Peace on the Horizon: Managing Mental Illness

For many of us, mental illness is not only debilitating but also a threat to our very identity. To free ourselves from the shackles of the mind and set the tone for a more positive future, it’s often necessary to change our daily routines, adjust our attitudes toward the problem itself and seek the necessary professional help. Read on for some pointers from Mindwell Body + Soul.

Reorganize Your Life

If your current lifestyle is leaving you stressed and overwhelmed, it’s time to take stock of what is needed, and what should be cut out.

Create a Routine: Sticking to a set daily routine has the potential to trick your brain into a positive mindset and removes anxiety surrounding the tasks that lie ahead. For the best results, Headspace advises keeping a strict sleep schedule; it’s also a good idea to write out your to-do list for the day ahead of time.

Eat Well: Verywell mind notes that certain foods can fight the symptoms of mental illnesses like depression, so incorporating them into your diet has both physical and mental benefits. It’s best to stick to whole foods as much as possible and avoid meals with lots of refined grains and high levels of sugar. Limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake can also go a long way in avoiding these symptoms.

Manage Stress: Stress can often quietly contribute to a loss of control. HowStuffWorks suggests identifying the things in your life that cause high levels of stress. For example, if commuting to work or just being in an office is contributing to your stress, consider the benefits of working from home, and talk to your human resources department about a possible change.

If you’re given the green light you’ll be spending much more time at home,

so be sure to remove sources of stress and anxiety by doing things like cleaning or decluttering.

If it’s not possible to remove some of your stress altogether, make use of effective techniques like breathing exercises to limit their effect on you.

Exercise: It’s important to acknowledge the role that exercise plays in benefitting our mental health. More importantly, specific exercises like yoga and martial arts can help you refocus your energy and offer bursts of those happy hormones that your body craves.

Calming Activities: Consider incorporating soothing activities into your day-to-day life. This can include meditation, the above-mentioned breathing techniques, enjoying aromatherapy with CBD candles or an oil diffuser, and spending time in nature.

Spread Awareness

Although people are talking about mental illness more than ever before, there is still a stigma surrounding it. It’s possible we may never completely put an end to this, but spreading awareness will contribute to a safer world for you and the millions of others who struggle with these issues every day (most unknowingly).

Educate Yourself: Although your mental illness may have a specific impact on your life, other people may experience the same illness completely differently. Support groups or group therapy offer helpful insights into what others are going through and how to better manage your symptoms.

Share Content: Social media is an extremely powerful tool for spreading awareness on any topic, including mental health. Follow and share your favorite posts with your circle. This content is created to explain things that you have difficulty putting into words and will help the people closest to you see your struggles from a different perspective.

Be Honest: It’s important to never sugarcoat or downplay the reality of living with your mental illness. By being completely honest, you’ll show people that your struggles are real, tangible, and not “all in your head”.

Although there is still a lot of progress to be made, mental health resources and aids are becoming more and more accessible as awareness is spread. Living well in the face of mental illness can feel like a mammoth task, but with the right strategies in your toolbelt – including optimizing your home for stress reduction – and the support of the people around you, you’ll be well on your way to a life of contentment.