Mental health is just as important as physical health. Many people suffer from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc. It can affect anyone of any age, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. There is such a stigma around it and many people do not like to talk about the struggles with mental health.
It should not be this way. If you can talk about your flu symptoms with others you can talk about why you are feeling a certain way.
Here are the top 5 simple ways you can take care of your mental health.
Take a break from everything
Sometimes you need to just unplug, unwind, and detach from others. Turn off your phone for a while, social media can be pretty toxic. Take a relaxing bath with some candles and just let go of everything. Relax and listen to some music. Take some time for yourself- sleep, read a book, get outside. Do something that doesn’t cause you stress/anxiety. You don’t always need to be near others to be happy. Being by yourself can be glorious.
Talk to someone
If you are having bad thoughts or just feel like you want to cry, sometimes it is good to talk to someone. Anxiety can really have an impact on your brain and make you think things that aren’t true. People may not know you are suffering; you never get help and then it could be too late. Let someone you trust know and talk to them about it. If you don’t feel comfortable going into detail, just tell them that you aren’t feeling well mentally and maybe they can help cheer you up.
Break down sometimes
It’s ok to not be ok. You may cry yourself to sleep, have a panic attack, or just cry randomly because everything becomes too much. It is ok. Do not be afraid to let it all out. You are not weak for showing emotions. We are human. None of us are perfect. A good cry is what we all need every once in a while, especially when things get tough. It may actually help you sort out your emotions and feel better.
Take care of your body
Your physical health is also important. If you eat well, get enough sleep, exercise, etc. you may feel better mentally and emotionally. Endorphins from exercising can boost your mood. Yes, you may be feeling horrible and want to eat an entire bag of Doritos. And no one is stopping you. We all do it! But taking care of your body can also help your mind as well.
Ask for help
Again, do not be ashamed of getting help. Going to therapy can really help you sort out your emotions. We need to normalize going to therapy. So many people do it and it can help them live a better life. Just talking to someone, especially a professional can drastically change your life. So, do not be afraid. Get help if you need it. Do not suffer in silence.
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