The times that we are living in right now are some of the most challenging times of our existence. The global pandemic has brought to the fore mental health challenges that we had previously kept hidden. Aside from that, we are living through a period of hyperinflation, meaning the economic times are bound to get worse.
It is therefore, critical to take proper care of your mental health so that you don’t get to the point of an emotional breakdown. Here is how to do it:
Assess your feelings
You don’t have to wait until you get to a doctor to be able to assess how you feel. Take some time off your day to sit with your thoughts and feelings. Think through how you generally feel about yourself and the world.
Are you depressed? Anxious? Lonely? If unsure, google your symptoms and see what they will lead you to. Assessing your feelings helps you then know how to tackle them.
Determine how your emotional state affects your daily life
Once you know how you feel, then consider asking yourself if your feelings affect your daily life. If you are depressed, are you unable to work or do anything else? Does anxiety make it hard for you to get out of the house?
Once you know that your mental health issues are affecting your life, your brain will prompt you to act. And acting leads us to –
Find your social support
The first act to take after identifying your mental health issues is to find comfort in people who love and care about you. These could be family, friends or spouse. Talk to them about how you feel. Talking with someone who listens actually helps relieve some of the burden that you might be feeling. It is for this reason that the saying ‘a problem shared is a problem half solved’ was coined.
If you feel your social support might not bear the burden of your mental issues, then consider seeking a therapist.
Remember that we are all capable of developing mental health issues that could cripple our lives. However, it doesn’t need to get to that point. The above three steps and more should help you begin your journey towards recovery.
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