Improving our behavioral health
Behavioral health covers how we manage stress, form bonds with others, make choices, and deal with life's ups and downs. Our lives are impacted by many things, some of which are really challenging to handle, and sometimes we take up habits that could be detrimental to our health, whether it is drug abuse, emotional eating, withdrawing and isolating oneself when things become difficult, or acting out in some other way.
Below are a few things that can help to navigate through a world that is filled with challenges and concerning news:
Practicing self-awareness and noticing emotional patterns
Creating practices that promote balance, relaxation, and connection
When life feels overwhelming, reaching out to people you can trust
Learning coping strategies that help manage stress at home or at work
Learning about being different, being neurodiverse
Participation question:
What helps you to face life challenges and keeps you balanced?
Seeking Help
Mental stress can cause us not to be able to see the good things in life and lead to excessive rumination or worries, which can result in serious health problems. If you have serious, long-term problems with negative thinking and feeling depressed, see your doctor or talk to a therapist if they are related to any mental challenges.
Are you looking for a therapist? 7 Cups has online, certified therapists with a paid option. For more information on what happens in online therapy at 7 Cups, Read Lisa’s (a therapist and director of therapy) explanation
https://www.7cups.com/forum/therapy/General_2432/WeveLaunchedTalkTherapyon7Cups_319430/
To apply for 7 Cups online therapy, click on this link (must be logged into member account) https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
Taglist thread "Improving our behavioral health," February 17, 2026
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@amiablePeace77
What helps you to face life challenges and keeps you balanced?
To face life challenges, I keep myself calm and focused on the challenges, always believe in myself.
To keep myself balanced, I appreciate what I have especially when it pertains specifically to things others don’t have, keep being my authentic self, be happy and give myself positive affirmations that include telling myself how proud of myself I am.
@amiablePeace77 What helps you to face life challenges and keeps you balanced?
Connecting with the breath helps me. Having a daily routine that includes self care and helping others.
@soulsings
Practicing mindful breathing, doing self-care, and helping others are good ways to feel good in life and that helps us to manage challenges better!
@amiablePeace77
Doing something I'm passionate about, that is just for me.
I like to look good, because when I look good, I feel good.
I like to pray.
To spend time in adoration.
Listen to music.
Make family time count, no phones 🤗🩷
@Amanda84
I really like that you mentioned under spending time with family, "No phones!" That's true quality time with family!
connecting with my friend and listener. She helps me feel good about myself.
@purpleTree4652
Wonderful!
@amiablePeace77
I need to learn how to relax and how to stop suppressing my emotions. I'm tired of being numb all of the time.
@courageouspanda2006
Learning to connect and express your emotions is a great goal and will make you feel more alive too!
@amiablePeace77
What keeps me balanced is looking back and seeing what I've come through up to this point. My study in yoga and eastern philosophy, deep breathing, meditation and keeping myself moving forward with each phase of my life.
@bindugirl
You have a good tool set for staying balanced in life! 👍
@amiablePeace77
It's still not easy or perfect but I keep trying, what else can you do? I also have a trauma story in the way my father passed when I was 20 and learned a lot from it regarding dealing with thoughts and not believing everything I think.
@amiablePeace77 I’m trying to have better behavior and healthier reactions in stressful situations, especially with other people, but honestly it’s hard to keep making those efforts over time. I get overwhelmed easily. When I feel the stress rising, I try not to speak right away and to regulate myself in silence, so I don’t say things I might regret later.
I also recently read about slowing down everyday things when you’re anxious, doing small actions more slowly and I found that really interesting. I was wondering if that’s considered a form of mindfulness? I tried it this morning, but then I forgot to keep doing it during the rest of the day. Still, I’m going to keep trying over the next few days
@whimsyLeaf7957
Learning to interact in a smoother way with others will make life easier! I find the Dearman technique quite helpful. When we feel anxious, our minds are racing already, so doing things slower sounds very mindful to me!
@amiablePeace77
What helps me when I face challenges is just enjoying the present. Although it has been difficult to do so with all these extra stressors in my life, I'm pleased to say that I've started enjoying my brief walks where I can really take in my surroundings. Whether it is from observing the behaviors of squirrels, birds, and occasionally rabbits; or basking in the sunset, I've come to the conclusion that nature really does have a surprisingly great effect! In that short period of time, I was able to momentarily forget my struggles and just enjoy being alive!
@forcefulJet3274
I can very much relate to what you say about nature. Just taking a brief walk in the mornings helps me a lot too in many ways like feeling connected to my surroundings and enjoying the fresh air.
@amiablePeace77 For me altho I may withdraw it will only be for a short while. I will limit how long I am in withdrawal mode just enough time for me to figure out whats bothering me. To allow myself to feel my feelings then I go to God and a former classmate I have known for years to Chat to as well as a member I attended groups with when we attended the day program together. It helps and what also helps is usin’ positive affirmations. I may not believe in wha I am sayin’ at first but say it enough I eventually come to believe it and has helped me to remain positive. I might get down or scared at times but doing the above that I mentioned takes me out of it in only a matter of time thats no longer than a day or two.
@eternalHero77
Good that you found ways to help yourself not get overwhelmed! Our minds believe what we tell them so if I tell my mind over and over again, "I can do this, I will get through," my chances to overcome an obstacle are increased!