At a time when the global order feels sensitive and precarious, it might be worth seeking out ways to keep your mental health in check. The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent geopolitical instability has left an indelible mark on people's lives. So what can we do?
Turns out there's plenty of advice we can take to heart, as we learned after Redditor bekind888 (fitting username) asked the online community, "What's the greatest mental health tip you've ever gotten?"
"The next morning..."
Never evaluate your life when you're tired.
This is so true. Ever notice things seem much worse at night when worries seem at their worst? The next morning your brain can think of ways to fix them and most times they aren't there the next day.
"Don't take criticism..."
Don't take criticism from someone you wouldn't take advice from.
"What would you say..."
Pretend you are your own child. Weird concept, but hear me out. That negative self-talk that's beating you down - would you speak to a child like that? What would you say to your inner child if someone told them they were an idiot or were fat or were useless or unloved? Practice a little kindness toward yourself. I'm trying really hard to do this & this concept helps me extend compassion toward myself.
"It's okay to not react..."
It's okay to not react to every bad memory that loves to resurface in your brain on the daily. it takes a bit of practice but if you try, you can let those bad/embarrassing/cringey memories just wash up and over you instead of hitting you like a tidal wave.
"Self care isn't always..."
Self care isn't always a bath and a hot chocolate. Sometimes it's giving your head a little shake and doing what needs to be done.
"I'm still learning..."
Parent yourself the way your own parents never did. I'm still learning to do this, but I am definitely much better at loving and forgiving myself.
"The validation..."
The validation you seek from others is validation you refuse to give yourself.
"It's important to remember this..."
Remember you're more than you give yourself credit for.
There are people that might be super focused on their jobs and feel like that's what their whole life is about. Try to remember that you are also a friend, a family member, etc. There are so many different aspects that make up who we are. It's important to remember this, especially when one aspect of our life begins to cause us distress.
"Figure out..."
Figure out who you are and where you want to be before trying to get into a relationship. This after a divorce. Happily married now. Much better place emotionally too.
"If you're not feeling mentally okay..."
It is okay to seek professional help.
I mean, if you had some sickness or pain that wouldn't go away, what would you do? You'd go to the doctor and take care of that. Get some medicine. Advice. A plan to deal with it moving forward.
Yet for some reason, there's a reluctance or a stigma around people doing the same with their mental health. Oh, you're in therapy? Oh, you're struggling with substance abuse? Oh, you're on medications for mental problems? We're not supposed to talk about that! "I went to my podiatrist today" is fine but not "I went to my psychiatrist today" for some reason.
If you're not feeling mentally okay, then go to the doctor that handles that sort of thing. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed about seeking professional help. That's what it's there for.
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