If you are going through a tough time, it is vital to take care of yourself. Here are our top tips to do so…

Taking care of your mental health is a daily thing, but it can get extra challenging when it is additionally affected by unpredicted outside factors and triggers. Especially for people who already struggled with mental health issues, the current situation with the epidemic caused by the coronavirus has shown to be particularly stressful. 

It is quite a strain on the already hectic, and at times, overwhelming world. Here are the suggestions on how to decrease stress and how to look after your mental health altogether. in this rollercoaster of a year.

Exercise and keep active

Physical activity has numerous proven benefits for your mental health. Whether it’s yoga, gym, martial arts, dance, etc, it is entirely up to you.  Even if for some reason you can’t strain yourself with any sort of difficult activity, professionally recommended variations of certain exercises or a long walk every day can do wonders. A lot of people already established a healthy training rhythm, realizing the beneficial traits it has on their physical and mental wellbeing. However, the current situation with its restrictions requires some adjustment, but just because you can’t do your usual exercise routine doesn’t mean should quit completely.

In case you lack the motivation to start exercising at home by yourself, there are numerous online training classes to consider.

A healthy diet

People often forget just how important it is that your brain gets all the necessary nutrients in order to perform and function properly. A proper and healthy diet seems like such a banal thing, and yet it is such a crucial factor in maintaining your mental health, in keeping it stable and well.balanced. And, it is a simple thing to accomplish, it only requires a bit of research and discipline. Like with exercising, the state of your physical health is reflected in your mental state, and vice versa, the two are mutually connected.

Socializing

People have different thresholds when it comes to social situations, but not being able to socialize at all due to COVID restrictions has been hard for everyone. Now, maybe more than ever, it is paramount to have a good support system, surrounding yourself with people you feel comfortable with and when that isn’t possible to do in person, you can still stay in touch with the help of modern technology.

Reminder: When you can’t (or won’t) see other people, pets are always good company.

Therapy

Among all the different ways to look after your mental health, nothing is better than therapy. Everything else works as a bandage, a temporary solution that can make you feel better for a certain amount of time, but it doesn’t solve problems in the long run. All the previous suggestions are much more efficient when they are accompanied by regular (or even occasional) therapy sessions.

Therapy is still a taboo notion for a lot of people when there is absolutely no reason for that. Everyday responsibilities, personal expectations, work-related pressures, and the world, in general, can be a stressful place, even without a global epidemic dictating our every move. When things get to be overwhelming, it is important to turn to the professional such as counselors at www.clearmindscenter.com/. The most important thing to remember is that there is no shame in needing help and guidance.

Acknowledge your feelings and accept who you are

It is normal to feel the whole variety of emotions (even the negative ones) and to be overwhelmed at times, particularly in a situation as stressful and uncertain as a global pandemic. All the feelings you have are valid, it is important to acknowledge them, and to express them in a healthy manner (something that you can learn in a safe environment provided by a therapist). Try not to be too harsh on yourself and be able to give yourself a break.

You need to be able to accept yourself for who you are and where you are in life, and not who you think you should be by now. Take it one day at a time and don’t forget, it is a process, change doesn’t happen instantly.