Bad mental health days can happen to anyone with a long list of possible reasons - in fact, sometimes I'm sure the mind says stuff it, I want to freak out for no particular reason! Whether you know the cause or not, battling mental health symptoms is never pleasant or comfortable. But thankfully for the most part even severe symptoms are temporary and we all can get through them. So today I thought I would share seven tips I've found to make a difference to myself in the hope they help someone else.
1. Distract your mind
When it comes to bad mental health days, whatever you personally struggle with, imposing negative thoughts racing through the mind is a classic common system. However trying to stop those thoughts entering your brain will literally seem impossible at the time! But knowing in advance before such times arise what distracts you from over thinking is a good way to ease this frustrating symptom that really can make you feel so much worse. I personally find that even on normal well days that when taking a shower my brain doesn't think about much if anything at all. The same when listening to music or a podcast I love. So depending on my mood and when my thoughts are racing making my anxiety 10 x worse I will make sure I do one of those three things. We all have times when our mind can't have that inner monologue as easily due to the task we are doing so making an effort to do said task can make a difference.
2. Think about past mental health periods and how you overcame them - to prove it's never permanent
With negative thoughts and worry being common place on bad mental health days it's without a doubt normal to feel that your problems could easily escalate or stay more long term. However this for most people isn't true at all. Being unable to tell yourself that at the time a good alternative is to think of a past period of anxiety or depression that you overcame focusing on how you felt afterwards; the sense of relief and how back to normal you felt. Thinking about how it shows that you are able to do that again. This way of thinking for me has stopped distressing thoughts of how my mental health could go downhill and has helped so much.
3. Still want to go on the internet? Avoid searching for "cures" and look for things that will comfort, uplift or soothe you
With mobile devices to hand it's beyond easy to Google search how to overcome X while X is actually happening. This may be anything from what you feel is altered breathing so you look up breathing techniques, to how to prevent intrusive thoughts. Which may seem like a good thing to do at the time. , try to be aware that any symptoms especially unexpected ones, unless seeming life threatening in which case talking to a professional would the best option to take, are totally normal and common when it comes to mental health. However, for symptoms that you want to relieve for possible future situations, it may be a good idea to seek advice through a dedicated mental health website or charity or even a book when you are feeling clear minded. For me knowing how to take deep breathes properly when having anxiety to calm my breathing thus calming me down was a game changer for me.
4. Let yourself have time to rest and take the day off
Generally trying to suppress mental health problems can do more harm than good. Carrying on as normal may seem like your only option but really assess if you are able to do that and if you are doing it to keep up appearances. Whether it's taking time off work or time alone or the evening to yourself, listen to what your body needs and could benefit from. It's also good to be aware that bad mental health can also affect the entire body so try to take some extra down time to let your body deal with that and also make sure to get enough sleep, even more than you need as it will only do you good.
5. Indulge in something you love, even if it's a more simplistic form of it
Just because your mind has altered in its thoughts and general way of being doesn't mean that you are suddenly unable to enjoy the things you normally love. Depending on what it is (you may want to shorten how long you spend on it/alter it to suit how you feel more) make an effort to give it a try to see how it makes you feel. It may be starting a new TV series or going shopping or baking... whatever it is don't allow negative thoughts to tell you it's better off not doing at all. You may find your attention span is less in which case don't push yourself but still try and you may find you feel more yourself and get a bit of enjoyment out of it!
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