Easy little tips for managing mental health
Each year, around one in every five Australians will experience mental illness. Mindframe also reports that Mental illness is the third leading cause of disability in Australia.
Furthermore, Black Dog Institute reports that 54% of people with mental illness do not access any treatment, and this is worsened by delayed treatment due to serious problems in detection and accurate diagnosis.
But mental health isn’t just about managing a condition. It’s about checking in with yourself, understanding your own limits, and managing stress in a positive way. At some point in our lives, every person will have to endure a high-stress period that puts strain on your mental health, physical health, and relationships. Regardless where you are in life, here are five quick and easy ways to positively manage your mental health.
In an interview for media outlet Self, David Klow, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and author of the book You Are Not Crazy, suggested high impact but unintimidating ways you can improve your mental health and cope with stress. Here are 5 of his suggestions from the interview.
1. Vent
“Venting helps you get out your frustrations, that's one of the reasons why it can be helpful to keep a mental health journal… Just take five minutes or so a day to write down your thoughts, feelings, or ideas. This can be especially helpful if you want to keep track of changes in your moods or behavior over time.”
2. Walk
“Getting out into the world and connecting with life is usually healing, as is the rhythmic nature of walking. It can help get you out of your head and into the world.”
3. Practice self-care
“Everyone has certain things or coping mechanisms that give them a boost when they’re feeling crappy, Maybe it's taking a bath, maybe it’s putting on the sweatpants with three different holes in them, whatever. Just make sure whatever it is, it's accessible when you really need it.”
4. List ‘your people’
“By building a list of people that you trust, with whom you can talk to in times of need, you allow yourself a strong sense of not being alone.”
5. Talk back
“Everyone has an inner voice, but sometimes that voice can be cruel. Learning to have a reassuring and soothing inner voice can make a big difference in improving your mental health.”
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