Signs that you need to care for your mental health

Signs that indicate you need to care for your mental health.

•  Change in sleep patterns

If you are sleeping too much, find it hard to get up in the morning, feel sleepy all day, or if you have difficulty sleeping, or staying asleep these are all signs you suffer from burnout, anxiety, stress, or depression.

•  Loss of interest and passion

It is normal to feel sad sometimes or to lose the will to do things that used to make you happy before. But if you are sad all the time, and you lost the passion for things you used to enjoy, this is a sign of mental health decline.

•  Irritability

Do you get angry and upset easily? Do you find yourself snapping all the time? Are you experiencing unexplained mood swings? All these are red flags that indicate your mental health is not OK. Due to depression and anxiety, you might find it hard to control your feelings.

•  Body aches

There is a strong connection between mental and physical health. If you constantly have a headache, digestive issues, or different body aches, in addition to excessive sweating and accelerated heart rate this means your mental health needs attention.

•  Decreased Energy

Having less energy than usual, facing difficulty concentrating, or finishing tasks are top signs that our mental health needs our attention. If you face these symptoms talk to your doctor about referring you to a professional.

•  Changes in Appetite

Our appetite is affected by our mental and emotional state in different ways. Some people might lose their appetite, while others seek comfort in eating so they eat excessively. If you notice any of these changes it is time to pause and evaluate your health.

• Social withdrawal

If you are not feeling OK mentally and emotionally you would want to stay away from friends and family, fearing they won’t understand what you are going through. However human connections especially with people we love drastically improve our mental state.

•  Memory difficulties

Recent medical studies showed that there is a connection between memory decline and being depressed. So, if you always forget where you put your keys, parked your car, or what time you have to pick up your kids from school, it is time to seek professional help.

• Change in demeanor

You might not notice all these changes, but if the people around you point out a change in your behavior or mood, don’t feel embarrassed and don’t rush to be defensive, take their input seriously and pause to care for yourself.

Steps to care for your mental health

•  Getting enough sleep.
•  following a healthy, balanced, and rich-in-nutrient diet while cutting on sugary and processed foods. 
•  Exercise daily even if it is for 15 minutes daily, even if you can’t join a gym, a few minutes of walking, dancing, or Yoga, are enough to make you feel better.
•  Meditating, and journaling to write down feelings and thoughts.
•  Going out with friends and expressing your feelings to them.
•  Drinking enough water.
•  Quit smoking and drinking.
•  Seeing a mental health professional get an evaluation, consult, and treatment.

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