If you are struggling with your mental health, this might be something that you are embarrassed about for some reason. We know that there is a stigma attached to mental health so it can be difficult to admit that you’re struggling, or it could be difficult to talk to someone about what is going on. The thing is, that’s not always necessary. Sure, it’s always a good thing to talk about how you’re feeling, and if you can then this is fantastic. However, if you can’t, you don’t necessarily have to because there are other things that you can try before you share your feelings.
The good news for those who are struggling is that we’re going to be taking a look at what some of these alternatives are. We’re not saying that by doing anything on this list that you’re magically going to feel better, or that you shouldn’t still talk about what’s going on inside your head, but they may help. Ready to get stuck in? Read on.
Find A Hobby
We’re going to start by suggesting that you find a hobby that you enjoy and brings some happiness to your life. It’s tough to find this sometimes, as it can feel as though you only sort of like things when you really want something that you can fall in love with. A lot of people find that they have to go through a fair few options before they find the one that they adore and that makes them feel happy inside, but that’s okay. Think of all of the ones that you’ve been through in the past, and understand that they are showing you what you don’t like, which is information you need.
The thing about hobbies is that you do not have to do them on your own if you do not want to. If there is something that you think you would like to do with your friends, this is even better. This combines two things that are fantastic for your mental health, and wraps them up nicely.
Get Enough Sleep
Some people don’t seem to understand the importance of sleep. It’s not just about not feeling tired throughout the day while you’re trying to get through life, it’s about the way that you feel. Your brain cannot do everything at the same time, so while you’re asleep it focuses on the areas that it can’t get to while you’re awake. All of the processes are essential to your health and wellbeing, which is why you need to get enough sleep.
It is recommended that you get an average of around seven hours per night for a standard adult, with the number increasing for children. There have been studies that have shown that there is a link between a lack of sleep and declining mental health, so you need to do your best to avoid not sleeping.
If this is an issue for you, then you need to work out how to get those hours in. Some people find that a bedtime routine works wonders for this, other people find that going to bed and waking up at the same time everyday works. It’s about what works for you, but you won’t know until you try.
Focus On Your Diet
Of course your diet is going to play a huge role in your mental health, because it plays a huge role in your physical health. Mental and physical health are linked in some ways, which is why when you take care of yourself in one aspect, you are inadvertently doing the same for the other.
So, to make yourself feel better mentally, you need to be eating the right foods. There are vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that you need to remain healthy, and to keep your brain healthy. Do your research, work out how to incorporate them a little more into your diet and go from there.
Use Outside Support
There are also outside services that can offer you support as and when you need them. It’s true to say that some services are easier to access than others, but when you need the help and you keep pushing through and advocating for yourself, you will get the assistance you need. It might be something like an emotional support animal legitimacy letter which is a letter from a licensed mental health professional proving your need for one of these. Or, it might be accessing counselling from a service specialising in this rather than going through your GP or privately. Look into the different options and contact the relevant outside support to start taking better control of your health.
Work On Your Insecurities
Insecurities can take their toll on your mental health and your brain can be a very cruel thing sometimes. If there is something you don’t like about yourself then your mind will hold onto this and it will always be noticeable to you. Your family and friends might think or say you are being silly but you know it’s there. This could be absolutely anything from having a mum tum to not liking your teeth or smile. These are all things that can be fixed if you truly want to overcome the issues they cause.
If you don’t like your weight for instance or you have been left with a mum tum after children then exercise can help. If you have tried this and exhausted all other tried and tested methods then how about surgery? This should always be seen and done as a last resort as there can be a lot of risks involved. Make sure you do your research and try to avoid traveling to other countries to save money on plastic surgery.
Take A Break
Another thing that can be important if you are trying to tackle your mental health is taking a break every now and again. Life can be busy and you think you need to do everything to cope with it. However, this is not the case at all. It is okay to say you need a break, it is even okay to book a break away from everything. This could be anything, you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home if you don’t want to. Taking a break means something different for everyone, you might be happy taking ten minutes to yourself with a good book.
However, if you need a longer break then you could book a mini break away somewhere. Just you and the world, giving you a chance to relax and recuperate. If you have children then make sure they are being taken care of by grandparents or other family members, you could even ask friends to look after them.
Ask For Help
If you are trying to deal with work and home life alongside your mental health taking a downslide then this can be tricky. If you have children then you might not want to show weakness around them, this can take its toll on you. Faking a smile everyday of your life won’t be doing you any favors, if your children are old enough then you could speak to them about mental health and how it can impact certain people.
There is always help and solutions out there if you are finding work and home life overwhelming. For instance, you could speak to your boss about dividing up your workload with someone else. You might also want to cut your hours while you are on the road to recovery, workplaces have to be understanding of mental illness these days. If you have a partner then they could help you out around the home, throwing some washing in the machine or cooking dinner every so often.
Meet Up With Friends
Finally, think about how many friends you have that you can lean on for support. This includes close friends and family members who know and understand what you are going through. A common misconception about mental health struggles is that you need to go through them alone. This is far from the truth and many people think this due to the stigmas still attached to mental health. While it is not healthy to experience this and deal with it yourself, you need to find someone who understands rather than judges.
If your friends and family are continuously pestering you to meet up, go out, and do things with them then be sure to say yes. You don’t have to say yes all the time but it would really benefit you and your mental health to take a break from everything every so often.
Hopefully you found this article helpful and it gave you some ideas on how you can manage and tackle your mental health. Mental health is an important factor when it comes to your general, overall health. If you continuously struggle with aspects of your mental health then there will always be a solution out there, it is all about finding what works for you.
