relieving and mood-boosting endorphins before and after you work out. Remember, any exercise is better than nothing, and it’s about how your body and mind will feel afterwards.
4) Giving to others
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Giving can be very rewarding for anyone, and it might make you feel a lot if you do something for someone else. If you see what you do as something that makes someone else smile, then that’ll make you feel good. It’ll make you feel happy knowing you’ve put your time into helping and seeing the positive results.
It’s always best to volunteer for something you enjoy and are passionate about, perhaps a charity, a care home, a soup kitchen, or something else. It may also be good to get together with people you know who have been having a difficult time, talk about things, and help each other, and that could be through a volunteer group or someone you meet. Not only does it help you mentally but also physically because you’re moving around.
You can also thank someone for something they have done for you, spend time with friends and family who need support, and show how grateful you are. You’ll feel accomplished afterwards.
5) Manage stress
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Stress is often tough to avoid, and it creeps up on us at the worst of times. It can be difficult to avoid certain situations that would put you in a stressful position. However, knowing what triggers your stress and how to cope is essential for maintaining good mental health. You can try to make a list of what you’ve got coming up, and if it has to do with a workload, set specific days to give yourself time to have a little break.
If you’re faced with a stressful situation, it can be challenging to get out of it. It’s best to write down your worries; you’ll soon see they can be managed. It’s best not to get yourself down about stressful situations and not let them take a toll on your mood. You can just face them up and ensure you can get through it.
Don’t forget if you’re struggling with anything mental health-related and it’s impacting you and your life, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. It’s ok not to be ok.
If you’re looking for online counselling or walk-and-talk therapy, whether you’re a parent looking for your children, you need it, or you’re a student or anyone struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Becky. You can access contact details here. Check out the website for more information and what there is to offer.
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