Your mental health is important. It’s how you think, feel, and behave. It also affects your ability to cope with the demands of day-to-day life. Unfortunately, mental health problems are common. For many people, these problems can be severe and lead to unhealthy behaviors and even thoughts of suicide.
Many might not even realize their mental health is struggling. Sometimes these signs come on gradually, but they can also occur suddenly or seem to have no clear cause. If you’re unsure, we’re here to help. Let’s go over why your mental health may spiral out of control and how you can better it.
Signs your mental health is spiraling out of control
If you’re struggling with your mental health, there are certain signs to watch for that can give you early insight into possible trouble. Physical symptoms such as disturbed sleeping and eating habits, changes in mood or outlook, withdrawal from normally enjoyed activities or people, fatigue, or sluggishness can all be telltale signs of a mental health spiral.
Further warning signs may include unusually aggressive behavior or irritability, difficulty concentrating on tasks, feeling overwhelmed by stress or emotions, unexplained aches and pains, or changes in self-esteem. These are all things to pay attention to if you begin to feel like your mental health is slipping away.
Why your mental health may spiral out of control
There are many reasons why your mental health can spiral out of control. When life isn’t going as planned, it can be difficult to stay positive. Unfulfilled goals or daily struggles can lead you to feel frustrated and discouraged. Over time, if those feelings are left unchecked, your mental health can take a toll.
Growing stress and exhaustion can leave you feeling overwhelmed and out of control, causing your mental well-being to spiral downwards. To make matters worse, this constant feeling of being overwhelmed and losing control can develop mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Things you can do to get better
Taking back control of your mental health can be daunting, but the great news is that you can do plenty of practical things to improve. From monitoring your diet and exercise to seeking out counseling or talking with a trusted friend, taking care of yourself and practicing self-care can make a huge difference.
You can also incorporate creative hobbies. Creative hobbies allow you to express yourself and can bring moments of joy and peace. Whether it be art, music, or journaling, you want to find a creative outlet to express your emotions.
Similarly, relaxation techniques used for overall stress management can have a major impact. There are many things people do to relax. You just have to find what works for you. The key is to ensure it doesn’t cause you more harm. For instance, you shouldn’t resort to drinking alcohol as a way to relax if you’re struggling with an anxiety disorder. Instead, you might do something like get a massage for anxiety management.
All these methods together could help put you back in the driver’s seat of your own life so that you’re handling your mental health instead of letting it handle you.
Final thoughts
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. By recognizing the signs, issues, and stressors in your life that are negatively affecting your mental health and taking steps to address them, you can manage or improve your mental state.
Whether it’s through therapy, regular exercise, mindful activities such as journaling, or other forms of therapy, resources are available to those who need help addressing their mental health issues. With the right professional help combined with some of these self-help techniques, you can regain control of your life and improve every day.
