Sometimes, a positive attitude and a little pep talk aren’t enough. Sometimes, the wounds you carry with you in life aren’t ones you can tend to with quick hugs and your favorite dessert. Taking care of yourself emotionally often involves taking greater steps, and while that might sound a little scary, they have the potential to change your life for the better by making you more understanding of yourself and others.
Reach Out
Most of us could use a little support now and then, whether from a friend, partner, family member or professional. It can be hard to reach out — many people are afraid of being vulnerable, rejected or misunderstood. But having someone there who’s willing to help you work through your emotions, or even just offer a listening ear, can be both liberating and satisfying. Social support is an important factor in maintaining good mental health.
Join a Support Group
Support groups are another powerful form of social support. There may be times when what you need is not someone close to you, but someone who can offer you a completely fresh perspective without the biases of a loved one. Support groups are unique because they offer you the chance to interact and share with people who have similar stories to yours. When you’re going through a hard time, it’s important to know you’re not alone.
Avoid Toxic Relationships
The word “toxic” may get thrown around unnecessarily at times, but it does fit the kind of relationship that can seriously harm your mental health. Whether it’s a partner, friend or family member, there could be someone in your life who tries to take advantage of you or purposely treats you cruelly — and that isn’t okay. If you have the ability to remove a relationship like this from your life, you may ultimately find it saves you a good deal of emotional exhaustion.
Acknowledge Progress
No matter how small, all progress is good. Your brain might try to tell you that you’re not enough, or that your daily successes aren’t important. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having dreams or striving for better — but if you’re always searching for something and never taking the time to appreciate just how far you’ve come, you might find yourself disappointed. If you can’t shoot for the moon today, try somewhere a little closer like your own front yard. This is just one way you can make the effort on your own time to be a bit kinder to yourself.
What a simpler world it would be if we could all just pat ourselves on the head during hard times and go on our merry ways. Instead, the path to comfort and healing can be challenging and difficult to navigate. But while it may take time and a little bit of bravery, these tips can be an excellent place to start.
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