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YOU GOT THIS, RIGHT?

by: Dr. Charla Waxman BS, MBA, EdD Director of Business Development Lake Behavioral Hospital

If you have arrived in spring and are wondering where the time has gone, and how have you gotten here with the incredible amount of stress you are under, you are probably not alone. Maybe a refresher for combatting stress and becoming more resilient is just what you need. Here are some reminders:

YOU KNOW YOUR BODY BEST

Pay attention to the things that tell you your world is not steady. Whether you are feeling fatigued, have digestive issues or a headache, know that these may be stress- related and burn-out may be seeping in. If you are starting to feel this way, maybe take a breather, take a day off, or just sleep in. React and respond to burn-out by taking some time for yourself. If you are feeling really off balance, maybe a mental health check-in would be a good idea. There are lots of places and programs that can help. Reaching out by dialing 988 can offer you someone to talk to confidentially about whatever is on your mind.

YOU KNOW YOUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH HISTORY

If you already have a history of depression, you may already know the signs. Sleeping too much, not sleeping at all, not eating or overeating may be some early onset clues that you are not at your mentally healthiest. Before you start isolating and pulling away from friends and family and pleasurable things begin to slip away, reconnect with a therapist or talk with the one you may be seeing now to let him/ her know that you are feeling unwell. Don’t let depression get ahead of you. Be preventive in your thinking.

YOU KNOW WHAT BRINGS YOU HAPPINESS

Whatever it is that makes you feel happy, try to plug it into your day. De-stress by reading, walking, exercise, or spending time with a friend. Make sure that your joy is not mixed up in things that are overdoing it, like drinking, drugging, overeating, or even binge shopping. The results of these are short term, with a long term not-so-positive impact. Treat yourself well.

YOU KNOW WHEN THINGS ARE PILING UP

A new phrase that is making its way around the mental health world is” task paralysis”. This phrase is such an accurate way of describing what it feels like when things begin to clutter your mind. Although we believe we are multi-taskers, suddenly we find ourselves “frozen” and unable to get even a single thing completed. This is fair warning from your brain that you are “full”. You need to slow it down. Take one task at a time and breathe!

YOU KNOW WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT

You may start to feel like your work space or home space, although comfortable, just isn’t enough. Get up and out. Research is pointing more and more to the value of spending time outside in the fresh air. It doesn’t even have to involve major travel, just a few minutes in a park or local forest preserve can make a difference. Taking in natural colors and sounds can be rejuvenating. Use the time to enjoy nature. This could be a good time to journal or sketch, too. Many people find great solace in church and this may be how you find that “something different” that can bring you light.

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU MUST HAVE

There are just some things that you stand firm on. They may be beliefs, they may routines, or they may be ways of doing things, but they are foundational to you. If these things are healthy for you mentally and physically, hold tough. Keep on being you.

USING AFFIRMATIONS AND HARNESSING POSITIVE THINKING

The power of affirmations lies in repeating them to yourself regularly. It’s useful to recite your affirmations several times a day (have them pop up in your notifications!). You should repeat your affirmations as soon as you engage in the negative thought or behavior that you want to overcome.

When stress and burn-out are taking their toll in ways that make you feel depressed, anxious and out-of control, please find your way to a mental health professional to help you sort things out.

Calling 855-990-1900, can put you in touch with mental health professionals at Lake Behavioral Hospital. A free mental health assessment can help determine what level of care is the best match for what is going on with you in the moment.

Don’t hesitate to call and make an appointment or just walk in, 24/7/365. They can help; it’s what they do!

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