How Mental Health Impacts Life Skills
The reality is that all of us go through some kind of mental health issue during our life. It might be because of a major life event, such as the loss of a loved one, or a big change that happens in life. Or, it could feel as though the issues have come out of nowhere, perhaps the result of many things building up over time. When a significant issue comes up, it’s important to be able to talk about it.
The impacts that people might see from unaddressed mental health difficulties could show up in a variety of ways. Maybe you’re letting things slip, you skip showering and taking care of your personal hygiene or skipping normal routines. In the short term it could signal the need to give yourself a time of rest. It can be your body’s cue to slow down, take a break, and give yourself some space to recover. It’s important to be kind to yourself, and to give yourself permission to relax. If it becomes a prolonged pattern, it could indicate a developing issue.
One habit that keeps us from accessing care in the early stages of an issue is comparing ourselves to others. We might think others have it worse, diminishing our own feelings, and use this as an excuse to not ask for help. The reality is that all of us are dealing with our own unique individual situations. Our own distress and suffering is real and valid. No matter the source of difficulty, it can be helpful to connect with care before you are in a crisis.
If you find yourself burdened by an issue and starting to let things slip, there are steps you can take. Don’t underestimate the value of routine. For example, just getting up when your alarm goes off, immediately hopping into the shower, putting on clean clothes and starting your day can help put you in a different mindset. You start feeling a bit more like yourself, and you can start doing some of the things that you’ve been letting slip.
When we don’t listen to our body’s need for a break and we keep pushing through, the little things begin to build up and grow. In addition to stress showing up in small ways, it can start appearing in the big parts of your life, like work and family. Suddenly you may feel like you can’t get back on track on your own and don’t feel like your usual self. It’s easy to spiral at that point with feeling down on yourself. This can turn into depression, which is a clinical concern that often needs more help to get through.
When you feel that you’re headed toward a deep hole, it’s important to reach out and talk to someone. That person could be a loved one, or a trusted colleague, or a mental health professional. If you’ve tried to connect with a mental health professional in the past, it may have been a daunting process. Luckily, there are options to help you connect. The behavioral health concierge program is a simple phone call to connect with someone. Counseling is one tool but it’s not the only answer. Simple tools like phone-based resources and different apps can also help achieve great results.
The most important thing is to reach out and ask for help. You are not alone.