Times are tough for many people. From a fast-changing world, the constant pressure that social media brings, to economic factors, it’s a hard time for many. Whether you’re an adult trying to find a way forward for yourself or you’re trying to balance the many needs of a family, your mental health matters most. If you cannot find clarity and stability here, you cannot offer it to anyone around you.
But there is help. At Willow Creek Behavioral Health, we provide acute care for those who need it the most. We’re here at the worst times. If you are under pressure, thinking about hurting yourself, or simply need immediate care, contact us immediately. You can just visit without an appointment or calling ahead. You can also call 988 for immediate support.
How to Work Through Challenging Times
Seeking mental health support is always worthwhile. Even if you’re not at a critical point in your life, there’s still value in seeking out a conversation with a therapist and discussing your options.
There are also some things you can do to protect your mental health right now. Building resilience through the following steps could be the resource you need.
Focus on Self-Care
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. It means pulling out of situations that are mentally taxing for you. It also means focusing on the basics that you need, such as getting sleep, eating properly, and caring for your needs. Self-care is a big part of your mental health.
We encourage you, as a part of that process, to set mental health goals for yourself. That may include self-reflection, creating a period of time off, and finding someone to talk to about what you’re facing.
Focus on Controlling What You Can Control
You can’t control everything that’s impacting your mental health. Instead of focusing on those tasks, put your mind to work on what you can control:
- You can control your daily routine. Creating and maintaining one can alleviate frustration and stress.
- You can control your reaction to what happens around you. That includes controlling who you allow to be associated with you, no matter what your reasons are.
- You can also control your actions. You may not be able to fix the economy, but you can make better financial decisions for yourself. You can also improve habits that could otherwise hurt you.
It’s really hard not to want to just fix what’s happening. Instead of trying to take on impossible challenges, give yourself a bit of a mental health break. Focus on what you can control first.
Limit What You’re Taking In
A lot of the negative feelings that we feel and experience today come from the constant stimulation that many people have. There’s an ongoing need to remain connected through social media and other sources. Of course, you want to remain connected and know what’s happening. However, your brain needs a break, too.
Limit how much exposure you get to the news and social media. Set up some time to be outside or engage in other activities that bring you joy. Breaking up all of the negative energy coming into you allows your brain better opportunities to process it.
Practice Gratitude
It’s a lot easier to make a list of everything that’s frustrating you. It can quickly seem like everything is “bad” in one way or another. However, when you flip that around, you put your brain to work where it matters the most.
Practice gratitude by making a list of everything you appreciate. Do this each day. There are some days when you may only be able to appreciate the sound of the birds. On other days, you may have a long list of things. This process helps improve emotional well-being.
Get Physical Activity
Not everyone appreciates going for a run or working out at the gym, but there are very real benefits to doing so. Exercise in any form reduces the amount of adrenaline and cortisol in your bloodstream, the common stress hormones causing you anxiety. It also releases endorphins, or feel-good hormones.
Getting out for a walk is a good start. If you can, go swimming, ride a bike, or do any other activity that gets your body moving. You’ll feel the difference. This is one of the most important anxiety relief tools.
Know When It’s Time to Get Professional Health
If you’re feeling the intensity of the drama and pain around you, don’t let it overtake your well-being. Seek help from a treatment center designed to provide you with comprehensive care.
For acute situations, contact Willow Creek for immediate help. It’s really rough right now. That’s easy to see. Yet, there’s also a treasure trove of support available to you from our compassionate team. Contact us now.
