5 Mental Health Tools to Feel Stronger and Calmer

It seems simple, but it’s incredibly eye-opening the day you realize that bad stuff is just as much a part of life as good stuff. If there were no bad stuff, then there wouldn’t be good stuff. We wouldn’t be able to recognize or even appreciate when good things happen. Life would be kind of “blah.” 

It’s easy to think that good stuff (or bad stuff) is “in control” of what happens in life. Sometimes things are just “going your way.” But are they? Here’s the secret that many people who stay calm in stressful situations have figured out – The way you respond to stressful events is much more impactful than the event itself. 

You can choose to make things more stressful or choose to help yourself get through them.

You can learn proven techniques to calm your mind, relax your brain, and ease your body even when stressful events arise. This isn’t about suppressing emotions. That wouldn’t be healthy. It’s about listening to the emotions and re-assuring yourself that you’re going to be okay.

5 Mental Health Tools

1 – Grounding

Guide your attention away from what is stressing you out. Your brain is amazing. When it focuses on something, it makes that thing seem bigger and more important. When you intentionally focus somewhere else, that becomes bigger. Calm your fear center by focusing somewhere else that brings you peace and joy. This will be different for different people since what makes one person be relaxed could be a stressor for another. Try switching focus to:

  • Nature
  • Family
  • Art
  • Faith
  • A rock

2 – Slow Breathing

Rapid breathing makes you anxious. Try it right now. Breathe quickly, and you’ll start to feel a tightness in your chest with increased anxiety. Slow breathing is calming. It tells the brain that you’re safe and relaxed. The brain responds by producing hormones that help you feel that way.

3 – Affirmations

The thoughts that run through your head change your body. This can hurt you or help you. The key to stopping negative thinking isn’t to focus on stopping it. That doesn’t work because then we’re focusing on it and making it bigger. “Whatever you resist persists”- Dr. C.G. Jung.

What does work is this: replacing negative thinking with positive thoughts.

Affirmations are intentional thoughts that support, encourage, and calm your brain. Repeat these to yourself many times a day and when you feel stressed. The more you do, the more naturally your brain goes to positive thinking instead of stressed-out thoughts.

4 – Get Physical

Exercise supports overall health, can relieve certain pain, and improve your mental health. It also raises self-esteem because when you are doing good things for your body, you feel better about yourself.

How does exercise improve mental health?

  • It raises self-esteem because when you are doing good things for your body, you feel better about yourself. Now, you want to do more good things. It becomes a creative cycle.
  • It helps you set and achieve goals. The brain thrives on goals and loves to accomplish things.
  • It causes chemical changes in your brain that support a happier, healthier, more balanced outlook on life.

5 – Give to Others

Acts of kindness improve mental health by giving a sense of reward, purpose, and self-worth. Consider volunteering with an organization that regularly schedules events.

Mental Health Specialists at Jonas Hill

When stress happens, life can feel like it’s spinning out of control. But regardless of what happens, you can learn to manage stress in ways that don’t bring you extra pressure and suffering. We are here to help you explore the tools you already have inside you to do this.

Fear can be a healthy, helpful emotion. Fear and anxiety can protect  you and get you motivated to make smart life choices. But living in constant fear is destructive to your mind and your body. You can learn techniques to overcome that fear and anxiety in order to find more happiness in everyday moments through whole-person healing.

At Jonas Hill, you are heard. We invite you to explore treatment options for depression, phobias, co-occurring alcohol & drug abuse, physical or sexual abuse, and more. Reach out so we can talk.

 

Jonas Hill Hospital & Clinic a division of Caldwell Memorial Hospital provides our community with safe, dignified and integrated care for adult patients experiencing an acute mental health need. We provide hope, treatment, and healing through a holistic program of evidence-based psychiatric treatment, team-based medical care, and education provided by engaging and dedicated professionals in a safe and healing environment. Contact Jonas Hill Hospital and Clinic today at (828) 394-6722 for more information. A safe space to heal.