Thankfully, there’s a major conversation happening around mental health. As a result, the stigma is slowly but surely going away. More people are seeing therapists and investing in mental health care for their families. Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of work to do.
This is especially true for individuals as they deal with family members with mental health issues that are undiagnosed. If you’ve been dealing with a mental illness, know that you’re not alone. You’ve made the right decision to recognize it. Now that you know, there are many things you can do in order to cope.
1. Get the help you need.
It’s so important to make the investment and get therapy. There are a lot of resources to take advantage of. Don’t allow finances to be the reason why you don’t get the help you need. There are many non-profit organizations that provide mental health counseling and resources for many people.
2. Define what’s normal for you.
When you’re dealing with a mental illness, you get to create your own narrative. You have to be intentional about self-care as well. Consider the medication that you’ll be taking and its side effects.
Talk to a nutritionist about the foods you should consume in order to support a healthy mind. Determine what’s best when it comes to sleep. You’ll want to make sure you’re receiving adequate amounts of rest every night. If your job is extremely stressful and triggers the wrong emotions, you might want to consider a new job in a new environment. Your health is paramount.
3. Adopt a symbol to remind you of your strength.
Though suicide should never be an option, many people who struggle with mental issues tend to look at suicide as the only way out. You have to remind yourself of your strength. The semicolon tattoo makes such an impactful statement. While you might’ve had the power to end your life, you chose not to. That’s a great symbol of strength that you can consider for a tattoo.
4. Be honest and open with loving friends and family members.
You have to surround yourself with people who understand your journey. If they can’t understand it, they should at least be able to empathize and be patient with you. Be careful regarding who you share certain information with. Be mindful of those who tend to trigger negative emotions in you. When you’re able to cultivate a circle of love around you, it’s time to be open and honest about what you need in order to thrive.
5. Find ways to intentionally enjoy your life.
Travel and visit new places. Indulge in amazing hobbies like painting, cooking and reading. Develop a consistent exercise habit. Exercise is excellent for mental clarity, an endorphin release and overall health.
Don’t be discouraged by a mental health diagnosis. You can live an abundantly happy life. The key is to shift your perspective to a positive one. If you consistently look for ways to cultivate a beautiful life, you can have it. Not only will you be able to cope with mental illness, but you’ll be able to thrive
Identity Magazine is all about guiding women to discover their powers of Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement.
We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written. In that way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate each other, thus inspiring you to Get All A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re not talking about resignation, rather stepping into, embraced, and owned.
I have accepted that I will never find perfect balance at as a mom, and no matter how others perceive me as a working mom, both being a mom and a professional help me to progress as a woman.
2. Appreciation is everything. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
I’m grateful for the resilience that my trials have instilled in me. As hard as my trials have been they have helped me empathize with others more and to become a better person.
3. Share with us one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
Becoming a mother and feeling the love of my children has been the most rewarding experience of my life. That love coupled with a desire to maintain their love and respect is one of my biggest motivators in life.
