My blog focuses on Health/Wellness. Our mental health arguably the most fundamental part of our overall health. It can be the most difficult aspect to fix. The following contributed post is entitled, What To Do When Your Mental Health Hits Rock Bottom.
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Knowing what to do when your mental health hits rock bottom is a critical life skill. Understanding when you are in that place and what to do is critical. Many people go through a void of hopelessness. However, small and intentional steps can help you spiral out of it and get back control of your life in the way that you want. But what should you do?
Reach out for professional help
The first thing you want to do is find somebody who can help you with your mental wellness. A counsellor, psychiatrist, or therapist should only be a phone call away. Once you have this professional support in your orbit, it becomes easier to deal with challenging situations and circumstances.
Even if you feel terrible, you know that there’s somebody on the other end of the line or somebody who can visit you to provide assistance and talk you through the challenges that you’re facing. You can also get specialist assistance that is tailored to preventing any further decline, so you can bounce out of a difficult situation rather than fall into it.
Practice basic self-care
Next on your list of priorities should be to practice basic self-care. If you can get this during a challenging episode, you will often find it easier to move through it. For example, you might want to stay hydrated or eat a little food. You should also look into how you can maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Once you have these fundamentals in place, it becomes easier to build your foundation. You no longer feel blown around by the wind but have a structure in place to support your mental health recovery.
Talk to someone you trust
Next, you want to talk to somebody you trust. This could just be a friend or a family member who can be with you while you’re going through this difficult time. Sometimes just a simple conversation is enough to lift you out of a low mood and help improve how you feel.
Add gentle movement
You can add gentle movement, like a short walk or exercise, and that’s also highly beneficial. This can release endorphins and fight off depression in a highly effective way. One of the most effective movements is dance, but you can try anything, really, including swimming, hiking, going to the gym, cycling, or anything else that you enjoy.
Be mindful
Even if your symptoms are bad, being mindful and staying in the present can be a great way to reduce anxiety or depression. You can simply focus on your experience of the moment and how it feels. Being more tactile and in your body is often a great way to avoid being stuck in your head.
Reduce alcohol and substance exposure
Finally, it’s generally a good idea to reduce alcohol and substance exposure when your mental health reaches rock bottom. Many people get into dependency issues when they try to use these items when they are suffering the most. They often find that they provide them with brief relief but then an addictive cycle can begin.
