It is very easy to feel overwhelmed when you are suffering from mental health conditions. Gathering the strength to do everyday activities can be exceedingly difficult, even simple things like eating and getting dressed for work or school. It may seem literally impossible to get out of bed in the morning.
After a bad day or an especially tough time, it is tempting to say you will never feel well enough to accomplish anything. You might be overcome by sadness or anxiety, which both cause emotional exhaustion and the feeling of being unable to cope.
And yet, people do survive mental health problems successfully all around the world every day—and even thrive! How are they able to accomplish this? Here are some things that may help you to live well despite your mental health conditions.
Getting Help
It is important to know this: You are not alone in your struggle. Thousands of people all over the world have felt what you feel, and they have gotten through it. In fact, if you think back around your family and friends, at least one or two people will come to mind who have been through similar mental health conditions. These people can be a lifeline of support for you.
In addition, there is a great deal of help at your fingertips today more than ever before in history: psychologists and psychiatrists, counsellors and therapists, peer support groups and online resources with trained people to answer your questions. Most places where you live also have hotlines and crisis lines available if you are feeling overwhelmed or distressed.
Taking that first step to reaching out for help is often the most difficult. Perhaps you feel that there is something wrong with asking for assistance, or maybe fear of what your friends might think if they learn you are seeing a therapist makes you reluctant to confide in anyone. Yet having support on this journey can be invaluable to your recovery.
You may find it helpful to talk about how you feel with close friends and family members, so they can be aware of what you are going through and avoid unintentionally triggering bad feelings in the future.
Asking for help does not mean that you have failed or that you will never get better: It just means that at this time, you need a little extra help. Everyone has bad days and needs a boost once in a while. It is okay to ask for that help from time to time so you can continue living your life on your terms!
Taking Care of Yourself
Getting treatment will not magically make your symptoms go away. You still have to work at recovery every day. You may even need to make some serious changes in your life to take care of yourself properly, like making time for the things you enjoy or saying no when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Taking care of yourself can look different at different times in your life:
It might mean taking a break from school or work during, particularly bad periods.
It might mean saying “no” to people when you do not have enough energy for a social event.
And it might even mean going on disability leave from your job if the stress is making you feel worse and preventing you from doing your work adequately. None of these things is easy, but they can be necessary for your mental health recovery.
Generally, the more you put into your recovery and look after yourself, the better you will feel. Eating well and exercising regularly can be very helpful; it releases endorphins, which make you feel happy and give you a little boost of energy. Getting enough sleep (8-9 hours per night) is also important: Not only does it keep you sharp and focused, but lack of sleep can exacerbate anxiety and depression, making it harder to get out of that negative mindset.
Communicating with Others
To take care of yourself properly, you need to communicate your needs with others. Not everyone is a mind reader: It may not be evident from the outside when someone has been going through a tough time. And it is not just loved ones who may need to learn about your condition: You might be surprised at how many colleagues and acquaintances find out that you have a mental health condition — something that can lead to awkwardness or misunderstandings if you don’t clarify the situation.
You will get better results with others when you take the time to communicate clearly. You might be surprised at the number of people who really want to help you – if they know how to. They may even feel hurt or rejected if you do not let them in, as people often hope to make a difference when it comes to mental health conditions.
Taking care of yourself also involves communicating your needs with new roommates, college professors, and future employers. They may not know how to interact with you in a way that will make things easier for you. For example, if the fluorescent lights in your workplace trigger migraine headaches, let your boss know so she can arrange for softer lighting on days when you need it!
People who want to be supportive of your recovery can often be your greatest resource. Just let them know what you need. If they want to help, they will find a way!
Stepping Back from Stressful Situations
There are definitely some stressful situations in life that nobody wants to face, but there are ways of dealing with them effectively without succumbing to your symptoms. Again, it is up to you to communicate with your loved ones that you are not feeling well and may need some time alone (or, if the situation warrants it, time away from them).
Sometimes people create stress for themselves without realizing it—by thinking negatively about things or letting problems pile up. Do what you can to relax before big events like job interviews or presentations. Try to keep your daily schedule as balanced as possible (working, exercising, socializing), so you don’t get burnt out.
Taking Care of Your Mind and Body
It takes work to take care of yourself properly when you live with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety! You can’t just expect treatment to fix everything overnight. Many people find that a combination of medication and therapy works best for dealing with their symptoms, but no matter what you choose to do, taking care of yourself means more than just going through the motions.
Make lifestyle changes—like eating healthier foods and exercising regularly—that will make you feel better on a day-to-day basis. Dedicate some time each day to relaxation, like taking a walk or watching TV (a great way to disconnect from technology for a while!).
There are countless ways you can help yourself feel better. It is not always easy, but it is worth the effort!
Take care of your physical and mental health by living in harmony with nature. Take time to relax and breathe fresh air, breathe in the moments of silence.
Exercise regularly: A healthy body is a happy body! Get outside and enjoy activities that help you stay active and strong, like going for a hike or taking your dog on the run.
Meditate: Breathe and clear your mind from the day’s troubles. Close your eyes and tune into the present moment, with a focus on deep breathing.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables: Buy from local growers who use organic methods of farming to prevent chemicals from polluting our earth!
Avoid junk food: Loaded with flavour enhancers, preservatives, and refined sugar that create a quick and dangerous spike in your insulin levels.
Connect with others: Open up to friends and family; they really do care! Talk about what’s on your mind and how you feel so they can help support you during this time.
Talk to people who listen: You need somebody who will patiently listen without judging or telling you what to do. Let them understand your situation and help you find a solution from within or from the professionals around you.
Be active: Try something new! From rock climbing to ballroom dancing, physical activity is an amazing way to connect with yourself and others in a positive way.
How to live a balanced life despite suffering from Mental Health conditions?
It takes work to take care of yourself properly when you live with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety! You can’t just expect treatment to fix everything overnight. Many people find that a combination of medication and therapy works best for dealing with their symptoms, but no matter what you choose to do, taking care of yourself means more than just going through the motions.
Good luck!
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