10 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health

Whether it’s your job, the events going on in the world, or the dirty dishes sitting in your sink that you still don’t have time to come around to, we all stress over one thing or the other on a daily basis. But it’s essential to take care of ourselves to protect our mental health. That’s why we put together some tips for protecting your mental health even if it feels like there is no hope left in the world around you.

1) Tell yourself something positive 

You have the power to help yourself stay strong in the face of trying times. Even if there is nothing you can do about the situation you face, you are not powerless. You have the power to believe that this time will pass and that everything will turn out well. When you find yourself in a difficult position, remember to tell yourself things like “I am strong enough to get through this” “I know everything is going to be alright” or “I will always be safe and protected” until they become true within your mind.

2) Be nice to yourself

The negative self-talk you give yourself when you’re going through a difficult time can be much harder to shake than anything others do to you. Remember that when you are being mean to yourself, no one else is kind. Give yourself the power and strength not just to survive, but to thrive in times of struggle and difficulty.

3) Surround yourself with good people

Your mental health is directly influenced by the people you surround yourself with. Please don’t make it easy for people to try and harm you. If your family or friends are making you feel worse, try to switch things up by spending more time with other supportive people who share your values and goals.

4) Stay Productive

The best thing you can do for your mental health in a tough time is to stay as busy as possible. Whether that means finding extra work or taking on new projects at home, it’s essential to make sure that you don’t have too much time on your hands. Sometimes the best way to protect our mental health is to keep ourselves so busy that we don’t have time to think about how hard things are.

5) Talk it out

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your mental health is to talk to someone else. When dealing with difficult situations, it can be easy to let yourself feel trapped and alone, but reaching out to someone who listens is one of the best ways to help yourself feel a little bit better.

6) Put screens to sleep before you sleep

News and social media can be incredibly damaging when you feel alone and need support, but they can also be highly detrimental to your sleep schedule and overall mental health. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, try committing to putting all of your screens away before you go to bed. This will help you avoid the temptation to look at upsetting news or posts from friends that may make it harder for you to fall asleep or keep you up at night.

7) Learn how to deal with stress 

Stress is a normal part of life, and it’s something that we are all going to face at some point in our lives. You must know how to manage your stress and deal with stressful situations before they get too overwhelming. Many people turn to drugs or alcohol as a response to stress, which can often lead to much deeper problems for them. Remember: You can deal with stress in healthier ways, like exercising or talking it out with others.

8) Avoid alcohol and other drugs

Turning to alcohol or other drugs to try and protect yourself can do more harm than good. Drugs and alcohol are simply a band-aid, and they can often exacerbate feelings of isolation when you desperately need support from other people. Moreover, if you get in the habit of using drugs or alcohol to respond to challenging situations, it’s straightforward for that practice to spiral out of control.

The world is a messed-up place right now, but you are strong enough to get through it. Know what’s best for your mental health, and make sure that those things come first, whether you like it or not.

9) Eat a good meal

The best thing you can do for your mental health during a tough time is to eat a healthy meal. Your body needs fuel to deal with the stressors that are often in our lives, so you must get enough nutrients and stay hydrated when you need support.

10) Quite your mind

There are many ways to quiet down your mind when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Whether it be meditation, journaling, or reading a book, try any of those things to make yourself feel a little bit better.

When we know that there is much to be done and we yet have time to do it; when we know that our past and present load make us heavy; in such times as these, quiet hearts speak well for us. And those who are nearest and dearest to us have helped us carry our burdens for some time, and would sooner let us rest them out than urge us on.

Conclusion

Worrying is not a waste of time. It can prevent us from doing things that we know are harmful to us. However, if we constantly allow what we worry about to stress us out, we put ourselves at risk for anxiety and depression. Understand that although you cannot prevent every negative event that you face, you can better manage how you cope while getting stronger in the process.

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