Many of us struggle to cope with our lives’ daily struggles, that’s why it’s imperative to having effective coping skills to better our mental health well-being. Here’s a few to try!
by Troop Atomic Mommy
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No matter how resilient we are, many of us will experience periods of poor mental health, and when that happens, it is good to have some healthy coping skills to boost our mental health well-being.
Below are some of the best mental health coping skills, that are pretty easy to put into action. Of course, if your mental distress is severe, then you might need to talk to a counselor or physician, but you can still use these coping mechanisms alongside any medical treatment.
Do Something Crafty
This might seem like a trite suggestion when you are feeling mentally low, but actually, numerous studies have shown that doing something crafty, even if it is just coloring a few pages from a coloring book, can help distract you from mental distress, lower anxiety and boost mood, and it’s a really easy thing to try. So, draw, paint, color, or knit- you might just be surprised.
Meditate
Meditation is amazing for your mental health. If you are feeling distressed, taking some time out to sit down, close your eyes, and focus on your breath can work wonders. It can help you clear your head and get some space from troubling thoughts. It can also help you live more in the moment, which means you’ll worry less, too. A lot of people shy away from meditation because they think it is too complicated or too hippie-dippy to be of any use, but it can be life-changing. So give it a go, you have nothing to lose from trying it.
Play With a Pet
If you have a pet, then you might be interested to know, that spending some time playing with them or even just snuggling up on the couch with them, has been scientifically shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels and boost endorphins. Pets are our faithful companions and they can also be a good source of comfort when we are not feeling our best, so give them some love and you’ll both benefit.
Go Outside
When you are not feeling your best mentally, it can feel impossible to get up. Put your shoes on and head outside, but if you can find it in yourself to do so, it is one of the best things for depression, stress, and anxiety. It can even lower your blood pressure. The key is to get out into an area with lots of nature to immerse yourself in even if it is just the local park. Heck, why not head to the local dog park and pet some dogs, then you’ll get the benefit of two coping skills in one.
Read a Book
If going is too much for you, try nestling up with a good book and get immersed in a completely different world from your own. Reading a book will take you out of your head for a while, and if the story is gripping enough, you won’t think about your problems for a few chapters. Bibliotherapy is so effective that many psychiatrists now prescribe it to their patients.
Laugh
Again, this might sound odd to do, but it has been shown that laughing, even if you are faking it, can boost mood, so why not put on your favorite comedy special and laugh, laugh, and laugh some more?
Talk to Someone
A problem shared is a problem halved, so if you are feeling down or struggling with various aspects of your life, talk to a friend, family member, or a counselor. You can find great people who are literally professionals at listening by visiting sites like the Delphi Behavorial Health Group. They’ll listen to your issues whether you are suffering from substance issues or emotional ones. It can be hard to take the first step and let someone know how you are feeling, but you will feel so much better once you do.
Make a Gratitude List
Listing things you are grateful for, even if it is only a great cup of coffee or a nice sunrise, will soon have you feeling lighter inside. Or even a lot better about life. When we dwell on the negative, it causes us to feel lower than normal. By writing down the things in your life that you are grateful for, you’ll be causing positive thoughts to surface and this could help push the negative ones away.
The Takeaway
Try any of the above coping strategies that appeal to you, even if you don’t feel like it right now, because they can and do help. But in case you are struggling or feel as though you lack the emotional coping skills for better mental health well-being, then talk to someone right away.
