5 Expert Mental Health Tips We Can All Use Right Now

If you're feeling out of sorts lately, don't worry...you're not alone. We have five tips from medical experts on how to stay mentally healthy during this time. If you’re feeling slightly out of sorts lately, don’t beat yourself up too badly. You are definitely not the only one, and you have all sorts of good reasons to feel that way! 

5 Expert Mental Health Tips We Can All Use Right Now
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Between health, politics, and the economy, there’s a lot going on in the world. When you add your own stressful situations to it, it’s no wonder you feel, well, discombobulated. 

Now, more than ever, is the time to be kind to yourself. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential for your well-being. People under chronic stress are more likely to get sick, and that’s what we’re all trying to avoid!  

Instead of getting frustrated at those around you who are feeling the same stress you are, turn to the mental health experts. Their advice is what we all need right now, and it’s summed up for you right here!  

1. Avoid Isolation 

What? How do you avoid isolation when you’re specifically told to isolate? 

This can definitely be confusing and conflicting advice on the surface. The trick is to dig deeper and figure out new ways to socialize while still staying safe. 

One way is to use technology to its maximum potential. Be careful what you allow on your social media news feeds. Negative people, stressful news, and arguments will add up. Don’t be afraid to unfollow and block anyone that makes you feel even slightly unsettled. And, if that’s not enough, take a social media break for 24 hours.

Those friends and loved ones you’re missing so much? Pick up the phone and video-call them. It’s not the same as an in-person meeting, but if they’re far away, you couldn’t do that anyway. This way, at least, you’re not feeling quite so isolated. 

Socially distanced lunches and outside activities are highly recommended! Get out of the house and explore the world — just do it safely! 

Whatever it takes to stop that feeling of loneliness, go for it. Maybe it’s getting lost in a book or TV show or reaching out to a friend. Don’t let pride stop you. They’re probably feeling as isolated as you! 

2. Give Yourself Some Grace 

Are you patient with other people’s mistakes but hard on yourself about your own? 

Take a deep breath and ask yourself this question: 

At what time in your past has it helped you to get angry and berate yourself? Never, right? 

When you’re cruel to yourself, for whatever reason, you end up feeling even worse. 

Why not try the opposite? Give yourself the same grace you’d give a loved one if they made the same mistake or were feeling down. 

3. Validate Your Emotions 

Take it from the experts. The worst thing you can do for your mental health is to pretend there’s nothing wrong. 

There’s a lot wrong, but there’s also a lot right. Once you validate your emotions and work through the problems, you can begin to focus on the good things. 

The part that’s hard about this is that validating your emotions feels an awful lot like dealing with the problem. You have to get in touch with your thoughts to find out why you’re feeling the way you are. 

Yup, you have to go there. If you don’t recognize, admit, and deal with the issue, it’s going to keep cropping up. And it may show up in ways you don’t want it to, like taking out your frustrations on your friends, family, and coworkers. 

Find a quiet place to take a few minutes and journal or meditate. Five minutes in your head might be all it takes to get a grip on your feelings and process them. If you’re still having a hard time doing it, there are some good prescription meds available online to help you achieve this. You’ll feel so much better once you do! 

4. Learn What You Can (and Can’t) Control 

We use a lot of mental energy trying to control things that are simply out of our control. When you learn how to recognize what is and isn’t in your job description, you’ll feel less stressed. 

There are three levels of control in life: 

1. Yours

2. Someone else’s

3. Nature/acts of God 

Your thoughts, actions, and the way you respond to external stimuli are the only things truly under your control. 

If it’s not your thoughts or actions, it’s someone else’s, and therefore, it’s not your responsibility. Let it go, and let them deal with the consequences. Even if you know better, it’s not your job to fix someone else’s responsibility. 

The last level is uncontrollable by anyone, so why stress it? Nature is almost impossible to predict and out of your hands. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for it. Have a fire, tornado, or hurricane plan in place, and teach your family what to do in an emergency. But don’t lay awake all night worrying that something will happen. 

When you can let go of everything that’s out of your control, your mental health will improve dramatically. 

5. Practice Self-Care 

Self-care is a buzzword trending in today’s overly stressed, overwhelmed society. But it’s also easily confused by those who think “self-care” means being selfish. 

It’s actually the complete opposite. Self-care doesn’t require a lot of time or money to do. You don’t need a day at the spa or the beach (although that works, if you can do it!). 

Taking care of yourself simply means doing things that recharge your batteries. When you feel like you’re constantly on the go doing things you don’t want to do, it’s easy to snap at your friends and family without meaning to. 

When you start getting edgy and irritated, ask yourself when you last took some time for self-care. 

To calm your mind, try a few minutes of self-care by journaling, working on a hobby you enjoy, or talking to someone you trust. A counselor or a vent session with a good friend can recharge us in ways that aren’t measurable, but the effects sure can be felt!

With so much else going on in our lives, the last thing we need is a mental meltdown. Yet, with all the stress in the world and the hectic pace of life, it’s easy to get stuck on that track. 

Take a page from the experts’ books and listen to their advice. One or all of these tips could be what you need to switch from overloaded to calm and content. 

Author bio: Angus Flynn, business manager of Arte, has been with Alliance Residential Company for over five years. He has extensive experience with a variety of properties, from large lease-ups to smaller, more urban assets.