Introduction
If you’re like most people, the last thing you want to do right now is deal with your mental health. The world (and your social media feed) can feel like a giant pile of stress and anxiety that just keeps getting bigger and bigger. But while it’s tempting to tune out or turn inward, research shows that connecting with others—even online friends—can help relieve depression and anxiety in the short term. Here are some simple but effective ways to take care of yourself at home during this unprecedented political moment:
Get out of the house.
One of the best ways to support your mental health is to get out of the house. This is a simple, straightforward idea but it’s also important not to take it for granted. If you’re feeling sad or anxious, it can be tempting to just stay in bed all day and try to sleep away those feelings.
This isn’t always the best idea because:
- sleeping only makes you feel worse when you wake up
- sleeping doesn’t replace real-world experiences with other people (like going out) that can help lift your mood
Move your body.
If you’ve ever felt like your mind and body were at odds, research suggests it’s not your imagination. A recent study found that exercise can help improve mental health. (That’s particularly important given people living with a mental illness are more likely to have heart disease than the general population.)
In fact, physical activity has been shown to reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and ease symptoms of depression and anxiety—all of which can be helpful in coping with a mental health condition.
Still not convinced? There are many other ways physical activity benefits the brain: Exercise increases blood flow throughout the entire body including areas of the brain involved in learning new skills; it also stimulates the production of dopamine, which improves moods; and increases levels of norepinephrine (also known as adrenaline), which boosts energy levels while decreasing fatigue during workouts.”
Fight the urge to isolate yourself.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, it can be tempting to isolate yourself. This may seem like the best way to keep yourself safe, but it’s actually one of the most dangerous things you can do. Isolation is known as “social withdrawal” and when people withdraw from others they are also withdrawing from themselves; they become disconnected from what’s going on inside them and in their environment. People who isolate themselves often feel lonely, fearful, or depressed because they aren’t getting their needs met by others or even by themselves.
When you’re feeling withdrawn or isolated, reaching out to someone else will help bring you back into balance with those around you—and that person might just be able to help get your needs met after all! Here are some ideas for connecting with other people:
- Talk with friends about what’s going on in your life (even if it doesn’t feel like much).
- Join a support group at work or school where everyone goes through similar experiences together every day (like being new parents).
- Call a hotline such as 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).
Do what you can about what is bothering you.
There are times when you will feel like you have no control over your situation. You might think that a certain problem is too big, or that there is nothing you can do about it. If this happens to you, don’t give up. Don’t blame yourself for feeling frustrated or helpless if things seem hopeless at first glance. There is always something that can be done; even if it’s just taking small steps forward each day until the big wins come along later in life.
The important thing is to not let yourself feel guilty about how much or how little of an impact you can make on a problem affecting your mental health.
It’s okay if all those problems seem too much for one person to handle—you are not alone! As long as someone else knows about what is bothering them and wants help fixing their situation, there will always be ways for them (and other people) to move forward with their lives!
Learn to live with uncertainty.
One of the most important things you can do is learn to live with uncertainty. This is hard, but it also has a lot of benefits.
Uncertainty means that you don’t know what’s going to happen next or how it will turn out. It means that when something happens and you’re not sure how to react, your first thought isn’t “Ugh! Why are things so hard?!” Instead, it’s “I’m curious about what this means.”
It’s important not to let uncertainty paralyze you or make decisions for you in advance—like deciding not to go through with something because it might be too difficult or complicated—but instead focus on dealing with whatever happens as it comes up. If something unexpected comes up today, figure out how best to handle it then rather than worrying about whether there will be another surprise tomorrow or next week, or next month! The future is always uncertain; we don’t know what’s going happen—and that includes good things like promotions at work and bad things like illnesses or arguments with loved ones etcetera (you get the idea).
Take time for social connection, even if it’s virtual.
Even if you don’t have friends in your area, there are many ways to connect with people in your community. One of the easiest and most accessible is social media—you can even find a therapist on Facebook or Google! Social media gives you the opportunity to make connections with others who share your interests and experiences. Not only that, but it can also help you feel less isolated when you’re going through a rough time. If someone else shares something that resonates with you, reach out and let them know how much their words meant to you.
There are many different types of social media platforms available today: Facebook has been around since 2004; Twitter has been around since 2006 (though it isn’t technically “social” per se); Instagram only hit our phones in 2010; Snapchat launched in 2011; Reddit launched back in 2005 but didn’t gain popularity until 2012; Tumblr came along sometime around 2007 but didn’t really take off until 2009 or so; Pinterest first appeared on our radar sometime before or after 2010 depending on who’s telling the story (I think).
It’s important not only that we use these tools appropriately—avoiding addiction while still taking advantage of their benefits—but also carefully consider what type will best suit our needs as individuals and communities alike.”
Simple yet effective tips on how to manage your mental health during times like these.
Now, of course, there are times when a little extra support is needed. It can be helpful to check in with your friends and family who are close to you, as well as your primary care physician or mental health professional. But what about the rest of the time? Here are some simple yet effective tips on how to manage your mental health during times like these:
- Get out of the house. Try going for a walk around your neighborhood or even just sitting outside in the sun (if it’s not too cold!). You may feel better already! If it helps you get moving even more, take advantage of local gyms and fitness centers that offer low rates or free memberships. Exercise is known for releasing endorphins into our bodies which help us feel good physically and mentally. And if all else fails… do something fun! Yes, it may seem silly but try reading something funny until it makes you laugh out loud (or at least smile). Something small like this can help boost endorphins too!
Conclusion
The mental health crisis is a real one, and it’s important that we all take the time to care for ourselves. We know these tips won’t solve all of your problems, but they’re great places to start. Try them out in your daily life and see how they work for you!