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When you have to cope with things throughout the workday that can affect your mental health, it’s important to get familiar with your usual triggers. Maybe, with a few adjustments, you can avoid some stressors altogether. But if you can’t avoid them, there’s one thing to do. Figure out the support system that works best for you and ensure you have easy access to it.
Try Mental Health Support Apps
For support you can take with you wherever you are, you might consider apps designed to support your mental health. These are great for when smaller triggers come up. You can put in your headphones or take your phone to a quiet place and do some simple exercises to ground yourself. But you don’t need to be prone to anxiety attacks to benefit from one of these apps. Guided meditation, affirmations, and mindfulness programs are good ways to check in with yourself even when nothing is wrong.
Talk To Someone
Another option to cope with a variety of issues is simply to talk to someone about how you are feeling. This can be a friend, family member, or therapist. You can also write in a journal, especially if circumstances prevent you from seeking the appropriate person right away. Some people find it beneficial to write their immediate thoughts and feelings down, then bring those notes to a therapy session to process later in a safe space.
Seek Help From a Mental Health Professional
Bigger struggles need more support from qualified individuals. This might mean setting up weekly appointments with a therapist to process issues and develop actionable strategies to protect your mental health. It might also mean consulting a psychiatrist to diagnose conditions that can be treated with medication. For some people, rehab or group programs provide the most effective kind of support.
Nearly one in five adults in the U.S. has some form of mental illness according to the National Institute of Mental Health. If you’re struggling, remember it’s never too late to get the help you need.
