At times it’s so easy to forget about yourself. It’s difficult to know how to help yourself when at times you can’t even help others. But below are just a small amount of simple steps to help point you in the right direction and to remind you that you can and you will get through this.
1. Talking
Speaking about how your feeling is so important as a process of recovery. Being not able to talk is one of the hardest things about mental health. But by doing so it isn’t an act of weakness. In fact, it’s an act of bravery. And just being listened to can help you feel less alone. And it doesn’t have to be a large family gathering to talk. It can be when your doing a hobby, out in the garden or even on a walk. But it’s never ok to leave it on the inside. And it will be hard the first couple of times, or maybe when you even think about doing it. But after you’ll feel better. You will begin to trust. And your already making those steps to recovery.
2. Helping others out
This can sometimes be a difficult one as you need to find the balance between helping and time for yourself. But small amount each week can help go a long way. Before giving others advice you need to trial it for you. Because once you know what works – you can take that step out to help others in that similar way. Or it can even be listening to another. If your experiencing similar moments, you can share what works, what doesn’t and help each other along the way. And at other times your mind might tell you your worthless. But that’s a lie. But by completing small acts to help others, you can turn that thought around and prove it wrong. And that your not worthless. Because your not.
3. Acknowledging what you are grateful for
Everyone has something to be grateful for. No matter if it’s family, food, life, it all mounts up. By acknowledging it, you know that you deserve these acts. And that because your grateful you do deserve. And that your grateful for a purpose. Wether that has been found or not. And this influxes your positive emotions. Remind you of all those positive experiences you have had. Your self esteem with begin to develop. And yet again it’s all process of a recovery.
4. Focusing
Focusing is so important and can be used everyday to help keep you distracted. Focusing can be used as an everyday structure to know what your going to be doing that day and plan ahead for the next. Knowing what your day will consist of can be deemed as a security net as you know what will be happening and you feel “safe”. But you must also make sure you allow room for the times when you don’t complete what you wanted to do that day. And that’s ok. Another way to focus is to when your stressed or getting worried -focus on aspects. Including on certain sounds around you, things you can smell, touch, taste. They might seem simple but can go a long way. Focusing on breathing is a big helping factor as well. When being swallowed up we forget how to breath and it’s more than ever it’s important to focus on breathing. Start to focus on inhaling and exhaling. And you will begin to retrain your brain how to breathe.
5. Taking breaks
Taking breaks are so important in general. Even when feeling more awake than ever you need them. Overtime they will help with reduce mental fatigue, better performance and time for you. There are so more reasons. Making the time out for you to enjoy is key, especially if your stressed. A change of scene helps your mental health, allowing you to become less irritable. It’s important to break how you want. The stereotypical version would to be sit down, have a drink. And although that is a way to break there are many different ways people do this. Including painting, exercise, meditation and going for a walk. It really doesn’t matter what your break is – as long as you take them.
6. Exercise
Exercise is a good way to not only keep physically fit but to keep mentally fit. Exercise can make you feel good and give you a burst of energy. Exercise can range from meditation, gardening, going to the gym or even cleaning. And it doesn’t have to be every day. Even once a week is an achievement. And overtime you’ll see all the little things adding up.
7. Healthy meals
It’s so important to keep eating everyday. Fuelling your body is key. Food can have a range of different effects in your body allowing caffeine to make you more anxious and fruit to calming your body. Not only does food give your body nutrients and vitamins, it helps keep your energy levels up to help you keep fighting.
8. Sleeping
Sleep is essential. With lack of sleep your mental health can deteriorate causing more problems, which is why it’s important to identify the problem as soon as possible and help. And getting sleep and staying asleep are proved difficult tasks when having mental health. And sometimes small lifestyle changes can help. Coming of your phone before bed, a drink, mediation, breathing all can help. A good why of reducing thoughts and stress is through identifying the worry. And once it’s identified – can you do anything about it now? Yes? Do it. No? Let it go. And at first it’s so difficult. But with time and practice it can help. And there are so many others ways, so if that doesn’t work, try the next one.
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