Best Habits For Mental Health

Seek Professional Help When Needed

Sometimes one of the best things individuals can do to improve their mental health is to seek professional help. For some individuals, this might be a short-term need, for example following the death of a loved one or during a significant life change, and for others, developing a long-term relationship with a mental health professional is an essential part of the treatment plan. Mental health professionals, such as counselors and psychologists can help with developing goals, building self-confidence, changing thought patterns, and solving problems. In some cases, a psychiatrist might be needed if medication is warranted. Remember, there is absolutely no shame in choosing to seek professional help when needed. After all, if you were feeling physically ill, you wouldn’t hesitate to see a doctor. Seeking professional assistance for a mental health issue is no different. It isn’t a sign of weakness. In fact, taking the steps necessary to improve your mental health is a sign of strength and commitment.

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Practice Self-Forgiveness

'We are our own worst critics' is a feeling most individuals can relate to, especially during times of anxiety, depression, and stress. While everyone makes mistakes, for many, it can be difficult to forgive ourselves for those mistakes and move forward. We might feel guilty for missing our child’s important school or sports event due to a work commitment, or we might remember our role in a fight with a friend or family member. Some individuals might even have guilt related to their jobs, such as a doctor who was not able to save a patient or a veteran involved in combat. Whatever the reason for our self-criticism and guilt, holding onto those feelings can send us into a downward spiral that is difficult to overcome.

Choosing to practice self-forgiveness is an important step in healing and working towards a healthy mental state. While forgiveness doesn’t stop the pain or the consequences of what happened, it can help lead to a sense of peace and the mending of relationships. When practicing self-forgiveness, it’s important to first examine one’s role in the transgression and acknowledge it. Then, through developing empathy for ourselves, we can begin to look at how we can make things right, such as trying to undo harm, choosing to do kind and generous acts, and practicing self-care. It is important to move beyond ruminating over words said or actions committed and acknowledging to ourselves that it’s ok to make mistakes. While it sounds cliché, the most important part is finding opportunities to learn and grow, even through mistakes.

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