Actions You Can Take When You’re Struggling With Your Mental Health

Actions You Can Take When You're Struggling With Your Mental Health
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It’s never enjoyable to feel out of sorts and like you’re just getting by. Your mental health plays a key role in your daily life, and you want to make sure that you can function optimally. There may be times when you are facing challenges and are feeling off. Instead of panicking or making the situation worse, you should continue to tell yourself that there are steps you can take so you can feel better overall. Now is your chance to put your needs first and figure out a game plan for regaining control over stress and anxiety. Here you can review some actions you can take when you’re struggling with your mental health.

Reach Out to Loved Ones

It’s important to stay socially connected and know you’re not alone. Therefore, if you’re struggling with your mental health, then choose to reach out to loved ones. Find people whom you trust and can depend on. You may want someone to simply listen to what you have to say, and other times when you are looking for input and advice. Getting what’s bothering you off your mind and chest can be freeing and open your eyes to new possibilities as to how you can best navigate your problems. Remind yourself that it makes you a wise person to reach out and ask for help when you need it.

Seek Professional Help & Guidance

Another action you can take when you’re struggling with your mental health is to seek professional help and guidance. There are trained and licensed therapists who specialize in this area and can provide you with new tools and skills to get you to a healthier place. One option is to schedule some time off from work and register for a customized mental health wellness retreat that can effectively transform your life and mental health. You’ll soon be on a journey to experiencing emotional healing and finding yourself again. The licensed therapists will help you work through anything you’re facing, such as grief, trauma, or anxiety.

Exercise & Eat A Balanced Diet

If you’re struggling with your mental health, then it’s a wise idea to get some exercise and stay active. It’s not only a chance to burn some calories but also boost your energy levels and mood. Find activities that you enjoy doing and get your heart rate up. The happy chemicals in your brain will be released, and you’ll begin to shed unwanted pounds so you can maintain a healthy weight. Exercising can improve your self-confidence and make you feel proud of yourself when you reach your fitness goals. It’s also important to eat a balanced diet and pay close attention to what you’re putting in your body daily. There are foods that can increase and decrease anxiety and make you feel less or more energized. It’s also in your best interest to limit or cut out alcohol, sugar, and caffeine if you are feeling off mentally and are anxious.

Get Outdoors

It can also be refreshing and revitalizing to get outside when you need to reset. Being outdoors in nature is very beneficial for your mood and mental health. There are many activities you can do, such as swimming, gardening, or biking. On days you can’t make it to the gym to exercise, at least get outside and go for a walk in nature. You can also choose to listen to music as you walk or hike, which can boost happiness and your energy levels. Choosing to spend more time outside will also force you to disconnect from technology more often and give your mind and eyes a break from thinking and doing.

Schedule A Vacation

It’s a good idea to take some time off from your job if you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. You likely aren’t performing to the best of your ability if you’re struggling with your mental health. Therefore, it will be good for everyone if you schedule time off to take a vacation. Lying on the beach and by the water for a few days may be all you need to feel recharged. If you don’t have it in your budget to get on a plane and travel long distances, then you can always hop in your car and go on a road trip. You can choose to get away with your family or girlfriends, or use it as an opportunity to take a solo trip and reconnect with yourself.

Engage in Deep Breathing & Relaxation Techniques

There are also simple yet effective ways to get to a better place mentally. For example, you may want to do some deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. Deep breathing is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety since you can do it anywhere and anytime. Once you get your breathing under control, you’ll notice that you feel more relaxed and less anxious. There are also relaxation techniques you can apply, such as visualization or progressive muscle relaxation. You may also find it beneficial to do yoga in your free time, which is a mindful activity that can improve flexibility and strength.

Prioritize Quality Sleep

If you’re struggling with your mental health, then it’s essential to prioritize getting quality sleep. Lack of sleep can make you feel moody and sluggish. It will zap your motivation levels, and you may be less enthusiastic about practicing self-care and living a healthy lifestyle. Sleep is a chance for your mind and body to regroup and will ensure that you wake up feeling energized and ready to seize the day. Engage in a relaxing bedtime routine such as reading a book or taking a warm bath. Invest in a comfortable mattress and bedding, and make sure the room is dark enough for sleeping.

Conclusion

You now know of some actions you can take when you’re struggling with your mental health. Giving these ideas a try will allow you to figure out which strategies work best for you and help you get to a better place mentally. When you nurture your mental health, you’ll be able to function to the best of your ability and achieve the goals you set out to do.

If you would like to read more mental health related posts click here.


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79 responses to “Actions You Can Take When You’re Struggling With Your Mental Health”

  1. These are all great tips and ideas, Pooja. How about a vacation from your vacation and then a vacation after you’ve been sick. lol ….. is this what you call retirement? 😂

    1. Thank you! Lol that’s a sign that you need another vacation 😅

  2. thanks….timely….I haven’t gone to see a professional yet, but everything else….yeah…being active makes me so much better…as does talking to myself?

    1. Talking to yourself is actually a sign that your brain is healthy as long as it’s not excessive.

  3. Great post, great advice

    1. Thanks so much.

  4. Excellent advice, Pooja! 👍🏻❤️

    1. Thank you! ☺️❤️

  5. Lifesfinewhine (More like Lifesfinewisdom) be dropping in that roadmap to successfully turn that mental health around! You cannot go wrong here with these tips! Let’s go! 💪

    Some of my favorite things to do is to kick my own ass and work out the intense anxiety I have with some weightlifting (prioritizing a proper form and cadence for the safety and wellbeing of my joints of course) Also relaxing with some music. And even also just controlled breathing. Just controlling your own breath and getting more in tune with the rhythm of your body just really helps to focus inward and just slow down. So I definitely resonate with these tips! 😀

    1. Aw thank you! That’s great, exercise helps so much with anxiety and mental health in general 😊

      1. Absolutely! You’re very welcome! 😊

  6. Such a great post Pooja!

    1. Thanks so much!

      1. You’re welcom

  7. thanks for these tips Pooja! It is always good to refresh our minds, and know what options are available! Xx

    1. Happy to share them!

  8. You seem to have covered all the bases there Pooja. Exercise and outdoors are really important. Another one you could add is to limit social media use as the latest studies show that those who are constantly using social media can be prone to depression. You may want to check out some of those recent studies. I read them but unfortunately didn’t keep the links but you should be able to find that on an internet search.

    1. Yes, very good point about social media. It should be limited. Studies have shown that spending too much time on social media can actually rewire your brain leading to mental health issues.

  9. Solid things to consider about this serious issue, and very thoughtfully explained as always 💯☺️😇

    1. Thanks so much 😊🙏

      1. You are welcome; I solute you my dear 🫡😆💌

  10. That sounds like good advice. Regarding vacation, before I worked in the US I worked in Sweden. In Sweden you have five weeks of paid vacation from your first year. In the US you may have none or maybe two weeks during the first five years. That was one thing I missed moving from Sweden to the US. You are both happier and more productive with a substantial vacation.

    1. Wow, 5 weeks is great. We usually have about a month in Kenya depending on the job. Some people only offer 3 weeks. Absolutely, I’m sure people return much more refreshed after over a month of time off.

  11. These are great suggestions, Pooja. For me, I find being physically active gives my mood a boost and keeps anxiety at bay. Being in nature is also wonderful for the soul, though (as a music lover) I would say do not listen to music but rather listen for the subtle sounds of nature as those are an essential part of the experience. I also love being by water, whether at a beach or walking by a river or stream… the sights, sounds, smells, all are wonderful. Diet, sleep hygiene, and staying connected with others, including professionals, are also things I have relied on.

    We cannot control the genetic wiring we inherit, but we can take charge and make changes in our lifestyles that will help us reach contentment.

    Great, thought-provoking post!

    1. Thanks so much! Yeah, physical activity can really help with mental health. Yes, to all of those for sure. Absolutely, most of us experience some form of anxiety etc because of how our brain is but changing our patterns and habits can make a huge difference.

      1. My pleasure! Yes, indeed, changing habits often makes a huge difference.

  12. Hi Pooja!

    This was needed.

    I will make suitable changes those are required in my case. The mental health of the family members or the work environment also impact your mental health.

    It’s good to see you back here. Like it was just a week but your absence was felt.
    Other fellow bloggers initiated healthy conversations which kept me active and working.

    Thank you for sharing!

    1. I’m glad to hear that. Yes, I think a huge part of why I struggle with my mental health is because of the people around me. As they say, many of us are in therapy because people around us refuse to do so. It’s nice to be back, I really missed everyone here and posting regularly. It felt like I had no proper outlet when I wasn’t blogging.

  13. Great post 🙏👍🌹

    Aum Shanti

    1. Thanks so much 🙏

  14. Being outdoors is definitely the best reset for my mental health. Sound advice, Pooja

    1. Yup, absolutely agree. Thanks so much!

  15. “Reaching Out to Loved Ones Seeking Professional Help & Guidance
    Exercising And Eating A Balanced Diet Communing With Nature Scheduling
    A Vacay Engaging in Deep Breathing & Relaxation Techniques Prioritizing Quality Sleep”

    All Wonderful Ways to Remedy Mental Health Challenges
    As Well As Preventative Maintenance to Curb Potential

    Challenges From All the Stress of Modernity

    Indeed
    Dear Pooja

    Finding True Beauty
    of Peace and Harmony

    In Every Breath of Life

    DarK Thru LiGHT A

    Lifetime Challenge

    And Practice to Increase
    Our Mental Health And Well Being

    Day By Day
    Breath By
    Breath More

    iN LoViNG Peace..:)

    1. Absolutely, so much stress these days that we have to make a conscious effort to protect out mental health. Thanks so much 😊

      1. Indeed A Whole
        Life Practice
        And Way☺️🙌🌈

  16. Yeah, isolating, while it feels like the right thing, usually isn’t.

    1. Yeah, unfortunately we tend to isolate when we’re struggling but what that ends up doing is rewiring our brain (changing pathways) and causing our mental health to worsen even more.

  17. Excellent advice, Pooja. Where we live, we just had a tenant commit suicide. Being lonely, and ill, can be a terrible thing.

    Personally, being outside helps me tremendously! 🌻

    1. That’s so sad, so sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, a friend of my mum recently committed suicide too. It’s become more common as mental health issues are on the rise.
      Absolutely, being outside makes a huge difference! 💕

      1. It is very sad, and there needs to be more awareness about signs to look for and prevention. 💖

        1. Absolutely agree. Suicide rates are so high right now, we need to do more.

  18. Good advice, there is no reason for us to end our lives that quickly

    1. Thank you and yes I very much agree.

  19. These are very helpful and important tips on how to help oneself when feeling overwhelmed by mental stress

    1. Thanks so much, I hope they help anyone that may be struggling.

      1. It is very common to see people struggling these days, though many won’t admit to it.

        1. Yes, unfortunately so. Mental health issues are at an all time high.

          1. I think it’s the stress of our lives. Economic, political and social.

            1. Absolutely, I think so too.

              1. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

  20. You offer solid and important guidance, Pooja. Sending you lots of love, my friend.

    1. Thank you so much, really appreciate your kind comment.

  21. Great advice Pooja. I recognized I was struggling with my mental health and burnout so I scheduled two days away from work. It was exactly what I needed.

    1. Thanks so much and my apologies for the late response, the comment was stuck in my spam.
      I’m glad you did that, taking breaks when you need them is so important.

  22. Well thought-out and as always, very helpful, Pooja. <3

    1. Thank you so much 😊

  23. Great post. I also get away from the situation or thing that’s causing my mental health in the first place. If it’s social media, then I take a break from social media. Or, I take a break from work, if I can. Breaks can be helpful, if we’re able to take them.

    1. Yeah, getting away from it and getting some fresh air really helps.

  24. All good stuff Pooj!! Makes perfect sense.

    1. Thanks so much!

  25. Fantastic article, P.J. Thank you for the sound advice and easy to follow presentation. As a sleep deprived teacher, I didn’t realize the negative impact that lack of peaceful sleep was having on my life until I changed my life and started sleeping better. As for a vacation – it’s amazing how even a long weekend can recharge your batteries and renew your spirit. Especially when dancing is involved! 😃

    1. Thank you so much. I completely understand what you mean, once I started changing my sleeping habits I saw such a difference in myself. Absolutely even one or two days away from everything makes a big difference. I’m not as talented of a dancer as you are so I opt to sing instead haha 😜

      1. haha 😜 It’s about moving and having fun! 😁💃🏻

        1. But you do it so much more gracefully 😅

          1. I’ve had more years to practice. 😂

  26. A & J PEI Treasures/E Jean Simpson, BEd, BA, MA Avatar
    A & J PEI Treasures/E Jean Simpson, BEd, BA, MA

    Good advice.

    1. Thanks so much.

  27. Such incredibly good advise Pooja! I hope you are doing well. I took the summer off this year and I have missed you. Hugs, C

    1. Thank you and so nice to see you back, I was just thinking of you the other day! Hugs.

  28. I truly believe in the power of getting outside each day whenever possible. If I have a bad day it helps and I notice if I miss out on some time in nature as that itself can show through what I perceive as a bad day if that makes sense? Anyway, great post! Super helpful 😊🩷

    1. Absolutely, even going for a short walk makes a big difference. Totally makes sense and thank you! ☺️💕

  29. Very good advice!

    When I start to feel low or depressed, I check in with myself first. Am I getting enough sleep? Have I been taking my supplements? Have I been eating nutritiously? Do I need to get outside? Do I need to get some exercise? Have I taken on more stress lately?

    Often I find that I’ve slackened off from something I need to do for my physical health, though often it’s just extra sleep I need… and a quiet weekend reading! The whole adage of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure is so true. If we do the small things to nip poor health in the bud, we end up saving ourselves from getting majorly run-down.

    1. Thank you! Sleep and supplements are the first things I check in on as well whenever I feel off. Changes in our lifestyle and routine make a huge difference on our mood.

  30. Wonderful tips and reminders, Pooja! 💞💞💞

    1. Thank you so much! 😊💕

  31. Yes, exercise can help your mood and if you exercise outdoors then you’ll get an extra dose! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Yup absolutely, thanks for the comment!

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