How to Maintain Mental Health During Change
By Genevieve Cunningham
Change is hard, but it's also a necessary part of life. The only thing that ever stays the same is that change will definitely happen. In many cases, change brings about a bit of anxiety in our lives. We don't know what to expect, and we don't necessarily know how to deal with it. But in these times of doubt, it's more important than ever to maintain a positive sense of self and good mental health. If you’re facing change in your life, take a look at these tips for protecting your well-being.
Keep A Few Routines Intact
If a big change is happening in your life, make sure to keep some of your old routines intact. Moving to a new city? Keep your morning ritual or your workout routine. Changing jobs? Keep your wind-down routine the same. You can’t control everything, and that’s OK. But keeping control over a few aspects of your life may help you make it through the change unscathed.
Lean on Loved Ones
Your loved ones -- be they family or just good friends -- can help you make it through times of turmoil. Ask them for a night out. Ask them to come over and watch a movie. Ask them to dinner or to a movie or just call and talk to them. Having these people in your life can help you maintain some positive energy and sanity when it feels like everything around you is spinning out of control.
Take Time for Yourself
It’s completely OK to take some time for yourself. Take the day off, visit somewhere you love or that you’ve always wanted to go, and just unwind. This can help you gain new perspective and recharge your metaphorical batteries. It doesn’t take much time to yourself gain a bit of energy, so just do it! Even a few minutes every night can help, so make yourself a priority, and handling the change in your life will become a lot easier.
Talk With a Professional
Sometimes professional help is necessary. Don’t look at this as a failure. It takes courage to seek help! If you need it, talk with a therapist. Let them help you through this tough time, and let them give you some tips for coping. Once we have the tools, managing our own mental health becomes something that we can more easily do on our own.
Change is going to happen, so you may as well get ready for it. But don’t let change in your life get you down. Change is OK. It’s necessary, and sometimes it’s even good. Use these tips to help you get through times of change with your mental health intact, and you may find that you’re stronger than ever on the other side.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mint Hill, N.C.