IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY

In a world where everyone tries their best to present their best selves all the time, it can be easy to forget that it is okay to not be okay. The pressure to always be okay can be extremely taxing and can put a real strain on your mental health. Remembering that it is okay to not be okay is important and is a crucial step in advancing your mental health journey.  

     

Let yourself feel your feelings.

We all have bad mental health days and times when we struggle to see the good. Let yourself have these days every now and then. It’s important to not try to run from difficult or uncomfortable emotions but instead to sit with them and give yourself the space to feel and experience them. If we try to instead suppress, ignore, or deny these emotions, we often end up doing more harm than good, as these feelings will just continue to manifest in our lives in different ways. Allow yourself the space to wrestle with these difficult emotions and give yourself extra grace on these days.

Recharge yourself

Recharging allows you to take a step away from the stressors in your life and allows you to refill your mental and emotional gas tank. Engaging in things that energize you or creating spaces where you can relax are fantastic ways to recharge your mental and emotional health. 

Be kind to yourself in these times.

During these times, being kind to ourselves is more important than ever. Letting ourselves feel our difficult emotions without judgment is the first step towards moving past them. Let yourself cry if you need to some days. Take time to practice extra self-care.

Be mindful of the words you’re speaking to yourself on days like this. Be kind and gentle with what you tell yourself.

Set boundaries for yourself

Setting boundaries for yourself allows you to maintain your mental wellness. Boundaries could assist in preserving your mental and emotional energy and provide you with a sense of control that can empower you on your mental health journey.

Reach out to others

Reach out to a friend and let them help you through this time. Don’t pretend with your family that everything is okay when it really isn’t. Letting people help us through these times can speed up the healing process and strengthen our relationships. And it helps others to know that they can also come to us when they may be going through a difficult time in the future. Reaching out to someone gives you a different perspective that can help you put certain things in their rightful place. Writing your thoughts when you’re feeling so overwhelmed helps to our out what’s going on inside you so you can feel lighter.

But you are not alone! Many people around you can support you.

Let go of shame

Shame goes to a person's core and makes them feel something inherently wrong with them. It’s important to release feelings of shame around not being okay. We must let go of the notion that feeling pain means that we are failing or weak. If you do feel this way, try not to judge yourself. Remind yourself that you are human, and it’s okay to feel this way sometimes. Remember that these feelings are temporary and that you have the strength to eventually move past them. Shame is often the trademark in hurting families and is almost always part of the underlying matrix of psychological conditions. As human beings, we are wired for connection. We come into the world needing a connection to survive. When we are in shame, we unravel our ability to connect. Our first reaction to shame is to hide.

Learn how you best deal with stress

Learning how to deal with stress is the first step in alleviating it and helps you avoid burnout. Finding coping mechanisms for stress can look like reflecting on what has worked in the past or talking with your healthcare provider about medications or other treatment options that can be implemented to help support your holistic health.

·        Avoid Unnecessary Stress: Are there certain topics or hot-button issues that stress you out and make you feel overwhelmed? If so, avoid those topics and focus on things that help you stay relaxed and prevent you from getting irritated.

·        Stay Away from Negative People: Don’t hang out with people who stress you out or have a negative attitude. If someone is negatively impacting your mental well-being, it is best to simply not hang out with them.

·        Try Various Relaxation Strategies: Everyone reduces stress and anxiety differently, so it’s important to recognize and discover what works for you and your body to reduce stress and boost your mental attitude. Try these relaxation strategies to help keep you calm and relaxed.

·        Take Care of Your Body and Mind: One of the most important ways to prevent stress and emotional overload is to take care of your body and mind. Did you eat enough today? Have you gotten proper sleep? Are you exercising?

 

Know that this time serves a purpose.

Difficult seasons of life may feel uncomfortable, and we often wonder if there is a reason for our suffering. Times like this stretch us and grow us. They change us. They teach us how strong we are. These times in our lives serve an important purpose. When we take the time to wrestle with the difficult emotions inside us, we do great work within our souls. When we pause to ask the hard questions and give ourselves the space to process our pain, this is when God often does the greatest work in our hearts. These are the spaces in our lives where the character is built.

Try to remember that bad mental health days are completely normal. We all go through seasons of sadness. Remind yourself that you do not always have to be strong and happy. It’s okay to not be okay sometimes. Give yourself a break and be kind to yourself if you’re going through a difficult season. Up your self-care on days like this and reach out to others. You are never alone. Remember that you are stronger than you know and you can get through anything.