INDIANA – Most people would agree that taking care of our physical health is very important. Taking care of our mental health is equally important, however. Just like we can’t be healthy if we neglect the rest of our body, we can’t be well if we neglect our mental health.
When dealing with mental health conditions, it can be easy to fall into a rut, relying solely on medication or therapy as your cure and forgetting to take good care of your body. However, paying attention to lifestyle choices is essential for mental health recovery as well.
Stress management is a crucial component of this. It begins with identifying the sources of your stress and recognizing the role you play in creating or maintaining your stress level. Perhaps you’re always running late because you’re not managing your time well, or you procrastinate when it comes to unpleasant tasks. Maybe you struggle to say no and end up feeling overworked and underappreciated.
Once you accept responsibility for your stress-inducing behavior, you can begin to feel more in control of it. Recognize your limits and set boundaries. Instead of putting off tasks you don’t like, get them out of the way as soon as possible and move on to something more satisfying or enjoyable.
Some stressors are beyond your control. As a school social worker, I recognize that this role encompasses many of the demands inherent to the practice of social work. There are no quick fixes for clients with complex emotional issues and social justice inequalities in healthcare and education. The same may be true of your job. This is even more reason to reduce the stress you can control.
Developing effective strategies can help reduce stress and make you feel at ease. Some methods are listed below.
- Exercise – Besides improving your fitness level and stamina, exercise has the added benefit of releasing “feel-good” endorphins.
- Spend time with your pets. The unconditional devotion of animals can help put a bad day in perspective.
- Explore your creativity. Purchase some inexpensive arts and craft supplies and enjoy a little creative self-expression.
- Get a good night’s sleep. You’ll be better prepared for the next day if you’re thoroughly rested.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. Instead of trying to do everything perfectly, take the long view and save energy for the things that matter.
- Mindfulness can be translated as “self-awareness.” It is the process of focusing the mind, body, and soul on what is being sensed in the present moment, and it provides insight to observe and understand negative feelings from a distance.
- Get active. Engage in at least 20 minutes of physical activity daily. It doesn’t matter the type of activity. Studies have shown that exercise can reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood, self-esteem, and cognitive function.
Managing stress plays a crucial role in maintaining overall good mental health. Implement some of these suggestions and see the difference it makes!
Brittney Cameron, MSW, LSW, is a Youth First Mental Health Professional at Stringtown Elementary School in Vanderburgh County. Youth First, Inc., is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides over 100 highly trained mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers), prevention programs, parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel to 126 schools across 14 Indiana counties. Over 53,000 youth and families are served annually by Youth First’s school-based social work and community programs, which promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.
