Welcome to the “Dealing with Mental Health” page! This is to help with guidance and support on your journey or maybe you are supporting someone else on their journey. Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and seeking support is a sign of strength and progress.
*Disclaimer: This is for educational and informational purposes only. This is not to substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Since mental health is complex, some things will work for people and some things may not. While we strive to keep the information on this page accurate and up-to-date, “Nurturing Your Best Self” is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Additionally, the links to external resources are provided for convenience, and we do not endorse or guarantee the content of these third-party websites. It’s important to consult with a mental health professional for personalized advice and support tailored to your specific situation. By using this page, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer. Remember, your mental health is a priority, and there is help available. Don’t hesitate to reach out to qualified professionals or your support network when needed.*
If you have read some of the mental health conditions that people may experience from the “Mental Health Insights” page, here are some techniques to help with coping with those (information is from Self-Help Techniques for Coping with Mental Illness):
1. Radical Acceptance
This is accepting entirely that you have this condition and that you can do something about it. Avoiding the condition/illness entirely or pretending you don’t have it won’t help you at all but continue to harm you. Accepting yourself and your condition will in the long run help with taking care of yourself!
2. Deep Breathing
One of the breathing exercises that the website gives is the “537” breathing technique where you breathe in for 5 seconds, hold for 3 seconds, and breathe out for 7 seconds. These techniques are to help with anxiety and will help relax the body. Another technique you can do is the “box method” which is breathing in for 4 seconds, holding for 4 seconds, and breathing out for 4 seconds (4-4-4 breathing + other techniques).
3. Opposite-To-Emotion Thinking
This is just acting the opposite of the emotion you are feeling. For example, if you are feeling like you need to isolate yourself because you are feeling upset, the opposite is to surround yourself with people who are loving and supportive of you which can help you get out of that feeling. It can be hard to do this but with practice, it can become easier to do ultimately minimizing the negative feelings.
4. The 5 Senses
If you are experiencing a crisis emotionally/mentally, using “the 5 senses” technique can help. If you are thinking of a situation you have experienced that is causing you to feel very upset, irritable, etc. going through the 5 senses in that moment you are in can help relax and calm you down. Look around your surroundings, feel what is in front of you or the chair you are sitting on, listen to the sounds in your surroundings, smell the perfume or cologne you are wearing, and eat a snack. This will help your brain not focus on the traumatic event and to center and calm yourself down.
5. Mental Reframing
This is taking a negative thought you are thinking and having a different perspective on it. For example, “Finals week is going to be so hard, I don’t know if I will do good,” what you can instead think is “Finals week can be complicated but I know if I pace myself and put as much effort in everything I will be successful and get through Finals!” This can help with having a more positive mindset instead of thinking negatively a lot about things.
6. Emotion Awareness
Denying the feelings you feel will ultimately harm you but recognizing them will help you take the next steps in how to fix it. You have control over how you feel and how to manage having a mental health condition. If you think in your mind negatively you will expect negative things all the time. Expect the positive and the positive outcome of your situation. You are strong with each battle you face every day, you can get through this!