- These tips are really effective!
We spend a lot of time in our own head and hence, it is crucial that it is a positive and kind place to be in. Taking care of your mental health does take a lot of work and not everything you see on Instagram is actually doable. Let’s be honest, not everyone can afford a quick trip to a different city to maintain the health of their mind. This is exactly why it is crucial to practice good mental health habits regularly.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to remodelling your thought processes. It is not an easy journey and requires dedicated practice. If you are battling depression and anxiety or even chronic negative thoughts, it is strongly advisable to visit a therapist.
We have collected five therapist-approved tips which may help you in getting through a negative day a little more easily.
- Social interaction is important
We understand that there are days when you do not feel like doing anything more than staying curled up in your bed. However, we often underestimate the importance of social interaction when taking care of our mental health. So, if you have been feeling a little down and out lately, get out of your room and go visit a friend. You can also opt for volunteering at an animal shelter if you are not up for any human interaction. Moral of the story? Staying alone is not always the answer.
- Recognize when you are spiralling
When it comes to tackling negative thoughts, it is crucial to nip the problem in the bud. Do not wait for your thoughts to become so overpowering that you are not able to get out of the bed. Act when the first negative thought strikes and do not wait till you are too stressed out to do anything. Remember to breathe and take a timeout when it gets too chaotic for you to function.
- Write it down
If you are feeling too overwhelmed with the number of negative thoughts racing in your head, grab a diary and start noting them down. When you pour your worries on the page, it all becomes collected at one page for you to see. This means it is no longer getting magnified in your head and will also help you understand your thoughts in a better manner.
- Assign time for negative thoughts. As much as we want to control everything that goes inside our head, we know it is not entirely possible. But, you can certainly control the pattern of automatic negative thinking by assigning any time of the day for the same. Give yourself some time to mull over whatever you are stressed about so that it does not bug you all day long
- Focus on the next one hour at a time. If you tend to get worked up easily, start by focussing on the things you need to do for the next hour. So, for example, if you have a big meeting or an exam coming in the next week, don’t fret over it for the whole week. Instead, focus on the preparation you need to do in the next hour. This way, you prevent yourself from thinking negatively about things you don’t need to worry about yet.