Warning signs your mental health is getting bad again:
- Your energy level have decreased
- You snap at others
- Everything is starting to feel like a chore or work
- You feel trapped in a negative situation
- You struggle to engage in daily functions besides current stressors
- You feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities
- You become more protective of your feelings or more defensive
- Escaping from the present and reminiscing about the past of “better times”
- Doing more “mindless” or aimless actives than usual – excessive binge watching
- You are “hung up on” or triggered by things that normally wouldn’t bother you
- Change in sleep patterns – excessive sleep or insomnia
- Start prioritizing immediate pleasure or comfort over long term gains – quick and easy route to mediate pain temporality as quickly as possible
- You start withdrawing from your friends or loved ones
- You avoid making plans in the future because you feel your mood is unpredictable
- you struggle to get pleasure or joy or stress relief out of the things you use to do
If you experience any of the things above, have you considered mental health treatments?
Mental health treatments: We often think it is
- Therapy
- Medication
But it is also:
- Setting boundaries
- Exercising
- Practicing mindfulness
- Meditation
- Challenging out unhealthful thoughts
- Affirmations
- Breathwork
- Asking for support from friends/family/community
- Learning about mental health
- Massage/self care
- Connect with others
- Journaling
- Eating nourishing meals
There are various ways we can take course of our mental health, especially in the form of preventative measures from it becoming a mental health condition.
Everyone’s experience is unique so some strategies/tools may not work for your specific situation.
Note: The Free Your Mind Mental Health Society is an independent youth-led organization. The contents of this blog are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In the event of a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 911 or other local emergency numbers immediately.