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New Year, New You - Tips for Caring for Your Mental Health
As the hecticness of the holidays has slowly come to an ease and the new year has settled in, it is a good time to refocus in on you and your mental health.
Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and relate to others. It’s absolutely normal to run into troubles with your mental health, from time to time - we all do. You could be experiencing mental health issues due to any number of reasons including family issues, financial stressors, illness or injuries, trauma from a divorce or separation, loss of a loved one, or even your own genetic make-up.
Symptoms of mental health problems can range from frequent feelings of sadness to withdrawing from family, friends, and activities you once enjoyed to intense mood swings and unjustified fears, worries, or feelings of guilt. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait until you feel overwhelmed. Talk about your concerns with your primary care provider, who can refer you to a mental health professional if needed.
There are also many ways to achieve and maintain positive mental health and one in particular is through practicing self-care. Self-care can play a major role in maintaining your mental health, by helping you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy.
Here are some tips to help you get started with self-care:
Get regular exercise.
Exercising can help boost your mood and improve your overall health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so working in even 30 minutes a day can make a big impact.
Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated.
It’s easy to grab snacks and meals that are quick and convenient, but they aren’t always the healthiest for your body or mind. A balanced diet of vitamin-rich foods and plenty of water can improve your energy, your mood, and more importantly, your brain power and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.
Make sleep a priority.
Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
Try a relaxing activity.
If there’s an activity you can do that makes you feel good, then do it. Any activity that helps reduce stress and creates a positive head space is a good thing! Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy.
Set goals and priorities.
Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
Focus on positivity and practice gratitude.
Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts. Practice gratitude and remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for and write them down or replay them in your mind to create a positive mind space.
Talk and stay connected.
Talking about your feelings or any concerns you may be experiencing is very important to your mental health. Reach out to a family member, friend, counselor or medical professional who can help provide emotional support.
Take a break.
Sometimes taking a break is all you need. Don’t deny yourself this much needed time. It could be 15-minutes, it could be 2-hours, or it could be an entire weekend. Everyone is different but take some time away so your mind can decompress. Mental overloads are very real and happen all the time. We all need some down-time, that includes you.
It’s important to take care of YOU and remember some self-care approaches may work differently than others for some individuals, and it may take a little time to discover what works best for managing your mental health needs, but it can be achieved.
SIHF Healthcare behavioral health providers are here for YOU, and help treat mental health conditions including ADHD, anger issues, anxiety and panic disorders, chemical dependency, depression, self-esteem issues, trauma and grief, women’s issues, and more. Our medical professionals service over a dozen SIHF Healthcare locations. Visit: https://www.sihf.org/patient-care-services/behavioral-health, to find a provider near you and start your journey to achieving positive mental health.