When To Take A Mental Health Time Out
Shit has been crazy lately.
Millennial women across the country are feeling like the shit storm will never end. While that feeling is 100% real and valid, it can easily become a trap that keeps us stuck longer than we’d like.
If you’ve been feeling stuck in the muck for a while, it may be time for a well deserved mental health break.
TIME TO SIT THIS ONE OUT?
You’re strong. You’re resilient. But you’re also human. And that means you’re not infallible: shit from the outside world affects you, even if you’re not aware.
Maybe you haven’t been able to sleep at night: you’re waking up every hour because that noisy brain won’t shut up.
Or you’ve been really irritable: every little thing everyone says is beyond annoying & all you want is for everyone to shut the fuck up.
You’ve been drowning your face in Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked (so yummy, though!). You’re not answering your DM’s. Staying home alone has been your main outlet for months now.
If this sounds like you, it’s time to sit this one out!
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
So things haven’t been great lately but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to help yourself through the chaos.
Try a few of these tips:
Listen to your body. Our body has this amazing way of letting us know when we need to take a time out. Be mindful of what your body is saying: you may need rest, you may need social interaction. Whatever it is, as long as it’s healthy, do it.
Remember: feelings are not facts! Emotions play an important part of our existence; after all, if we didn’t have them, we’d be screwed. But sometimes the way we feel does not accurately reflect the situation at hand. The next time you notice a distressing feeling (or thought!) come up, acknowledge it and let it move away from your awareness gently. Don’t apply any judgment: just let it flow like waves of the ocean.
Set appropriate boundaries. This one can be tough. You don’t want to disappoint anyone, but you just don’t have enough energy right now to participate in every single girl hang on the calendar. That’s okay! Let the people in your life know you love them but you need to prioritize your mental wellness right now. You need a break from the noise. It is possible to communicate your needs effectively AND be respected for them at the same time.
Break out your sensory self care kit! Don’t forget your travel sensory kit! Bring it with you wherever you go so you always have some way of de-stressing in the moment.