While physical health is talked about all the time, we often forget to take care of our mental health, and as a result, stress, sadness and insecurity build up. We can take active steps instead of harboring negative emotions to maintain mental health and stay sane no matter where we are in life.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Controlling Your Sanity
Step 1. Start taking control of your life
Staying sane is about feeling in control of your life. Although we can't control everything, dealing with problems calmly and setting long-term goals will give you power and control.
Step 2. Make a list of things that make you happy and safe
Maintaining sanity is about knowing your needs, wants and feeling capable of fulfilling them. While it's easy to get caught up in negative emotions, we must remember to talk about what makes us happy. Take the time to write down, not just think about, a list of the things you love in life.
- Think about what relaxes you, the people you care about, the successes you've had, what you do for fun, and locations that make you feel "at home."
- Resist the urge to be critical. Just think about what makes you happy, whether it's something as simple as "cupcake" or something as complex as your career.
Step 3. Do the activity you are good at
When you feel like you can't take it anymore, doing something you're good at strengthens your sense of self-worth and your goals. You show yourself that you can create success and control life.
- Find a hobby and dedicate time to practice.
- Being proud of yourself makes work easier and accomplishments more satisfying.
Step 4. Pay attention to situations that make you feel "crazy"
Whether it's being around coworkers or shopping for groceries at the end of the day, you should pay attention to when you feel overwhelmed and avoid the situation when it comes up again.
- If someone in particular is making things difficult for you, say "I'm sorry, but I have to go now," or go to the toilet for a bit.
- Remove yourself from situations that make you feel stressed or worry uncontrollably, even for a moment.
Step 5. Recreate positive patterns in your life
If, for example, you don't like noise, bright light, and crowded spaces, you've probably realized that living in a city isn't the right lifestyle to stay sane. On the other hand, if you feel satisfied and comfortable when you're with your soulmate, remember how important that relationship was when times were tough. Recreate patterns that maintain your sanity, and break patterns that don't support your sanity.
Take a personal approach to your day. Think: what must "you" do to be happy? Don't worry about what you have to do to make other people happy
Step 6. Never equate yourself with one disease
You are not a disease. Change saying "I'm bipolar" with "I have bipolar disorder." Replace calling yourself "schizophrenic" with "I have schizophrenia." By not allowing a mental health disorder to define you, you keep in control of your life and your sanity.
Having mental illness is not your "fault"
Method 2 of 4: Keep Calm and Sane
Step 1. Surround yourself with positive people
The people we associate with have a huge impact on our mental well-being. If you find yourself in a group of people who are harassing or distracting, or even a group that makes you stressed or anxious (such as your boss, work group, or friends), distance yourself and join the people you feel comfortable with. A good friend:
- Support.
- Doesn't disappoint, insult or belittle you.
- Listen to your problems.
- Make time to play, chat, and talk to you.
Step 2. Listen to music
Music has been shown to reduce stress, relieve feelings of depression, and reduce anxiety. In fact, the health benefits of music are physical, because music contributes to physical health and sleep quality. Find music you like and listen to it when you're feeling stressed, like on your way home from work, at work, or when you get home after a long day.
Step 3. Learn meditation
Meditation is one of the oldest and most effective ways to combat anxiety, depression, and psychological stress. To meditate, take 10-15 minutes a day to relax intentionally. Sit in a comfortable, upright position and focus on your breathing while you relax your body and mind.
Meditation need not be burdensome; even doing it for 15 minutes a day has been shown to provide health benefits
Step 4. Use fragrances to create a naturally calm atmosphere
Incense, candles and fresh air will calm you down in times of stress and create a positive atmosphere around you. Lavender, for example, was found to relieve anxiety in dentist patients. Other odors include:
- Peppermint
- Tea
- Jasmine
- Lemon
Step 5. Go outside
Being out in the sun and fresh air is proven to be healthy, from easing depression to improving your outlook on life. Walk outside, take pictures, or sit on the terrace to enjoy the benefits of the fresh air.
If you live where it's too cold to be outside, consider having plant lights to compensate for the lack of daylight
Step 6. Exercise when you feel out of control
Running, swimming and cycling have been shown to reduce anxiety, depression and nervousness tendencies, and not just in the short term. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain and takes your mind off problems.
Do "push-ups" and "sit-ups," watch an aerobics video, or try yoga if you can't go outside
Method 3 of 4: Promotes Good Mental Health
Step 1. Maintain good physical health
Time after time, studies show that taking care of your body promotes strong mental health. Make sure you eat well, exercise regularly, and see your doctor if you have any problems or concerns. Interestingly, the reverse is also true, and good mental health results in good physical performance.
- Sleep regularly, and for at least 6-7 hours a day.
- If you consume alcohol or smoke, do so in moderation. Never use substances as a life support.
Step 2. Be socially active, even when you don't want to
Socializing helps to talk and laugh with other people instead of being preoccupied with one's own thoughts all day. Socializing has not only been shown to have health benefits, it can also lead to opportunity and advancement, which many find satisfying.
- Keep in touch with old friends and family.
- Look for groups and gatherings that match your interests in your area. For example, if you know a foreign language, consider joining a discussion group.
- If you don't like large groups, try to see a close friend once a week.
- Even working in a cafe or walking through a crowded park can expose you to other people and potential friends.
Step 3. Have a sense of humor
It's easy to get swept up in negative feelings, but laughing at misfortune and misfortune is one of the best ways to stay sharp and sane. Humor can 'reset' negative events from a positive perspective, relieving stress and anxiety while finding the bright side of the situation.
- Laugh at yourself. Besides being uncritical of yourself, you don't need to take life so seriously that you don't enjoy it.
- Infuse humor into the conversation by telling jokes or asking "if anything funny happened to them recently."
- Approach people who like to laugh. Laughter is contagious, so join people who laugh or joke a lot.
Step 4. Focus on experiences, not things
Buying "stuff" does not contribute to continued life satisfaction. Experiences such as vacations, family meals, or works of art have been shown to increase happiness, sociability, and well-being.
Step 5. Give it to someone else
Being philanthropist has a huge impact on your life as well as the lives of those who need it. Give a gift to someone who needs it, but don't expect anything physical in return. Bringing happiness to others will make you happy too.
Step 6. Learn something new
Educating yourself gives you a sense of fulfillment and purpose, and allows you to take control of your life and your sanity. By broadening your horizons, you open yourself up to new opportunities for happiness, and often learn about yourself in the process.
- Enroll in an online course at a university to help regain sanity in your career.
- Enlist the help of friends and neighbors to teach you their favorite hobby or craft.
- Play an instrument or start creating art. Learning to be creative can free your mind from the practical worries of life.
Step 7. Continue to work towards achieving long-term goals
Write down your goals and, more importantly, write down the steps you can take to make them come true. Many people feel lost when thinking about the future, leading to unnecessary stress and insecurity. If you break down your goals into small, manageable tasks you will work on them more easily. Celebrate each time you reach a milestone.
If you want to be a writer, start with 30 minutes of free writing a day. Then, set goals for writing and revising full poems or short stories. Decide to start a blog after you have written 10 articles. Having concrete benchmarks makes the end goal feel more attainable
Method 4 of 4: Avoiding Mental Disorder
Step 1. Know the signs of a mental disorder
If you feel as though you are overwhelmed with life and have no choice, you may be heading for a serious emotional or mental episode. Signs of a mental disorder include:
- Violent thoughts or suicidal thoughts
- Chronic loss of concentration
- Rapid mood swings and depression
- Lack of care and distraction
- Feeling great pressure
- Extreme weight changes
- Substance abuse
Step 2. Slow down your life
Often, insanity stems from a feeling of not being able to control one's own life. When things are chaotic, chaotic, or stressful, take a deep breath, relax, and look to life in the long term.
- Resist the urge to squeeze more and more into your schedule, thinking you're "missing" things.
- Revisit the list of things that make you happy, and pursue them if you haven't already. We are very easily distracted from desires, but try to get back to them.
Step 3. Learn to say "no
If you are on the cusp of a mental breakdown, you should focus on your own needs, not those of others. Do the things you want to do, and don't be afraid to say no to commitments.
- If your boss needs you to work harder, respectfully say that you "have to take care of yourself right now." If you need to talk to HR, do it.
- Don't worry about hurting your friend's feelings. Your reliable friend will understand that you need time to feel better.
Step 4. Talk about your feelings
This doesn't need to be with a paid therapist, it could be with a friend, partner, or family member. If you communicate your feelings regularly, you can take control of your mental well-being and gain a new perspective on your problems. Just being listened to can make us feel less lonely and feel more sane.
- This conversation need not be a dramatic event. Often the conversation feels better when it presents itself.
- If it feels awkward at first, don't give up. Learning to talk about yourself is important for long-term sanity.
Step 5. Remain calm in the face of adversity
Often times, losing your cool will only make the problem bigger and more tense. In fact, stress hormones sit in your brain more than two hours after a confrontation. Take a breath and think about the pros and cons of losing control.
Count to ten, go to the "fun place" in your heart, or put on headphones and play a song you love. Find anything that helps you calm down
Step 6. Take a vacation
Even 5 minutes of sitting in the parking lot can change your perspective on your problems and give your brain some much-needed rest. While you shouldn't run away from your problems, temporarily step away from your problems to clear your head when things get messy.
Use your leave. Leave is built into work not without reason, and avoiding the "horse race" is easy when you're away from home for a week
Step 7. If you still feel lost, confused, or unstable, talk to a professional
Seeing a trained psychologist or psychiatrist is not a disgrace at all. If you're caught in a cycle of negativity or hopelessness, talking to a doctor is often your best bet. If your knee is injured, you see a doctor, so you should do the same with your brain.
- You can look for free channels online if you're feeling really desperate.
- Most campuses and many cities have free counseling centers that you can use to make an appointment.
Tips
- Put yourself in positive situations by surrounding yourself with people you trust.
- As much as possible, find the bright side of every event so you can stay happy and hopeful.
- Smiling often increases happiness, and invites others to be kinder.
- Make time to do activities you enjoy.
Warning
- Call 112, or emergency services in the event of an accident or serious episode.
- If you feel that life is no longer worth living, please seek help immediately.
