Mental Health Challenges
![](https://gethealthydesoto.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/16-300x300.png)
Almost 20% of adults in America experience a mental health challenge. We’re a terribly stressed society. One way to improve your mental health is to accept reality as it is though. Sometimes in life we end up in situations that we just can’t change. Acceptance is all about fully accepting your reality in situations that are beyond your control. This doesn’t mean you approve of the situation, are giving up, or that it isn’t painful. You are still allowed to (and should!) feel however you feel, but by accepting that it is what it is, you give the problem less power over you, and you can begin to move forward. And practicing this acceptance has been shown to reduce feelings of shame, guilt, and anxiety.
One way to cope is through the use of coping statements. These are sentences that remind you that different, healthier ways of thinking are possible. Repeating them (think mantra) can help you get through difficult moments – you can focus on just one or make a long list of your own. Some examples are:
- It is what it is.
- I can’t change what has already happened.
- I can accept things the way they are.
- I can only control my own actions and reactions.
If it helps, write your coping statements on Post-It notes and put them in places where you will see them multiple times a day, or set an alarm on your phone with a coping statement to pop up with a reminder every now and again.
When you’re fighting against reality, the first step in accepting reality is gaining awareness that you’re resisting it. It may seem like this would be easy to spot, but there are actually a lot of subtle ways that people push against reality. If you’re feeling bitter or resentful, wishing things were different, or thinking about how life isn’t fair, you might be fighting reality.
![](https://gethealthydesoto.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/18-300x300.png)
Learning to spot that, and to practice your coping strategies, takes…well, practice. It’s a great way to deal with difficult situations that we just can’t control. It takes time though, and don’t be hard on yourself if you fail. Start small with simple situations, and build from there. For example, curse the moon when traffic is at a standstill. Then, take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, and say, “this isn’t something I can control.” It might be awkward at first, but don’t let that stop you.
If you have a grandmother or mother of a certain age, she might have taught you this very skill when you were small and you didn’t even realize it. For example, sirens can be stressful for people. My grandmother always had us say a prayer for whoever was driving and might be riding in the emergency vehicle when we heard sirens. It was a way for a little kid to process that anxiety and help us realize that we couldn’t do anything about it other than pray. Pretty simple, right? If you look back over the course of your years, you might find similar instances of this sort of acceptance of reality. Reinstitute those! It make make you healthier.
Mental Health
The foundation of mental health is that you must attend to your most fundamental needs before you can fully attend to your psychological needs. This includes things like diet, exercise, and sleep.
Fuel
![](https://gethealthydesoto.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/fuel.jpg)
When under stress, and especially when busy, it’s common to slip into eating meals that are quick and easy, rather than nutritious. Food fuels our bodies and minds, and it’s important to get the fuel needed to function at your best. Try meal prepping if you can spare a few hours, or ask a partner or a friend to do it for you. An alternative is to sign up for a meal delivery service. It might be worth the money if it eliminates some of your stress and worry and ensures a healthier diet. Healthy snacks are important too if you’re having a hard time getting a full meal throughout the day. Snacks can help keep up your energy level. And of course, hydration is important too. Staying hydrated is crucial as well, as it impacts your energy level and mood. Try keeping a water bottle nearby and set up a buddy system at work so you can take bathroom breaks as needed.
Be active
When work has you feeling drained, making time to exercise often gets punted to the bottom of your list. Getting your heart rate up though can be a great way to stave off stress. If something physically intensive seems like too much, try yoga or taking a 30-minute walk. If you can move your body, it will be worth it. However, don’t anticipate instant impacts, but it should help you release tension and keep your mood more stable.
Sleep
![](https://gethealthydesoto.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/wake-up-edited.jpg)
Sticking to a regular sleep schedule is important, but it can be difficult if you’re working irregular hours and stressed. Some things to try include setting a bedtime each night. If that isn’t practical because of shift changes or caring for an elderly parent or infant, try setting up a bedtime routine; something you do each time before you go to bed. It can be a simple routine: brush teeth, wash face, brush hair, put on pjs, and read for 15 minutes. Perhaps you might need to turn on the air purifier and Norah Jones for 10 minutes before bed. The actions aren’t as important as the consistency. Doing the same thing before sleep, whether doing that at 10 PM or 9 AM, is what is important and will que your body to begin winding down for rest.
Practice
There are many ways to effectively reduce stress. Everyone is different though, and what works for you might not work for your partner, son, or friend. Create your own list of coping skills that work for you, but know that it might require a bit of experimentation to get the formula right.
Things like guided meditation, working out, and journaling are popular strategies, but don’t hesitate to get creative! Start some sort of craft – even just doodling with a pen and paper or breaking out an adult coloring book are great options. (Check out continuous stroke drawing if you’re looking for something different.) You can practice gratitude by naming three things you’re thankful for. These can be big things, like your health, or small things, like seeing a pretty flower on your way to work. Grab a good book to get lost in, start working on a puzzle, or zone out with a funny movie. If you’ve tried something in the past that hasn’t worked, give it another chance – you may find it helpful this time around!
Ideas from Mental Health America
6 Tips for Healthy Relationships
- Approach your situation (and each other) with acceptance. It’s okay and realistic to have negative thoughts and feelings. Resisting the situation and ruminating about how hard it is, won’t help.
- Build a strong foundation. Use your time to get to know each other more fully. Connect with those you’ve been separated from through video chats and phone calls. Share your hopes, dreams, and goals.
- Be purposeful about your relationship. Agree to make mutual support a priority, and approach your conversations as opportunities to talk about superficial things and deep emotions.
- Expand your focus. There’s a lot more to our daily lives and internal experiences. Make sure your conversations are about more than just the “fluff” of life.
- Foster a sense of adventure. Experience the world together.
- Learn and grow together. Set aside time to discover shared interests and hobbies or to learn how to do something your partner loves to do.
Mental Health Tools
![](https://gethealthydesoto.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Facebook-Banner_Mental-Health-Month_1.png)
We can all joke about the pandemic making us crazy, and a bit like Kevin Bacon, the closer in degrees you are to me, the more likely you are to fit that description. I seem to attract crazy people (and I’m okay with that)!
It’s been a hard year, and for some of us, a clinical diagnosis of a mental illness has really happened. For others, trying to determine if professional help is needed is difficult. There is an incredible stigma that goes with mental health, and one way to combat that stigma is to start having discussions about your mental health. No, not just discussions with the people who share space in your head! Actual discussions with friends and family about stress, struggles, sleep (or lack of it), and coping skills.
![](https://gethealthydesoto.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Screening-Tool-Promotion-1024x1024.png)
I have a friend who prepares me for her own unburdening. Before going into a big rant about something and asking my opinion, she first asks if I have mental space to deal with her issue. I love her consideration, and even more, it makes me think about whether I’m at a place to listen or not. Her approach is as unique as she is. However, like most of us, if you were woefully unprepared for all the stress of this pandemic, it’s time to assess where you are and where you can make improvements.
A simple way to start is through a mental health assessment. Mental Health America offers some screening tools that you might find beneficial. Word of warning though: there are a lot of them, so if you get stressed by having too many options and not being able to make a decision, prepare yourself mentally before clicking the link!
These easy, online assessments can help you evaluate if professional help is needed and help you locate appropriate health care providers. It’s just a small step to improving your mental health.
Walther 5K
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- …
- 94
- Next Page »