10 PSYCHOLOGICAL TIPS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
- Think positive. Many people tend to put the bad first and worry unnecessarily. These worries will slowly but surely lead to a pessimistic approach to the world, and can eventually lead to some clinical overtones: depressive tendencies, anxiety, etc. Put positive thoughts first.
- Make a diary. A journal will help you sort out your thoughts and write down what you felt (emotions), what you did (behaviours), what you thought (ideas, thoughts, judgments, decisions). Psychotherapists believe that by doing this, people can see themselves better and make better decisions for the future.
- Make a list of people you can rely on. That way, when you have a particular problem, you can talk to the most appropriate person. Don’t run away from people. Many would be eager to understand you and help you, unselfishly. Wouldn’t you do the same for others?
- Swap one negative thought for two positive ones. When a negative thought pops into your mind, try to “sell” it for two positives. Everyone has good memories. It is very important to recall them. If pleasant memories do not come, then “buy” two pleasant wishes from the future.
- Make a list of things that give you pleasure and use it when you need something comforting. Some people enjoy sleeping, some reading, some listening to music or dancing, some calling a friend, some watching a movie or surfing the internet, some like to paint or make things out of reusable materials or sing. What do you really like to do? What is your hobby?
- Ask yourself if what is happening to you is really the worst possible thing. Life can bring a lot of bad things, unfortunately, but very rarely. Is what’s happening to you now one of them, or is it just a minor thing?
- Don’t abuse alcohol, tobacco and drugs under any circumstances. Don’t overindulge in any way (alcohol, tobacco, drugs, medication, food, sweets, abstinence, etc.). Keep your psycho-physical balance: rest, hydrate, eat a balanced diet, relax as much as possible, take walks in the fresh air, sit in the sun and breathe fresh air. Abuse does the most damage.
- Imagine your problems are like a TV set. If you want it to lessen, turn the TV in your mind down or turn it off. Try it! For many people, this psychological protection mechanism, inspired by autosuggestion techniques, works very well. It could work for you too!
- Sometimes you need to plan your life. Once you plan and organize your day/week/month/year, your problems can disappear too. In fact, you can eliminate them yourself, because you take them out of the planning. In this way you can gain time for yourself to spend in a pleasant way. Try it.
- Don’t hesitate to ask a specialist for help. Sometimes the conditions you experience are very complex and difficult to resolve. If you can’t manage them yourself, there’s no problem. Seek specialist help – psychological or medical. Many people do this and get out of trouble.
