Caring for Mental Health: Don't Forget These Tips
By Genevieve Cunningham
Mental health is a misunderstood topic. It seems you have two main groups of people when it comes to understanding mental health. You have those who think it's always a life or death situation, or you have those who think it's nothing more than feeling blue. The truth is that mental health issues are complicated and can vary widely across the entire spectrum. But beyond understanding the scope of mental illness, a more important job is to understand how to stay well. If you've made mental health a priority this year, take a look at these tips to help keep you well.
Do Not Suffer in Silence
Maintaining good mental health is not an area where you should be doing it all alone. You need support. You need a listening ear. You need advice. If possible, find your most trusted friends and talk things out with them when you feel the need. A good friend will listen and offer support. If you don't have friends like this or your needs are more serious, hire a professional. But don't suffer in silence. Reach out for help, and you're far more likely to stay well.
Learn What You Want
Many people suffer through life simply because they don't know what they want. And if you never know what you want, you can't have it. Do some soul searching to figure out what's most important to you. Is it family? Is it career? And what about the details? Do you want to live in the city or country? Do you want to be surrounded by family? Do you want to attend church? All of these things matter for both mental health and happiness. Figure out what you want, and then don't waste time going after it.
Strengthen Your Backbone
We're not being literal here. You don't have to buy weights and exercise the back. The idea is metaphorical. Sometimes to protect your own mental health, you have to say no. And even more importantly, you have to stop feeling guilty about it. How? This comes with practice. Start small. Say no to a night out or to skipping lunch in lieu of work. As you gain confidence, say no to that extra project or that volunteer opportunity at your kid's school. Saying no when you need to is good for you, and in the long run, it can help save your health -- both physically and mentally.
Your mental well-being is one of the most important aspects of living a healthy and happy life. While it might sound intimidating to stay on top of it, it just takes dedication and action. Use these tips to help you get started, and enjoy better mental health for the rest of your life.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Henderson, Nev.
