Stylist: 4 easy ways to practise ‘everyday mental maintenance’
“Is your mental health all over the place? Here’s why the concept of ‘everyday mental maintenance’ could be for you.
Everyday mental maintenance is a proactive, bite-sized approach to looking after your mental health. Most of us understand what helps to maintain our physical health daily, so it’s not surprising then that when we apply the same consistent and step-by-step approach to our mental health practices, we get good results.
In fitting with its simplistic ethos, there’s no one ‘right’ way to practice everyday mental maintenance. However, the following 4 ways are here to give you some inspiration.
To start with, all you need to do is make a conscious effort to check in with yourself. This will help you to be more aware of how you’re feeling on a daily basis. Try taking a few deep breaths and ask yourself ‘how do you feel?’ and allow the feelings to emerge. Then, ask yourself what you need – it could be food, rest, or validation. Listen carefully and act accordingly.Check-in with yourself
To start with, all you need to do is make a conscious effort to check in with yourself. This will help you to be more aware of how you’re feeling on a daily basis. Try taking a few deep breaths and ask yourself ‘how do you feel?’ and allow the feelings to emerge. Then, ask yourself what you need–it could be food, rest, or validation. Listen carefully and act accordingly.
Make space for all your emotions
No matter what emotions come up during your daily check-in, it’s important to reserve judgment and allow your feelings to flow through. Society tends to send us the message that if we’re not happy, there’s something wrong with us. Normal, natural emotions are too often seen as negative or positive. A natural response to painful experiences is to avoid thinking about them, but research tells us that when feelings and emotions are ignored, they amplify. The only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside us. Allow yourself to feel (both heavy and light) without judgment, let them teach you what you need to know.
Be open with others
When we’re struggling, it can be tempting to hide how we’re feeling from others by putting on a ‘mask’ and presenting ourselves in a certain way. Not only can removing this mask help you to confront your emotions and feel less alone in how you’re feeling, but it can also encourage others, too. Because we meet such filtered versions of each other, we think we are the only ones who are struggling. Over time, the filtered version of ourselves grows bigger and our real self shrivels. Being able to recognize and share our own humanness and experience of other people is a powerful, reparative, and connecting experience.
Say no to busy
Our fast-paced modern lives convince us that busyness is the be-all and end-all–but that’s just not the case. Saying no to being busy all the time will not only give you the time you need to rest and unwind, but it’ll also give you space to work on other areas of your life, too.“
Read the complete article here.
#Well-being #MentalHealth #SelfCare
@globalBraid3744
"The only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside us. Allow yourself to feel (both heavy and light) without judgment, let them teach you what you need to know." ~ Gosh! So simple yet so powerful and deeply impactful.
Thankyou for this wonderful article, Braid. ❤
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Right? I also liked this passage in the article! ❤ Thank you for taking the time to read it and replying.
@globalBraid3744
I tend to ignore my feelings but I am in the process of learning to manage them.
I think the daily check-in can be very useful,and it is a simple idea. Thanks!
@mary31
It is great you are learning how to manage your emotions! I agree that daily check-in can be useful despite being simple. One thing that is also helping me to process my emotions is by labeling them, you can watch this short video about how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51GCxbzomHo (there are also more parts that teach you how to label emotions accurately if you are interested. I wish you all the best!
@globalBraid3744
thanks for the tip, I appreciate it :)
@globalBraid3744
Just finished an overtime shift at my work. Definitely need to read this and practice this more frequently.
@sunnyWriting4806
What do you usually do to relax after work?
@globalBraid3744 I love how you emphasized the importance of saying no in today's busy world. It's really hard sometimes, but it's more beneficial for our mental health and staying sane! Taking care of ourselves is most important!
@globalBraid3744
Braid, what a worthwhile article. Yes, it reminds me of the "small simple step" on the growth path. Even a glass of water can make all the difference at times.
@VioletVeritas
I'm glad you found the article worthwhile! It's true, sometimes even the smallest, simplest steps can have a big impact on our personal growth and well-being. It's important to remember that progress is often made one step at a time.
@globalBraid3744
Thanks for this, just what I needed to hear 👍
@VeeoStar
I'm glad to hear that the message of this post resonated with you. Sometimes we all need a little reminder or encouragement, and I'm glad I could provide that for you.
@globalBraid3744
i love this community post because it helps us indentify with ourselves as the "me" - taking time in every day to manage one's own thoughts, activity and emotions is a healthy way to go about life.
@NewYorker11
Well, said! Identifying with ourselves as individuals and taking the time to manage our thoughts, activities, and emotions is crucial for a healthy and fulfilling life. It's empowering to prioritize self-care and self-reflection.
@globalBraid3744
Agreed! self-identification is self-empowerment! thank you for your kind words of encouragement, i greatly appreciate it!
@globalBraid3744
If the below is true
"Research tells us that when feelings and emotions are ignored, they amplify."
I have had my emotions dampened by huge amounts of prescribed medicines. This is so I don't hurt myself or others. In this case how do I feel my feelings without doing something horrible as my HATE will have gotten worse because of it?
@Gettingbettertoday
This is a very good question. Sometimes medication is important. However, in addition to medication, therapy can be a useful tool in helping you navigate and understand your emotions. Techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help you develop healthy coping strategies and manage intense emotions. A therapist can work with you to gradually reintroduce and process your emotions in a safe and controlled way :)
@globalBraid3744
Thanks for sharing! I really needed to see this today 😞
@empathicPresence9091
I'm glad you found it helpful! :)
