7 Coping Skills for Mental Health

Caring for your mental health is essential for living a fulfilling life. When effectively managing your mental health, you can work, attend school, socialize, and take care of your family. You also have a more positive self-image and are better equipped to handle life’s stressors.

However, sometimes you will struggle with coping with mental health challenges. It’s estimated that one in five adults experience a mental health issue. You might feel confused about how to help yourself when you’re struggling. Not knowing how to cope can cause mental health issues to progress.

Thankfully, there are various tips you can utilize that will help you stay mentally healthy. Here are seven tips to help you cope with your mental health.

#1 Engage in Physical Activity

It has been proven that exercise is great for your mental health. When you engage in physical activity, chemicals like endorphins and serotonin get released in your brain, giving you a boost. According to a 2006 article published by Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, regular exercise can reduce depression and anxiety and improve a negative mood.

Mental and physical health are connected, so taking care of yourself physically can positively impact your mental state. Exercising regularly can also increase your energy levels and improve your self-esteem.

You don’t have to do strenuous exercise to reap the benefits; even trying an activity like yoga or walking can help. Of course, you can try engaging in physical activity for 30 minutes multiple times a week, but any exercise is better than none.

#2 Ask for Support

Sometimes the best way to help yourself is by asking for support from others. So often, battling with your mental health comes with feeling like you’re not worthy of having others to rely on. However, having a support system is essential when you’re struggling. You don’t have to face your struggles alone.

Having a strong support system can offer you many positive benefits. They’ll listen and help you work through what you’re experiencing. Your support system can consist of family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. This will be a group of people who care about you. They will encourage you and uplift you when needed.

When you seek external support, you give yourself a chance to work through your problems instead of dealing with them alone.

#3 Find a Creative Outlet

A creative outlet can be a great distraction from your feelings and a way to express yourself. Putting your frustrations into some form of creativity can boost your mood. You don’t have to be artistic to find relief in creativity, just get started and see where it takes you. Some creative outlets you could try include writing, drawing, painting, playing a musical instrument, taking photos, or dancing.

#4 Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques are a great way to reduce stress or cope with other mental health problems. The symptoms you’re experiencing may feel unbearable but having a few things that help you relax is vital to your mental health. Some relaxation techniques you could try include meditation, yoga, and grounding.

#5 Practice Self-Care

Self-care is often portrayed as bubble baths and face masks, and while these things can indeed be viewed as caring for yourself, sometimes self-care involves doing something you don’t feel like doing. Nevertheless, self-care is a necessity, and it looks different for everyone.

If you’re dealing with mental health struggles, it may be challenging to do things like wash dishes, clean up your space, shower, or schedule doctor’s appointments. But, as hard as it may be, you shouldn’t place yourself on the back burner. Doing what you’ve been putting off could also help you feel better.

#6 Positive Self-Talk

It’s easy to get wrapped up in negative self-talk. When this happens, the best thing to do is replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk. For example, if you feel like you’re not enough, you can tell yourself, “I am good enough.”

How you talk to yourself matters. It takes time to reframe your thinking; try not to lose hope if you don’t notice a difference the first few times you do this.

#7 Seek Professional Help

If you’ve tried several coping skills and nothing has helped, it could be time to seek professional help. This may look like working with a therapist who will assist you in getting to the root cause of your problems. A therapist will also help you come up with additional coping strategies. Finding a therapist specializing in your specific issue is important because they’ll be better equipped to support you.

Having the right tools and support system will significantly improve your mental health. While it may seem like you have to battle your troubles alone, you don’t. If you’re struggling with a mental health disorder negatively impacting your life, help is available. Seeking treatment can help you learn how to process and work through your thoughts and feelings. It can improve your mental health and help you work through your problems. Alter Wellness Care is an outpatient mental health facility in Laguna Beach, California. We work with individuals experiencing a range of mental health problems. Our outpatient program focuses on maintaining and improving mental health. At Alter Wellness Care, you’ll work with professionals who care about helping you become your healthiest self. We offer different therapy modalities and individualized treatment plans. If you’re ready to receive help, call us today at (866) 311-3510.