How to Start Taking Better Care of Your Mental Health This 2021
Your mental health is as important as your physical health. After all, it is one of the crucial aspects of holistic healing. Your mind and body work together to keep you healthy. So, aside from knowing how to eat healthier and exercising regularly, it’s also important that you know how to take care of your mental health.
One of the best things you can do for yourself, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, is to build habits that improve mental health. Yes, even if you’re not diagnosed with a mental health condition. Below are some of the good mental health tips we’ve collated from leading associations and organizations.
1. Recognize Your Stress Triggers and Symptoms
Stress affects every person differently. It also comes with physical signs that are often mistaken for an illness. These include fatigue, lack of energy, headaches, upset stomach, nausea, tense muscles, and insomnia. If you can identify your stress symptoms, you might be able to determine what triggered it — what did happen or what did you think about before you felt your symptoms? As you understand your triggers, you can manage them better next time. Ultimately, you’ll find your stress symptoms manifesting less frequently. (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
2. Stay Connected
Many of us have been feeling isolated since the pandemic started. Social distancing has forced people to stay home as much as possible. And even when we can go out, gatherings and staying too close to each other physically is greatly discouraged. However, this should not keep you from staying connected with family and friends you trust. Get in touch with them — you might be surprised that they, too, need someone to talk to. A simple chat can help you feel better especially when the going gets tough. (Asia Society Philippines)
3. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is your mind and body’s way of naturally recovering from daily stress. Lack of sleep can make you feel tired throughout the day. As a result, you may have difficulty focusing on activities, which can eventually lead to feelings of worry, irritability, and guilt. When you are unable to focus, you finish tasks more slowly than you like. To compensate for this, you might end up staying up late to meet deadlines. It becomes a vicious cycle.
