There are a lot of things that can affect your mental health in your life. If you’re feeling like you’re in a rut that you can’t get out of, there are a lot of common reasons for why that could be. We’re running down the most common reasons and seeing where you can improve things.
Look at your job
One of the leading causes of poor mental health is your job. Maybe you’re unfulfilled in the role you have, maybe it’s too difficult to balance life and work, maybe you don’t think you’re making enough, etc.
Maybe it’s time for a shakeup. Make a list of everything that bothers you about your job and highlight anything that can be solved in the office. Does your office chair kill your back? Do you think you’re underpaid? Are you looking for room to grow?
Before doing anything more drastic, approach your superior with these problems. You can take a class online about how to ask for a raise, or even downgrade that to a decent chair, if you’re anxious about talking to your boss. If you suffer from anxiety a lot, take a look at these grounding techniques for anxiety to help you out.
However, sometimes something more drastic has to occur. If you’re not satisfied at work, maybe you need some flexible working hours. It isn’t just for the parents of the world, although it is invaluable to them. No one needs to know why you would like some flexible working hours, just that you need them. You might just need to break up the day to avoid burnout or find life easier working at your own pace. If you’re not working directly with customers, chances are it should be an option.
And then the final drastic move is to find something else. Find something that puts a fire in your belly. That’s obviously easier said than done, especially in the current economic climate, but it will be worth the work when your mind is focused on something beneficial.
Look at your health
Physical and mental health go hand in hand. One always affects the other. Of course, a lot of that is out of our hands. A diet isn’t working, a long-term condition is diagnosed, the support for your health isn’t there, societal issues aren’t helping, etc.
However, exercise has been proven to give mental health benefits and so has nature, which is why you’ll get a lot of doctors telling you to go for a walk in the park to get you out of your rut.
It’s hard to believe, and the last thing you want to do most likely, but if you can force yourself, you won’t regret it. You might even find yourself looking forward to the next time. Focus on the feeling of having accomplished something. The destination, not the journey.
But you can always make the journey easier so as to not worry about the destination. The health industry will have you believing that the high intensity gym bro way of life is the only way to get healthy, but you’re not looking for gains: you’re looking for endorphins.
So, there’s two ways you can make exercising easier: with fun, or with lower impact.
Sticking with the gym, if that’s your workout of choice, you can make the effects easier on your body with low impact exercise. Walk on the treadmill, use the rowing machine, use the bikes, use the weights, etc.
Think about it. If you take a run, your bones and muscles are destroyed for a week. Getting out of bed hurts, never mind trying to run again. Instead, take a long walk on the treadmill with the incline up for a tough workout that won’t put you out of commission for a week.
And then there are the fun options. Dancing is a good one here. But if you don’t want to destroy your ears in the club, you can find a class and actually learn some steps. Go wild swimming if you were born part mermaid, or paddle boarding. Take a burlesque or pole dance to gain muscle and confidence. Don some skates and hit the ice or roller rink. Try out rock climbing. There are lots of options out there.
Look at the people around you
Sometimes the issues in your head are being caused by the actions of the people around us. Small things can build up and up in people we trust. They chip away at us until we’re a shell of who we were before. It might not even be with malicious intent, but it’s important to get them out of your life in order to put yourself together again. They can be a family member, a partner, a friend, a co-worker, etc.
And chances are, while you were reading that, you had someone pop into your head. That’s telling. You might not have had reason to think of this person, but something is disturbing you about them. Then again maybe it’s obvious. Maybe their behaviour is more blatant than the occasional snide comment.
Take a look at your situation and see how, if at all, you can establish boundaries. Maybe tell that co-worker that you’re not looking to make friends at work and to address you only if it’s about business. Maybe talk about your husband going to his mother’s place with the kids alone.
On the other hand, maybe you’re feeling a little lonely. Maybe getting older has meant less friends are nearby, or you’re more selective about who you spend time with, but you’d like someone to talk to who isn’t a partner or family member.
A good first step here is to find a hobby. Not only will pursuing something you are passionate about be boost to your mental health in itself, but it will give you a foundation to build on with someone else. You both can strike up a conversation about your hobby and engage, with luck, in something bigger.
There are also apps that are encouraging making friends online to meet in real life. We’re in a more isolated state than ever, and people are becoming less shy about the idea of pursuing friendship. So, download Bumble and switch to friend mode, or Meetup to see what’s happening in your area. Meetup isn’t just about talking to people, but meeting them, while detailing events like book clubs, gigs, and other community events and hobbies.
It might even be beneficial to start something new. Is there something you’ve wanted to do but haven’t had the time? Make the time. Whether that’s cancelling weekend plans or taking a few days off, look into trying what you’ve wanted to for a while and find a new passion to pursue.
Look at a professional
Unfortunately, this is no guide curing depression or anxiety. If you’re having ongoing and severe mental health problems, you’re not going to find the answers to making things easier on the internet. This is simply to serve a temporary slump.
If you’re worried that the way you’re feeling now isn’t going to go away soon, you should contact a professional. Speak to your family doctor and see what they can recommend. Maybe they have a list of services that can help you out.
