5 Really Simple Ways to Stay on Top of Your Mental Health
Experiencing poor mental health is no joke. It’s an illness no one else can see, and it can leave you feeling physically and emotionally drained. Until more recent years, poor mental health was looked down on because it wasn’t really understood by those that haven't experienced it before. Thankfully, it’s a much more widely talked about subject now and we can focus on what to do if your mental health has declined.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best ways to deal with poor mental health when it’s getting the better of you.
Look at your eating habits
Poor mental health can crop up out of quite literally anywhere! So, if you’re wondering why you’re suddenly feeling more anxious than normal or you’ve been feeling low in general, it’s time to look at all of the aspects in your life that could be affecting your mental health. First up on the list is your eating habits.
Believe it or not, the foods you consume have a huge effect on your mental health. Think about it this way:
When you eat organic and fresh food: you’re getting nutrients and vitamins that your body needs. In turn, you feel naturally stronger, you may even lose weight, and you feel better in yourself overall.
When you eat man-made junk food: you’re not getting even half of the nutrients or vitamins that your body needs, which will instantly make you feel worse in yourself. Add the added saturated fats and salt content - it’s no wonder you’re not feeling yourself!
Our brains need lots of nutrients to thrive, just like the body. So, why not kill two birds with one stone and change your eating habits for the better?
Research all kinds of treatment
Sometimes poor mental health simply cannot be avoided. Perhaps you’re struggling with PTSD from a traumatic time in your life, or you’ve lost someone close to you recently and you’re struggling to stay above the surface? Whatever your reason, there are lots of treatments available to you. Consider things like:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach aimed at gradually transforming negative thought patterns. You’ll visit a therapist who will delve deep into the why’s, when’s and who’s to help you resolve your problems.
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Antidepressants - an option for those that are feeling like they need a little mood boost to help get them back on track. These aren’t designed for long-term use, but your Doctor can prescribe them for as long as they think you need them.
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Meditation - taking the time to focus and reflect on your day can be extremely powerful. This might be an option to pair with another treatment to help boost your mood.
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Ketamine therapy - sometimes depression can resist treatment like antidepressants, and controlled ketamine therapy is a great way around this. You could consider speaking to a ketamine therapy clinic near you to see if this fast relief treatment could be an option for you.
- Family therapy - if it’s not just you experiencing depression, trauma or PTSD - perhaps from a shared experience - then family therapy is definitely something to consider. It can help rebuild relationships and provide a safe space to work through any underlying issues.
Avoid substance abuse
This might seem like an obvious one, but a lot of people turn to substances like alcohol or drugs to help cope with the way they are feeling mentally. The short and long of it is that they will not help your mental health. Substance abuse can actually add to those feelings of anxiety or depression, especially if you’re experiencing regular “hangovers”. If you’re struggling with substance abuse, make sure you get help.
Up your exercise
It’s hardly surprising that exercise made its way into a mental health post, but it’s more powerful than you think. Exercise is good for you physically and mentally because not only are you becoming fitter and stronger when you exercise, it releases endorphins into your brain which is a natural chemical that makes you feel happy.
And, while that might not be a permanent solution, exercising regularly gives you that natural happiness you need. Not only that, exercising might just give you back that self-esteem you need!
Don’t be afraid to talk about it
Finally, one of the most important factors here is that you should never be afraid to talk about it. Even if you don’t want to speak to someone in a professional manner, having someone that you love and trust to confide in about these things will make a world of difference! So, no matter how small or insignificant it seems, make sure you talk about it!
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