Categories: Mental Health

Healthy Coping Skills To Promote Mental Health

While mental health is just as important as physical health, it is common for people to put it on the back burner when dealing with everything else in life. Fortunately, there are many ways to start prioritizing your mental health with professional care when it starts to plummet. Whether the problem lies in a mental disorder or a rough patch, learning healthy coping skills can help promote better mental health as you move forward in treatment.

Healthy coping skills from a mental health professional

Healthy coping skills and methods are most effective as part of a professional mental health treatment plan. It takes time for treatment to produce results, and these skills often help patients improve their mental health faster. Here are some of the most common coping methods psychiatrists and other professionals recommend:

Take some time for yourself

It is normal to get wrapped up in treatment and forget about life outside of it. Thus, mental health providers often highlight the importance of taking time for oneself now and then. This can be anything from a hobby to relaxing with a movie. Alternatively, people can spend time doing important self-care, such as showering, exercising by walking, or scheduling activities in one’s week. It may even mean cooking a nutritious meal.

This is all the more important for patients who cope with mental health problems by keeping their schedules packed. While staying busy is helpful in some respects, it can be a way to avoid feelings and, ultimately, delay processing them. Learning how to be alone with one’s thoughts is an important skill — and one that a mental health professional can assist with.

Reach out to loved ones for support

Often, mental health problems are exacerbated by isolation or feeling as though one has no one to talk to. Therefore, mental health professionals encourage patients to reach out to loved ones when possible. This may feel awkward at first, but many are pleasantly surprised by how willing loved ones are to help in times of trouble. 

Many patients prefer not to open up about their struggles to their loved ones. These patients may be relieved to hear that reaching out to loved ones is not intended to replace a therapy session, as it cannot compare to professional treatment. The point of talking to loved ones is to combat isolation. As such, it can even help to reach out and talk about a different topic, such as sports, movies, or what is going on in the loved one’s life.

Learn how to practice radical acceptance

This tip can help patients who struggle with matters that cannot be changed, such as the loss of a loved one or being diagnosed with a chronic mental disorder. Practicing radical acceptance means accepting the situation for what it is and admitting that you cannot change it. You can, however, change how you respond to it, such as by using healthy coping mechanisms instead of unhelpful or defeatist ones.

A psychiatrist may recommend practicing radical acceptance as part of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). This therapeutic model involves identifying self-destructive behaviors and replacing them with helpful behaviors, like emotional regulation, to improve quality of life. That said, radical acceptance is not isolated to DBT. Patients can learn to practice it by accepting that they are struggling with a mental health problem and then acting to address it. Talking to a psychiatrist regularly is often the next step.

Try emotion awareness with the help of a professional

The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) recommends trying emotion awareness, the practice of radically accepting emotions and then working to alleviate them during tough times. Addressing anger may mean listening to calming music or meditating, and sadness may be improved by watching a feel-good or comfort movie. Although these may seem like short-term solutions, they can still help.

However, it is sometimes necessary to acknowledge emotions and then do the opposite of what they want. Anxiety is a good example: If one is anxious about going to a party, acknowledge that but still go to the party. This technique is called opposite-to-emotion thinking. Again, this is not to say that anxiety disorders do not need professional treatment. A mental health professional can provide this treatment, as well as help patients practice opposite-to-emotion thinking.

Exercise and eat well

Staying in shape and eating well are not intended as cure-alls or a replacement for professional treatment. Rather, they are known to help elevate the patient’s baseline mood. Exercise can be as simple as going for a walk every day. Good nutrition is a bit more complicated, but it generally involves eating more fruit, vegetables, and healthy proteins like fish. Drinking less alcohol and getting a healthy amount of sleep can also improve a patient’s baseline mood.

Talk to a professional

There is no shame in getting professional help. On the contrary, it requires a lot of strength to take that step. If you or a loved one has been struggling, contact our Myrtle Beach office for an appointment. We are here to help, whether that means diagnosing a mental disorder and discussing treatments or guiding patients through grief and other difficult times.

Request an appointment here: https://mb.futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Ketamine Clinics at (843) 788-9718 for an appointment in our Myrtle Beach office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Mental Health in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Recent Posts

When To Consider Medication For ADHD Treatment

The standard treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or “ADHD,” comprises therapy, skills training, and medication. However, many people wait to incorporate medication into their ADHD treatment. While clients of all ages may see an improvement in their symptoms with therapy and training alone, others find a greater benefit from combining these treatments with ADHD medication.As described…

Exploring The Benefits Of Psychedelic Therapy

Psychedelic therapy uses specific substances in a controlled, therapeutic setting to support mental and emotional healing. It has gained attention for its potential to help people struggling with conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — especially when other treatments have not helped. This kind of therapy is always done under professional guidance…

ADHD Treatment Options For Teens

As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your teen struggle with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD can significantly impact their academic performance, social interactions, and overall health and well-being. However, with the right treatment plan, your teen can learn to effectively manage their symptoms and thrive in school and everyday life.One of the primary…

Safety And Efficacy Of ADHD Treatment

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children and adults. It is characterized by poor focus, excessive activity, and impulsive behavior. ADHD can significantly impact a person's daily functioning, work or school performance, and relationships. Fortunately, several effective treatment options are available. These options primarily focus on a combination of psychotherapy and medication.…

Future Psych Ketamine Clinics

Share
Published by
Future Psych Ketamine Clinics

Recent Posts

When To Consider Medication for ADHD Treatment

The standard treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or “ADHD,” comprises therapy, skills training, and medication. However,…

5 days ago

Exploring the Benefits of Psychedelic Therapy

Psychedelic therapy holds great promise for individuals seeking alternative treatment for mental health conditions.

1 week ago

ADHD Treatment Options for Teens

As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your teen struggle with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder…

2 weeks ago

Safety and Efficacy of ADHD Treatment

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children and adults. It is characterized…

3 weeks ago

Common Questions from Parents about ADHD Treatment

Having a child with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can cause parents to have many questions. These…

4 weeks ago

What to Expect During Treatment at a Ketamine Clinic

A ketamine clinic provides innovative treatment for individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic…

1 month ago