There are days you wake up and think: Not today, please. Days when the constant notifications from WhatsApp or your phone generally make you want to scream. The truth is, we all need a break from the chaos and distractions that come with everyday life. And the desire to shut down may just be a prompt from our consciousness to prioritise our mental well being.
Think about it: We are bombarded with prompts for attention every day – from our phones, laptops, TV, advertising boards etc. And we are constantly being told what a good or successful life looks or does not look like. Or what you should have achieved at a certain age. You can find yourself having different conversations with different people across different platforms all at the same time, each conversation demanding your full mental attention. Phew!
If you are not careful, these social demands can lead to a lot of stress that takes a toll on your mental health. But this doesn’t have to be you. Here are a few tips on how to take better care of your mental health.
Have a gratitude journal
There are many great social, psychological, and physical health benefits that come from documenting your life events and giving thanks. Most therapists recommend this. Make it personal and don’t put pressure on yourself to write ten things every day. It’s not really about quantity, though if you dig deep, you will most likely find quite a few things to be grateful about. Write down your achievements as well, no matter how small and be grateful for them.
Don’t compare yourself with others
This cannot be overemphasized because sometimes we forget. You can draw inspiration but never compare. Your journey is unique to you and we are all at different stages in life. No one really has it all together. At best we have simply mastered the art of ‘packaging’. Focus, enjoy, celebrate and revel in your journey and your life. This will bring much more peace and happiness.
Affirmations
Speaking great things to yourself every day gives a mental boost. You can have them on your phone or write on post-it notes and stick it on your wall. It’s also a good idea to memorise them. You may be about to step into a meeting or handle a presentation and you may just need to remind yourself how awesome and capable you are.
Shut out the noise
When it gets too much, you may have to shut out or reduce the noise. Maybe take a break from one or two social media platforms or even stay off watching TV series for a bit. You will know what you need to get rid of for the time being. Call it a detox, a fast, but in the way the body needs sleep to function, sometimes your mind just needs a little break. And don’t just detox, also find soothing and relaxing activities to replace the activities you’ve cut out for the time being. So you’re not just taking away, you’re adding something worthwhile as well.
And finally, pace yourself. You don’t have to be doing everything you want at the same time. Sometimes we take on too much and we crash. Society has given us deadlines, but you determine your timelines and go with what works for you.