In difficult times, it can be very difficult to remember to focus on yourself and take a look at your mental health and well-being from time to time. However, there is are some ways to avoid stress and anxiety, and to try to maintain your sanity, so that it becomes easier to deal with problems and harder to break down.
1) Don’t overwork yourself.
It can be very easy to focus on work and all the things you have to do, but sometimes it helps to remember to slow down. Once in a while, don’t forget to take a break and set aside some time for yourself to relax. This will help your brain process all the information at a healthy pace and keep you from feeling too overwhelmed.
2) Learn new things.
Make your days fun and exciting by constantly learning new things and cultivating new hobbies. It can be anything from cooking to knitting to playing an instrument, as long as it’s something you really want to do and something you think will enrich your time and be a healthy and relaxing experience for your mind. .
3) Enjoy the little things!
Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away with all the big issues and forget why life is so beautiful in all its little intricacies. Whenever you’re overwhelmed, take a few moments to focus on something really small that can make a difference to you personally. Listen to your favorite song, eat a homemade snack, light a candle that reminds you of a warm memory, put on a soft sweater, pet a dog or a cat. Anything that makes you happy and helps you recognize the beauty in little things.
4) Take care of your body.
Physical and mental health are more closely linked than you might think. If your body is unhealthy and unhappy, so will your mind. Learn to take care of your body and yourself as if you were taking care of a loved one. Eat a healthy amount of balanced foods, drink plenty of water, get plenty of sleep, exercise, meditate, whatever you prefer. As your body becomes healthier, so will your mind.
5) Take advantage of sunlight.
Natural light is one of the greatest sources of serotonin for the human body; essentially the “happy” chemical. Studies have shown that light therapy can combat depression, but on a smaller scale, why not try to combat small daily problems by staying in the sun as much as possible. You will feel much happier and much less stressed.
6) Positive affirmation.
It is very important to maintain your motivation and your self-esteem. At least a few times a day, remind yourself of how great you are and how many challenges you’ve already overcome. Motivate yourself like you would motivate anyone else. Act like you’re confident and eventually you’ll start to believe it.
7) Become the person you want to be.
It sounds really difficult, but it doesn’t have to be all big changes all at once. You can start with something as simple as dyeing your hair the color you’ve always wanted or donating some money to charity to feel good about what you put out into the world. Transform yourself into the person you’ve always wanted to become, with every little decision you make, and you will eventually get there.
8) Break down the problems.
When big problems come your way, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stay up all night worrying about them. Instead, why not write them down? Make a list of all the problems you’re having and if there’s a way to fix them, write down each step you need to take. Then go to sleep. You can take care of it in the morning.
9) Breathe!
It sounds very basic, but it is absolutely essential. Stress and anxiety can often lead to panic attacks, and one of the best ways to avoid or control this is to breathe. Learn to control and relax your breathing, perhaps through meditation or something similar, and whenever you feel overwhelmed, just go to your happy place and breathe.
10) Ask for help.
All of these tips are helpful when dealing with moderate stress issues, but if you have bigger issues that could be dangerous to yourself, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Connect with family and friends and talk to people you trust about what’s going on. It may seem impossible, but I promise you a lot of people love you and will want to help you no matter what you’re going through.
