7 Ways to Prioritize Your Mental Health When Struggling
In a fast-paced world, keeping our mental health in check has become challenging. Can you believe that only a third of Americans believe they are happy? And the roots of mental illnesses lie in deep unhappiness with ourselves and our surroundings.
Hyper-competitiveness and an urge to be wealthier or more successful have led us to ignore our emotions. The concept of hustle culture is silently becoming toxic as people obsess over working harder. It has become necessary to step back and prioritize our mental health over worldly matters. “Why, though?” you might ask. The simplest answer is that our emotional well-being is one of the most significant factors in determining our quality of life.
So mental health holds more significance than we think. Hence, we have prepared a list of ways to prioritize it when you are particularly struggling with something.
1) Stay away from harmful habits
All people have different ways of healing. Some people like to talk it out, some like to cry it out, and some just like to deal with it alone. But, at the same time, some people can pick up harmful habits when struggling. When unable to cope with their emotions, many people find relief in drugs and alcohol.
While they might bring you temporary calmness, they can adversely impact your health in the long run. Being dependent on a substance could completely change your life, but never for the better. So if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, seek professional help as soon as possible. You can reach out to a professional facility like Delphi Health Group to help with your treatment plan. You can check out their website here: www.delphihealthgroup.com
2) Understand your emotions
It is necessary to acknowledge the need for change to be able to implement these tips. The journey begins when you understand that your mental health is suffering. So always make time for yourself to comprehend your emotions. You can do this by talking to yourself, journaling, or sharing it with a friend.
Ensure you acknowledge all stressors, no matter how bitter. Doing this will help you deal with them in a better way.
3) Improve your diet
It is a common belief that food only improves physical health. This concept can not be further from the truth. Instead, a nutritious diet helps you in feeling more alert and increases your ability to focus.
Science proves that serotonin is released in your gastrointestinal tract. This hormone is essential in regulating your sleep, appetite, and moods. Hence, there is a correlation between what you feed your body and your mental health. For example, high sugar consumption worsens depression, anxiety, and mood disorders symptoms.
Harvard health publishing has explained this with a simple analogy. It says that, like a car, your brain functions well when it receives premium fuel. This comparison is spot on, as our brain functions like an engine to control all our bodily functions and emotions.
4) Create a work-life balance
The pandemic has blurred the lines between professional and personal commitments, especially for those who work from home. Answering calls from the office and off the clock have become the new normal. This work culture can negatively affect your mental health in the long term.
You are more likely to feel demotivated and burnt out quickly. Such stress is harmful to your emotional well-being. Hence, learn how to strike the perfect work-life balance. Communicate to your colleagues the time slots you are available to talk about work. Ensure that you are not contacted at times other than these unless there is an emergency.
5) Learn to say no
We have all regrettably struggled to say no to people at work or home. It requires a lot of mental energy to always be available for chores or mental support. Sometimes excusing yourself from a situation that asks for more than you can give is a wise decision.
Politely declining extra tasks is not unprofessional; it only signifies that you place importance on the quality of the work you submit. Hence, do not feel pressured into accepting more tasks than you can easily manage. Similarly, declining an invitation to a brunch or a family commitment for your mental health is okay.
6) Exercise
You might have heard this uncountable times. Working out remains significant no matter what kind of lifestyle you have. Perceive it as a free antidepressant with no side effects. Exercising releases endorphins and serotonin. Both of these play a vital role in improving your mood.
Pick a 15-minute workout routine to follow every day. Focus on stamina-building and low-intensity exercises if you are a beginner. Staying consistent is the key to the success of this tip.
Yoga can help you relax and ground yourself. Moreover, working out at a gym or a nearby park might lead to opportunities for socialization. Social interactions can be good for your mental health.
7) Prioritize sleep
It is common for people to sleep late or pull an all-nighter to complete work. This trend is more prevalent among teenagers and young adults. Unfortunately, we do not realize the impact of lack of sleep on our mental health.
Sleep is known to aid the consolidation of positive emotions. REM sleep facilitates the processing of emotional information. It allows us to remain active. You might have noticed you are moody and overactive when sleep-deprived.
Hence, prioritize sleeping over anything. Try to manage your time better to leave you with 8 hours to sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep, you can use natural ways that help.
Conclusion
There is no set recipe for having the best mental health. Everyone has good and bad days, but you could be in trouble when these bad days start taking over your life. However, making minor changes to your lifestyle will prove to be helpful. Do not obsess over implementing all of these at once. It might lead to added stress. Remember that life will be as easy as you allow it to be.
