[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t is currently estimated that one in four people will struggle with mental illness at some point in their life. Unfortunately, there is a lack of education and mental health stigma that can lead some people to feel out of control of their own lives. If you are struggling with a mental illness, it can seem nearly impossible to stay on top of your life, with all the responsibilities and stress that seem to come with it. Mental illness can become all-consuming, but it’s important to try to stay on top of life and keep going, even when you feel your worst.
If you have been struggling to keep on top of all the demands of life, here are five quick tips to help you regain your sense of control:
Take Care of Your Finances
When struggling with mental health conditions, many people find it difficult to stay on top of their finances. Often, we can find it difficult to turn up to work, budget correctly, and save money. This can be especially true if you are young or a student. Unfortunately, a lot of people struggle with their finances and this will often have a knock-on effect on their mental health until it becomes a vicious cycle.
Being financially stable and able to look after yourself is incredibly important to maintaining and improving your mental health. There are lots of resources available to anyone struggling with their mental health. Organisations offer a wide range of information and resources. If your mental health problem is seriously disturbing your life and having a debilitating effect on your finances, there are also government programs such as personal independence payment or the employment and support allowance, which are given to those whose mental illness prevents them from working and being able to support themselves. However, if you aren’t eligible for these payments or you are unsure of your eligibility, there are online resources such as mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org which provide extra information and support on what your options are.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Mental illness is a serious problem, but because of the lack of mental health awareness in society, many people feel ashamed about talking about their mental health or reaching out to professionals for help. This only serves to make the problem worse, so it’s important to find people who can help you.
Your GP will often be the first person you should reach out to if you feel like you are struggling with your mental health. They can not only offer you practical advice and prescribe medication such as antidepressants, but they can also refer you to further help such as therapy sessions. The most common form of therapy used is cognitive behavioural therapy, and this has been able to help millions of people, so it’s likely you will benefit. You can find some good tips on talking to your GP about mental health at Mental Health.
Reach Out To Friends And Family
Isolation and feelings of loneliness are one of the most commonly cited reasons that many people feel depressed or anxious. It can be daunting or even seem impossible to open up to those around you when you are struggling, particularly if you have financial woes, but they can be an invaluable resource to help you get better and stay on top of life. Friends and family aren’t necessarily a substitute for professional help, but they can provide encouragement, support, and a place to vent when you feel down.
If you feel like you don’t have anyone to talk to, there are lots of online resources to connect people with mental illnesses and help protect them from feeling isolated and alone.
Keep Yourself Distracted
Oftentimes, it can be all too easy to dwell on whatever is getting us down. Especially with illnesses like anxiety and depression, it’s common for sufferers to spend hours ruminating over their illness and feelings, but this can lead to self-destructive tendencies and a lack of motivation. It’s important to try and keep yourself busy and distracted with activities that you love and that enrich your life. Not only will this stop you from dwelling on whatever is getting you down, but it will also hopefully provide you with an outlet to channel your emotions into. This can be the difference between sinking into depression and keeping your head afloat.
Use Your Downtime
It’s very important to know when and how to relax if you’re struggling with a mental illness. Too much relaxation can result in more stress in the long run and a lack of motivation. Too little relaxation can result in burn out and a loss of control. So, it’s important to schedule downtime to take a break from life and make sure that you actually use it to relax and re-charge. This will mean different things to different people. For some, it can mean reading a book and lighting some candles after having a bath, but for others, it can mean going out and seeing friends.
Find what relaxes you and makes you feel re-energised.
