Mental health is a hot topic in these covid times, especially for college students and young professionals who had significant moments in their lives affected by the pandemic. This has caused an increase in mental health issues for several people, thus mental health has gotten significantly more attention over the past two years. So, I am compiling a list of strategies that people in their 20’s can use to help handle mental stress.
Journaling
This is my favorite!! I am such a writer (lol hence the blog) so this is so helpful for me. I start each day with “Today I feel…” and just write about how I felt as soon as I woke up. This helps me get my brain going for the day and address any unusual feelings that may pop up in the morning. I also write about my goals for the day and what I hope to achieve in work and personal life. Next, I write my gratitude which helps start the day with a positive, thankful attitude. Lastly, I write out my affirmations. I believe that if you speak positively about yourself and your future, it is more likely to happen they way you want it to! This is just a great way to set your mindset for the day.
Decide on goals in all areas of life
Having goals is essential. They push you to work hard and give you a sense of purpose. I think it is important to have goals in different aspects of your life so you remain balanced. It is so easy to get bogged down with one specific goal, that you let everything else in your life go. I think as 20 somethings, it can be hard to settle down and decide what exactly you want to work towards career wise, so having other goals is helpful to give you a sense of accomplishment. So, you can make goals in fitness/health, relationships, spirituality, whatever you want! Don’t let your goals intimidate you or overwhelm you, make sure they are reasonable goals that you can work towards each day.
Make new friends
Making new friends in different aspects of life, especially during a big change, can be so helpful! Having a friend in your apartment complex, a friend at work, or a friend at the gym can make those places and experiences a little more relaxing. I always like to have a familiar face in case I start to feel anxious or lonely in a new place. Making new friends can be stressful at first, especially if you have social anxiety, but pushing through the awkward will be so worth it!
Try new activities
Trying new things is a great way to make new friends and it is also a great way to find out what you like and don’t like! For example, you could join a rec sports league and make a best friend, or you could decide that it’s not for you. The great thing about that is that either way it works out, you gain confidence in yourself because you got out of your comfort zone. You’ll know for next time you try something new that the “worst possible outcome” isn’t all that bad.
Make exercise a priority
As we all know, exercise helps reduce stress and alleviate anxiety. So, in times of mental stress, it would be a good idea to routinely get some exercise! It could be anything from walking your dog to lifting weights or pickup soccer! Anything that gets your body moving for over 10 minutes is sure to help you feel less stressed and clearer mentally.
Spend time with family and old friends
In times of change or uncertainty, sometimes it’s good to revisit what doesn’t change. That’s your family and lifelong friends. They can bring a touch of familiarity to a situation that would otherwise feel completely different than other phases of your life. Having family or old friends come visit you helps bring everything back to reality. You still have those important connections and they want to see you succeed in your new phase!
Schedule time to rest
Rest is so important for mental health. You can only do so much before hitting the point of exhaustion. The more tired you are, the easier it is to feel depressed or anxious. It is important to know when to pause and reset, so you can continue to be your best. I love resting on Saturday and having chill days. This could be watching TV on the couch or going to have lunch or dinner with friends! I know most people use Sunday to rest, but I love to use it as a reset day so Saturday is my rest day!
Hopefully these tips are helpful in managing mental health at this time in our lives. Whether you are a college student, young professional, or even a young parent, make sure you take care of your mental health so you can be the best you that you can be 🙂
