Mental health is something that I think has always been a topic of awareness, and something that has been gaining more attention in recent years, which I think is very important and necessary, as it is something that has affected us all at some point. I think that in this society, we are trained to be workers, to be productive, to spend more time helping others than helping ourselves. I’ve experienced this negative mindset of work over everything, including myself. I feel that I attribute a lot of my self worth to how much work I can complete, or how much I can do in a day. I feel good knowing that I can help others, and can do something that contributes to something bigger than myself. And while I think this trait has contributed to many successes, I also think that this habit has cost me a lot of moments for myself, and has impacted my mental health more than I’d like to admit. I feel that it has taken a great amount of effort to take back control of my life and my mental health, though it has definitely not been an easy journey.

Stigma is something we all are aware of: the unconscious bias we put on other people about their mental wellbeing or struggles. But what about self stigma? Stigmatizing yourself by buying into stereotypes and preconceived notions. I fell into this trap; I believed that I was faking it, I felt that I was isolated and alone, and that no one cared about me or my struggles. I let myself believe that I was different from others, and that my struggles were shameful. I’m here as proof to tell you that this is not true, and you deserve to be heard and cared for.

Mental health affects approximately 1 in 5 adults. It can be family, friends, peers, and you. Everyone struggles with challenges and emotions in their daily lives, but sometimes we become stuck. We become too in our own heads; and risk our mental health. That’s why it is so important to learn coping strategies that can help you improve your mental health and help you feel ready to tackle the world.

In 2019, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I struggled greatly with my mental health and staying motivated. Everything felt dysfunctional and chaotic, and it was hard for me to focus on anything, let alone my mental health. I was struggling with depression, anxiety and burnout, and felt little motivation in life at all. I was just dragging by in my studies, and was leaving no time for my own well being. I was holding onto the belief that if I took time for myself I was admitting weakness, and that my strength was defined by my ability to work. I pushed through my work, trying to find the other end of the tunnel. What I did not realize was that as I kept putting things and other people constantly in front of me, I was only making my well being worse and not better. Though that time was very dark and scary for me, I am happy I experienced it and was able to come out stronger on the other end. When things began to reach the breaking point, I finally reached out for help. In some cases this may be too late, so I urge you to not wait. However, with the help of a skilled therapist and the support of my friends and family, I was able to come out with my mental health struggles and finally open up. That was life changing for me.

Opening up about struggles and having someone to confide in is truly a therapeutic experience. The feeling of community is such a powerful resource in helping your wellbeing, as well as taking time for self care. When I finally reached a breaking point, I decided to get help for my mental health. My therapist really helped me overcome strong inaccurate beliefs and emotions about mental health and mental illness. It provided me with a space to be open, and begin to address what I had been hiding behind my work. I think it’s important to spread awareness about mental well being and coping strategies for those like me.

I felt isolated and alone, but you don’t have to be. Once you get rid of the mindset of isolation, you can realize what a powerful community exists outside you, or even online. You are able to be comforted and find support in others, as well as restore health for yourself. When I began to improve my mental health, I turned to coping strategies such as staying away from harmful social media platforms, spending more time with family and nature, taking mental health breaks, and managing stress by doing therapeutic activities.

Social media is so powerful for connection, but it can also be used to divide. I felt these effects during my mental health plummet, and felt the need to compare myself to others constantly. When I finally decided to detox from negativity, my mental health greatly increased, as I was more focused on myself than on others. Spending time in nature is a mental health tip as old as time. At first I was skeptical if this would work; my family was always telling me to spend time outside, and I had always dismissed it. But by spending time in nature, you reduce your stress levels, and studies have shown that ecotherapy may be more effective than some antidepressants for moderate depression and anxiety. Mental health breaks have also been something that I struggled with at the beginning of my mental health journey. I was such an all-or-nothing person, that was constantly moving from task to task, without stopping to take some time to reflect on myself. But through a lot of self reflection, I am now able to more accurately determine my limits and set boundaries for myself. I am able to take breaks when needed, and help myself thrive through learning better coping mechanisms. Managing stress is also a big factor in maintaining positive mental health. Stress is a natural hormone, and is needed to motivate us. However, too much stress can cause many negative mental and physical health effects. Learning how to cope with something that is no doubt going to be present throughout our lives is an important skill.

To whoever is struggling and needs to take some time with mental health: do not hesitate. Do not be ashamed, or think of yourself as “weak.'' You are a strong individual, and deserve a break and some self care habits. Ways to cope with the stresses of life include:

Schedule a fun activity you haven't done for a while. This can induce sports, art, or even just watching something you enjoy.

Exercise! Though this may seem like it's been repeated way too many times, it is for good reason. Even low intensity exercise such as yoga or Pilates are great mood boosters.

Practice meditation or yoga. This is a tip that I myself implemented in my daily life, as it makes me feel calm and refreshed.

Connect with people. It can be as simple as leaving the house and talking to a cashier. Talking to your friends and family and experiencing that connection is such an important part of our lives.

Seek a counselor. Sometimes friends and family can’t always be there for you, but talking through your problem is extremely important and helpful to clear your mind.

These are just a few things that have helped me and I hope they can help you too!

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