Modern life can be a stressful affair. Many of us are working harder for less and what we do, both at work and in the home, is often intense to the extreme. It is little wonder then that many of us are looking for ways to bolster our health and wellbeing. Things such as mindfulness are hot topics for debate and activities like yoga have seen a huge resurgence in popularity. And while looking after yourself should be a focus for life, it is even more vital if you are experiencing increased stress or anxiety. It is with this in mind that we take a look at the importance of mental wellbeing when going through difficult times.
The Rocky Road We Travel
A typical day may well throw up some scenarios that will ramp up your stress levels, but on the whole they are easily dealt with and don’t present any real cause for concern. Sometimes, however, you may encounter problems that can be more difficult to navigate — the death of a loved one, divorce or becoming unemployed, for instance, are events that would test the strongest among us.
Symptoms that are common when going through difficult times can include: a loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, irritability, fatigue and feelings of isolation or hopelessness. And it is these very things that can help us identify what we need to do in order to retain our physical and mental wellbeing.
Eat Well Feel Well
As the old adage goes “you are what you eat”. One of the first things you can do when going through difficult times is to eat well. Plenty of fresh fruit and veg will help you fight off illness and making sure you have non-processed carbs, such as potatoes and brown rice, will give you the energy you need to get through the day.
In addition to eating the good stuff, you should attempt to avoid any food or drinks that are not particularly healthy. Alcoholic beverages and foods that are particularly high in either salt or sugar are unlikely to help your cause and so give them a wide birth.
Stay Active
Routine is good for you and so to start with try to maintain your regular daily pattern. Getting up early and getting on with your life means you aren’t mopping around or fixating on your problems – more likely you are taking positive steps to try to resolve them.
If exercise isn’t already part of your daily routine, then now may be a good time to make it so. No matter what type of exercise you choose, experts agree that it will help with your mental wellbeing and of course your physical fitness – plus, come the end of the day, it will help you get a good night’s rest.
Rest and Recuperation
There is little to equal a good night’s sleep when it comes to looking after the mind, body and soul. Again, routine is key and so try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day. Other aids to good rest include setting the scene. Consider things like having a hot, caffeine free, drink thirty minutes or so before sleep, choosing a good book over TV or mobile phones etc and making sure the room you sleep in is appropriately dark – blackout blinds work really well.
Knowledge is Power
It may also be the case that you need to seek help and advice in order to deal with your own personal set of circumstances. For example, those who are going through a divorce would likely benefit from speaking with divorce lawyers and if you have lost a loved one then bereavement counselling could be helpful.
Empowering yourself with knowledge, help and advice can make the world of difference, enabling you to find resolutions to your problems more quickly and therefore helping you to recover your equilibrium and move on.
What are your favorite tips for maintaining mental wellbeing during difficult times?
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