Making Mental Health Matter in the New Year
By Brandi Goodman
Too many people let their mental health go unchecked. Stress from life, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and hardships can all greatly take their toll on your mind. You can quickly begin to feel lonesome, sad, angry, and even like a burden to others around you. In the new year, do what you can to make mental health matter. Learn to better cope with stress and reduce your symptoms so you can keep your mind strong.
Make Time for Your Hobbies and Interests
Being too busy to ever have any time for fun will wear your mental health down. You need to make time for your hobbies and interests so you're staying engaged, joyful, and satisfied in life. If you never do anything you actually like for yourself, it's easy to feel as though there's no happiness in the world. Read a book. Sing karaoke. Draw a picture. Color. Paint. Write. Crochet. Whatever you like to do, find the time for it anywhere you can.
Volunteer to Help Others
Sometimes helping others helps us. If you spend time with the less fortunate, you may realize you don't have it so bad. You can also connect with others and form bonds you otherwise wouldn't have gotten to create. It can help with loneliness and letting you see you have people in the world who care.
Try Something New
Perhaps it's the monotony of your day-to-day routine that's gotten you down. Try something new! Even adding just one different thing to your routine can help you feel some joy again. If you take a daily walk around your neighborhood, try a new location. If you always order the same thing at the same restaurant, pick a different menu item. You may just find a new favorite.
Learn Coping Techniques for Stress
If you're one to experience severe stress regularly, it may be time to learn some coping techniques that can help your mind. Deep breathing and meditation are two options. You could write in a journal. Try exercise to ease your tension. Even spending time laughing and watching a funny video at the time of your stressor can help shake off the negativity.
These things won't always work. No matter how hard you try, sometimes the depression just takes too big of a toll. That's when you need to reach out for help and seek the guidance of a professional. It's yet another lifeline in a long list of strategies to help get your mental health in check and feel your best.
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