Mental health has become one of the most important subjects in the collective wellness conversation in the last few years. The US surgeon general has recently stated that the youth mental health situation is a full-on crisis, though the problem extends to other age groups as well.
Mental health is often a lonely thing to suffer with. In many cases, it is easy to put on a brave face and convince others that there are no issues, but being able to smile and laugh does not mean that everything is perfect in your mind. Additionally, physical health is tightly linked with mental health, so struggling with one can lead to struggling with the other.
Looking out for ourselves is important if we want to live long and healthy lives, and that starts with taking care of our mental state. Here are a few tools you can use to promote better mental health in your life.
Mental Health Professionals
One of the simplest ways to deal with mental health challenges is by speaking with a therapist or counselor. Talking through your feelings and emotions can be incredibly freeing, but it is not always possible to do this comfortably with loved ones or close friends. Some things should only be reserved for a mental health professional who knows how to guide you through your thoughts and come up with practical solutions. Choosing the right counselor should be a thorough process to ensure you are getting the best support possible. You need to choose someone you feel comfortable around so that you are not afraid of sharing with them. Otherwise, they will be limited in how much they can help you.
Healthy Workplace Culture
Stressful jobs and workplaces are often the culprits when people struggle with mental health. Maybe you feel nervous about the security of your job or your boss is very poor with communication and feedback. This heightened sense of worry at work can bleed into every other area of life, leading to a downward spiral of anxiety and stress. Finding a healthy workplace culture could be the solution. Although job hunting can be stressful itself, if the end result is a much less toxic environment, it will be worth the effort. To discover prospective employers with healthy workplace cultures, you can always search for online reviews from past employees. Sites like Indeed often offer this kind of data so you can quickly determine if people were generally happy when they worked there.
Healthcare Options
Though mental health has only become a point of emphasis in the last decade or so, the healthcare system is slowly catching up. Providers, insurance companies, employers, and other parties are learning to invest in mental healthcare practices to prioritize the well-being of clients and employees. Finding healthcare options that can help with your struggles is important. For example, maybe your employer offers reimbursements for therapy sessions to encourage you to speak with professionals about your mental state. If you have anxiety due to military service, you could be eligible for VA disability benefits that will help you overcome financial struggles that just add stress to the mix. Let your personal doctor know if you are struggling with mental health so they can make recommendations for resources in their network to take advantage of.
Joining a Gym
As mentioned previously, physical health and mental health are linked. In many cases, struggling in one will impact the other. On the other hand, focusing on improving in one of these areas can naturally help the other. Exercising more releases more positive endorphins that can boost your mood. Also, working out will help you feel better and look better physically, which can have a positive effect on your mindset. Joining a gym is a great way to invest in physical health. For one thing, it requires investment, which makes you far more likely to actually head to the gym. Additionally, going to a gym can connect you with other like-minded individuals who have similar goals, and together you can push each other toward greater physical and mental health.
Simplify Mental Health With the Right Practices
Mental health is a complicated subject. Everyone has unique thoughts and emotions, and dealing with them may look different from person to person. What works for someone else may not work for you. This is why it is important to try different practices to support your mental health. Maybe it is seeing a professional and talking through things. Perhaps prioritizing physical health for your body will be enough to improve your mood. Healthcare options that you had never known about could be exactly what you needed to overcome your challenges. Make a complicated matter simple by adopting new habits to promote better mental health.