Mental Health Tips for Everyone -- Including You
By Sara Butler
A lot of people tend to focus on their physical health and wellness. While that is important, don’t make it so important that you forget about your mental health and wellness too. Everyday life is filled with stress and after a while, that stress can manifest itself in some serious ways if you’re not taking the time to deal with it appropriately. You can suffer from anxiety, depression, or just overall feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. The National Institutes of Health estimate that 1 in 20 people in the United States suffers from depression. If you’re one of them, then here are some ways you can take care of your mental health.
Let Go of the Shame
No one is perfect, so don’t put unrealistic expectations on yourself that will only make the situation worse. Don’t be ashamed about the fact that you get depressed because nearly every family has been touched by depression in some way. Mental illness like anxiety and depression is just like any other illness – it should be treated by a healthcare professional after a proper diagnosis. You wouldn't let your diabetes go without treatment, so don’t let your depression, either.
Don’t Isolate
It may feel like the thing to do when you’re feeling depressed or stressed is to retreat, but that’s really the last thing you should do. Staying away from people is not going to help you to feel better. Instead, interact with peoples socially. It will help to normalize your feelings and help you to feel not so alone. If you surround yourself with people you trust, then you can express the negative feelings and emotions you may be having, which will likely help you to feel better.
Try Something New
In an attempt to get out there when you’re feeling down, try something new. Take an exercise class or an art class – just do something that will help you to stay positive and create some happiness. Push yourself toward something positive and you’ll find that it can make a big difference.
Go Outside
Even if it’s just for a short walk, make yourself go outside and enjoy the sunshine. If you’re depressed, getting out of bed can be tough, but the Vitamin D your body can synthesize when you’re out and about may help to boost your mood and improve your outlook a bit, so get up and get out!
If you're feeling down, make sure you speak to a trusted healthcare professional in your life about it. They have more suggestions beyond these that can really help!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Shreveport, La.