Mental health concerns are familiar to everyone from time to time. However, it becomes a cause of problems if the signs persist for a longer time.
Since mental health symptoms are unobservable and unlocalized to any specific body part like physical health symptoms, people are unaware of their mental health issues.
Then, how do we know when our mental health is unwell?
Your mental health issues come in the way between your day-to-day adjustments.
Certain over signs help you understand that it is time for you to start checking on your mental health.
The signs include loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, memory issues, rapid mood shifts, loss of emotional control, changes in sleep and appetite, social withdrawal, decreased functioning in daily life activities, illogical thinking, nervousness, increased sensitivity to sounds or touch, suicidal thoughts, thoughts of harming others and so on.
Such signs disrupt your social and occupational functioning.
Though one or two of these symptoms cannot predict your mental illness, they signal you for further evaluation by a professional. But how to go about it?
Remember, just like you have a treatment for your physical illness, mental health issues can also be dealt with. There are many ways to boost your mental health.
Try these ways to rebalance your unbalanced self:
Give value to yourself
Do not self-criticize. Revisit your hobbies and get engaged in activities that interest you. Dedicate some time to appreciate what you did in a day.
Take care of your physical health
Take a proper diet and sleep on time. Exercise regularly. It helps you boost your mental health.
Social connectivity
Meet your old friends and spend time with them. Studies say social support promotes your mental health.
Set realistic goals
Not achieving what you desire might also make you feel stressed. Therefore, set achievable goals and write down your achievements of the day. Don’t get disappointed even if you could not achieve a few of your goals.
Avoid drugs and alcohol
Though drugs or alcohol provide you with instant relaxation, they aggravate your problems. Do not look at it as a self-medicating option.
Talk to someone you trust
We step back to share our mental health experiences with others because of the stigma attached to them. But breaking the stigma is the need of the hour. Choose someone to talk about your feelings and feel relief.
Get professional help when required
Counseling helps in cases of distress. Professional help is the most important when there are thoughts of self-harm or harming others. Don’t hesitate to seek support in such cases. Taking help for your mental health issues is as normal as taking help for your physical illness.
It is important to understand that you are not alone in this fight with mental health concerns. Even if you feel alone, you will not be left alone. Try out activities on your own or get help from others to be healthy: mentally and physically.