Everyone faces challenges at times, but for some, daily life can become even more challenging and overwhelming. Mental health is defined as our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. When one is struggling with mental health issues, one’s behavior, mood, and thinking can all be affected.
Mental health can be determined from family history, life experiences, like trauma or abuse, or biological factors, such as brain chemistry, or a combination of these. Many children have early challenges which often continue through adolescence and into adulthood.
Signs of emotional struggles:
- Inability to accomplish daily tasks, like caring for yourself or your children, or going to work
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Eating or sleeping too much or not enough
- Having low or no energy
- Having unexplained aches or pains
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Experiencing severe mood swings
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not real
- Pulling away from people
- Feeling hopeless and helpless
- Confused thinking and inability to concentrate
- Feeling sad or down for extended periods
- Experiencing excessive fears or worries
There are many different avenues for help:
- For immediate help, dial NH Rapid Response at 1-833-710-6477, or dial 988, or 211.
- Get regular professional help if needed.
- Connect with others who make you smile.
- Help someone in need.
- Be physically active.
- Get enough sleep.
- Learn coping skills.
- Drink water.
- Eat healthfully.
- Follow your inner voice and do something that makes you happy or something you have always wanted to do.
- Build a team around you to help improve your situation.
Other areas to focus on when making a positive shift in your life:
- Work on your strengths.
- Write in a journal, or think about, what you are grateful for.
- Plan a getaway with a friend.
- Keep your bedroom on the cooler side.
- Show some love to someone in your life.
- Eat dark chocolate daily – 1 oz.
- Write a thank you note.
- Have some tea and toast and take a bath.
- Add Omega 3 fatty acids to your diet.
- Take a walk in nature.
- Create healthier boundaries with people in your life.
- Try something new.
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
– Albert Einstein
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
– Martin Luther King
We are all on our own journey through life. I encourage you to find your inner passion, and bring people into your life who lift you up.
