Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Guest Author
Published: November 11, 2020
Written By Dr. Harry Horgan- Guest Contributor
Keeping your minds healthy and stable during tough times can be quite difficult. Even the strongest of people tend to have a breaking point, and things such as a worldwide pandemic can break them. In cases like today, it’s hard to stay positive or optimistic when there’s a rising death toll with no solution.
You feel helpless and hopeless. You want the suffering to stop, but you’re just one person. You can’t take away the pain from the whole world. You just have to wait and try to hope for the best. Psychiatrists at neurology hospitals in Dubai recommend that those feeling emotionally vulnerable, especially younger ones, seek help immediately and get the support they need.Whether it’s professional help, or simply support from friends or family, it’s vital to have someone to help you through it. There are also ways you can keep anxiety and stress at bay by practicing simple techniques at home.
Acknowledge and accept your feelings
Avoiding or ignoring negative emotions only escalates them in the future. You try to run away from your emotions thinking that it’s the best way to avoid them and that they will go away on their own. All this does is pushes your emotions away temporarily and they will come back at a later time. While your emotions may be overwhelming, talking about your emotions and experiences can help you cope with them. Talk it out, write about it or even cry – these help human beings cope with sadness and grief and help us get that well-needed emotional release.
Make Time for Mental Health
During tough times, it’s important to do what we can to keep our minds healthy. If all you do is worry and work 24/7, your mind will never have a chance to relax and recuperate. Taking even an hour out of your day away from work and stress will help you keep spirits up and prevent episodes of burning out. Do what makes you happy; whether it’s rewatching your favorite television show or eating junk food (in moderation), or even pampering yourself to skincare.
Of course, it’s hard to make time for things you enjoy if circumstances stay grim for a long period of time. But if you keep up the habit of taking a break every now and then to relax or do something you like, it will get easier to relax each time you try.
Meditate
Studies have proven that meditation has significant benefits on our overall well being. A few minutes of meditation every day can help calm negative or anxious thoughts. There are many apps, videos and techniques online that can help you meditate especially if you’re a beginner. Meditation is known to improve heart health, mental health, immune response, and can also lower stress levels, decrease blood pressure and improve healthy ageing of cells.
Practice Gratitude
While the world may seem full of negativity, we have to try to be thankful for what we do have. Regularly expressing gratitude can change the molecular structure of the brain and makes us happier and healthier, according to UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center.
When you practice gratitude on a daily basis, you are creating an environment for yourself that’s full of positivity and this will help promote a positive mental state. Take a few minutes to reflect on aspects of your life that you are grateful for – family, friends, pets, music, the options are endless. While doing so, take deep breaths and you will find your mind and body becoming more calm.
Limit Time on Social Media
Sure, social media has been beneficial to many this year as we’ve all been able to connect with loved ones across the world. But even social media has its downsides.
Apps and platforms are constantly full of the latest news, and in recent times, it’s mostly negative. Turn off notifications for apps you know will cause you distress. Unfollow accounts that spread negativity online. Excess exposure to media in general can be stressful and have extremely negative outcomes. Following the news is helpful, but put your own mental health first.
Ask for Help
We don’t have to go through tough times alone. It is undoubtedly tough to ask someone for help. There’s always a fear that people will judge you and make you feel worse. In situations like those, you need to be direct and tell them that you’re looking for support and compassion, rather than criticism.
Seek help from your loved ones and let them know how you’re feeling. This will also help you connect with them on a more personal level. Talk it out, listen to each other and remind yourselves that you are not alone. We need to have emotional support in tough times so that we do not spiral and cause further distress to our minds and bodies.
About Harry
This piece was written by Dr. Harry Horgan. As a specialist in a leading German Neuroscience Center in Dubai, he loves to write on important issues that are related to mental health and neurological treatments in his free time and has contributed to various blogs and online publications.
The views expressed herein this article, written by a guest contributor, do not necessarily represent those of the Red Hot Mamas organization. The content is for informational purposes and should not substitute the advice of your doctor.
