While things seemed to be improving following the events of 2020, there have still been plenty of challenges. From the Delta variant and breakthrough COVID cases, to the anxiety of returning to school, the office, or other social settings—we’ve had plenty to cope with already (and the year isn’t even over yet!).
Throughout all of it, it’s clear the need to prioritize emotional fitness is more important than ever. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Day, we offer five of the best pieces of mental health advice experts gave us this year:
Track your anxious thoughts to find your triggers.
“Having the same thoughts repeatedly can be frustrating and exhausting. Tracking or logging when these thoughts begin, what you’re doing at the time, what’s around you, can be helpful to learn if there may be triggers in your environment. If you find it difficult to implement this on your own, seeking social support and therapy can offer huge relief and skills so that you feel more competent when anxiety does arise.”
Read more about how to stop anxious thoughts in their tracks, here.
Forget FOMO & embrace the joy of missing out.
“I have seen firsthand how much stress and anxiety FOMO can cause, and how that heightened stress response can trigger health problems and exacerbate symptoms. The joy of missing out (JOMO) gives us a constant chance to reflect on what is going on in the present moment. With a more mindful outlook on life, you can take the time necessary to unpack anything from your past—good or bad—and use it to make the best decisions for your future.”
Accept your limits when supporting a friend with anxiety.
“While it’s great to listen and be available, you don’t have to pretend to be all-knowing in order to be a good friend. If [a friend] says that talking with you doesn’t feel helpful, you might consider gently telling them you understand how frustrating the situation must be. Then, explain that you’d love to help more but that you think maybe the most useful thing you can do is help them seek out a therapist so they can get the knowledgeable, professional support they deserve.”
“In order to both create a healthy gut microbiota and help decrease levels of inflammation, following a Mediterranean-style diet may be optimal. With a focus on fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds, seafood, and plenty of olive oil, this dietary pattern will do all of the above and potentially help improve mental health by decreasing symptoms of depression.”
Read more about how food may help with depression, here.
Stop saying “it will be OK” & focus on what is certain.
“We cannot control the uncertainty side of the scale, which is why saying, ‘Oh, don’t worry about that,’ or, ‘It will be OK,'” doesn’t work—because we know it’s not true. We can’t control the uncertainty. What we can control is focusing on the other part of the equation: our belief and confidence in ourselves of being able to handle it. That focus is really what helps us support our mental health in the big picture.”
