Many of us are in a poor mental state without even realizing it. We try to handle everything on our own; We feel stressed out, anxious and keep enduring it until we reach breaking point. At the end, it affects our work, relationships and even our physical health.
That is why we need to always be conscious of our mental health so we can take action when the need arises.
May is the Mental Health Awareness Month and it is also a call to action for us to be more concerned about our mental health.
So, in this article, I will mention some signs that can help you tell if your mental health is poor. I will also give you some tips on how to solve them.
Why It is Important to Recognize Mental Health Issues Early
Being able to tell if your mental health is poor will help you get support early. Whether you need to see a therapist or even make some lifestyle changes, it all starts with knowing first if your mental health is in a good or bad state.
It will also help you manage existing mental health issues from getting worse i.e it will help you know whether you need more serious help like medications, diagnosis, etc.
Common Signs You Are Experiencing Mental Health Struggles or in a Poor Mental State
For clarity, I have grouped them into 3 categories which are physical, emotional and behavioral. Now, let’s get into it.
Emotional Signs of Poor Mental Health
These are the internal signs i.e changes in how you feel inside. Some of them include:
- You feel sad, empty, depressed, and hopeless especially for a long period of time.
- You feel nervous and anxious, sometimes for no reason.
- You lose interests or motivation to do the things and hobbies you used to love.
- You start trying to isolate yourself and withdraw from your friends, family and other social circles.
- You have regular emotional outbursts like suddenly crying, getting angry for no reason, etc.
- You experience constant changes in your mood: One minute you feel happy; another minute you feel sad.
Physical Signs of Poor Mental Health
These are the changes in your body when you are in a poor mental state. Some of them include:
- You experience frequent stomach aches, headaches and even body pain.
- Your eating pattern changes suddenly.
- You start gaining weight or losing weight even without dieting or exercise.
- You constantly feel stressed, tired or sleepy no matter how much rest you get.
- You find it stressful or tiresome to handle your daily activities like bathing, dressing up, etc.
Behavioral Signs of Poor Mental Health
These are the signs that shows up in how you act or behave. Some of them include:
- You start thinking of committing suicide and even attempt it.
- You start taking alcohol or increase your intake of alcohol and drugs.
- You start having sleeping issues like sleeping too much, not sleeping at all, inconsistent sleep, etc.
- You constantly spend time thinking for long periods; Always staring into space and being lost in thought for a long time.
- You are constantly worried and afraid.
- You have a sudden change in behavior like stealing, truancy, fighting, etc.
- You find it difficult to think clearly or concentrate.
- You start experiencing anxiety and panic attacks.
- You start practicing self-harm like cutting, burning or hitting parts of your body like your wrists, arms, thighs, etc.
- You post cryptic and sometimes suicidal messages on social media.
- You find yourself writing suicidal notes or messages.
- You are constantly having negative thoughts.
How Can You Handle/Overcome Your Mental Health Struggles?
- Acknowledge Your Feelings: Yes, it is okay not to be okay. It doesn’t mean you are weak. If you feel tired, stressed, anxious., etc, acknowledge it. Don’t try to hide it or ignore what your body is trying to tell you. This is the first step to improving your mental health.
- Talk to Someone About It: When you are struggling with your mental health, talking to someone about it can go a long way. Just expressing your honest feelings is a major step in improving your mental state.
Talk to someone who is mental health conscious and willing to listen without judgement. It can be your family members or your friends. You can also talk to a professionally trained therapist.
Talking to them will help you find a solution to what worries you.
- Start Journaling: Journaling is a mental health practice that not only provides an opportunity to express your feelings but it brings a sense of peace and clarity to your mind. It can help you process your emotions and identify what is making you feel the way you do, etc.
- Start Exercising: Exercising is one of the ways you can improve your mental health. Regularly exercising will improve your mood, calm your mind and strengthen your body.
- See a Therapist: Seeing a therapist is not a sign of weakness. If you show or think you have any if the signs mentioned above, see a therapist.
If you are not comfortable with a face-to-face meeting, you can book an online therapy session. A therapist will talk you through what you are feeling and help you identify reasons you feel that way. They will also recommend healthy coping strategies to help you reduce and overcome your mental health struggles.
You can book an online therapy session with our therapists here.
- Reduce Your Intake of Alcohol and Other Substances: Taking alcohol and drugs will only increase your symptoms and make you more depressed. That is why you need to control yourself no matter how tempting it may be.
- Eat Healthy Foods: A balanced diet will help to regulate your mood, energy levels, and overall mental well-being. So, eat healthy meals including fruits, vegetables, etc.
- Practice Self-Care: Taking time to rest and relax can help you manage stress and feel more in control. It will also improve your mood and help you be more productive. Examples of self-care practices you can try are meditation, yoga, hanging out with friends, going on spa dates, etc. It can be anything as far as it helps you relax and makes you happy.
Conclusion
Apart from your physical health, you should also be more conscious about your mental well-being and take care of it. Taking care of your mental health is important if you want to live a happy and fulfilling life.
By recognizing the signs of poor mental health, you will be able to take quick and proactive steps to improve it.
If you would like to talk to someone about how you are feeling, book a therapy session with us now.