If you’re not protecting your mental health right now, you’re either struggling or a superhero. It’s an undeniable fact that stress has become an integral aspect of our daily lives. Before the coronavirus pandemic, there were still ample reasons to stress out, ranging from dirty dishes to climate change. However, the pandemic has added a whole other level of uncertainty and worry that has left even the strongest of us reeling. The importance of safeguarding your mental health in such stressful times cannot be overstated. It’s essential for your well-being as well as for those around you.

Why Protect Your Mental Health?

As the saying goes, you should protect your mental health during tough times for the same reason you strap on a life preserver when you get in the water – not only does it keep you afloat, but it ensures you’re capable of helping others who rely on you. The chaos of life can bring situations that knock you down, and protecting your mental health helps you cultivate resilience, stay productive, and create stability for others who depend on you.

Cultivate Resilience

Resilience is the ability to rise up again after being knocked down. If small things can get you down, you’ll certainly find it challenging to deal with significant challenges. Protecting your mental health ensures you’ll develop the necessary strength to face whatever comes your way.

Stay Productive

When you get constantly caught up in your thoughts, focusing on the task at hand becomes almost impossible. You know all too well what it feels like to fidget and stress but not seem able to concentrate on your work. Safeguarding your mental health is essential as it helps you let go of things that you can’t change and focus on what you can.

Create Stability For Others

Your spouse, parents, siblings, and loved ones rely on you just as much as you rely on them. Your mental health matters because it affects their stability. Even if you’re not their primary financial support system, your mental stability affects theirs. If you can’t maintain a healthy mental state all the time, it will be tough for your loved ones to live their best life.

How to Protect Your Mental Health

Protecting your mental health starts with separating your inner state from everything else. Here’s how to do it.

Talk It Out

The first and most crucial step to protecting your mental health is to speak up. While it may seem like a sign of weakness, opening up to family and friends about your mental health challenges shows that you’re strong enough to acknowledge the shortcomings of your life. To start the conversation, tell your loved ones that you want to share something with them, or ask if you all can talk about something.

Shrink Your Screen Time

With the surge in social media use, it is tempting to spend hours browsing through various social media platforms. However, social media use isn’t conducive to safeguarding your mental health. You could end up distracting yourself from important things or internalizing all the negative news on the internet. Consider limiting your screen time to a specific time each day, and don’t touch any electronic device for the rest of the time.

Avoid Drugs and Alcohol

You might believe that a glass of wine after a long day’s work helps you unwind, but alcohol can exacerbate anxiety. Instead, consider cutting back or steering clear of drugs and alcohol altogether.

Don’t Neglect Your Diet

It’s essential to remember that the gut is the second brain. Therefore, every food you intake affects your mental health. Make sure you stick to a nutritious diet and avoid processed foods that could mess with your gut nerves.

Stay Active

Physical health and mental health are interconnected. Regular exercise can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in some cases. Even though cardio is the best for mental health, any exercise is better than no exercise.

Give Yourself a Break

Taking a break is critical if you want to keep going for the long term. Use the Pomodoro Method: work for 25 minutes, then take a five-minute break. Take a nap, read a book, or call a friend to rejuvenate yourself.

Get Outdoors

Fresh air and sunshine work wonders on your mental health. Go for a walk, run, or even work remotely to clear your head.

Lose Yourself in a Hobby

Immerse yourself in a hobby that you can lose yourself in, like drawing, hiking, reading, dancing, cooking, gardening, or knitting.

Ask For Help

There is no shame in asking for help when things get overwhelming. Mental health experts can provide better guidance on how to protect your mental health during times of stress.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your mental health is crucial in these uncertain times. It will help you remain resilient, productive, and stable for those who depend on you. You must take the steps mentioned above to safeguard your mental health and ensure it doesn’t suffer during stressful times. Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but it shows strength in acknowledging that you need help to protect your mental health.