Everyone has responsibilities, but some of us have more than others—so much so that it can be hard to take care of ourselves, let alone take care of our mental health. Nevertheless, no one should be too busy to prioritize such an important aspect of their well-being. Unfortunately, the reality is that so many people are too overwhelmed by everything else in their lives that mental health is not their priority.
If this is the case for you, know that you are not alone. More importantly, know that there are many ways you can take better care of your mental health even if you are too busy. If you want to know what they are, keep reading.
Consider getting a life coach
A life coach and consultant is not a therapist, but they can help improve your mental health by helping you organize your life into something more manageable than what you have now. For example, if you can’t seem to draw the line between your career and personal life, a life coach can help you sort out your priorities so that you don’t compromise either of them. They can help you improve life, put things into perspective, and—in the process—help you get rid of the things that affect your mental health negatively.
Embrace telehealth
Going to therapy is one of the best ways to take care of your mental health, and you don’t even need to have anything “wrong” with you to go to therapy. If you feel overwhelmed with your current job or perhaps can’t adjust to the life of being a new parent, a therapist can help you sort things out and find healthy ways to cope.
But when you suspect that you have depression, anxiety, or any other form of mental illness, that’s when therapy becomes essential. In any case, many therapists are offering online consultations in place of face-to-face meetings. So even if you are too busy to drive back and forth to the therapist’s office, telehealth offers a way to communicate with your therapist no matter where you are.
Check in with yourself frequently
Make it a habit to do frequent check-ins with yourself, even while you’re in the middle of something else. Take a moment to stop and ask yourself how you’re feeling, and then explore that emotion further.
Perhaps you’re feeling anxious at work. Why is that? Is it the end-of-day deadline looming above your head? Or maybe the messy house that you’re going to come home to after work? Process that emotion and whatever it is that is causing it. Then, if possible, do something about that cause, and seek help if you need it.
Self-check-ins are vital because they help make you more self-aware. More than that, they help you build a better relationship with yourself and approach your emotions in a healthier manner than with self-judgment.
Find time for self-care
Even if your schedule is packed, make it a point to make time for yourself. Whether it’s an hour or a whole weekend, spending time with yourself and taking a break from the daily grind is imperative to maintaining a good mental state. After all, everyone needs a break from responsibilities every once in a while—so why shouldn’t you?
Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself either. As long as you’re only putting your responsibilities on the backburner and not fully neglecting them, it’s okay to step back from time to time.
Moreover, self-care is not always about spa days, expensive facials, or Sunday brunches. Sometimes, it’s about sitting in your PJs and watching your favorite show on Netflix—or even just doing nothing all day. Remember: self-care doesn’t have to be productive.
Practice meditation
There is no minimum amount of time for meditation to be effective. Even if it’s just ten minutes out of your lunch break, meditating can help lower your stress levels, allow yourself to regroup, and tune in with your emotions. So, don’t think that you are too busy to meditate. Just a few minutes of sitting in silence can make a huge difference in your whole day.
Many of us are too painfully busy to make mental health a priority, reflecting this generation’s susceptibility to depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental illness. However, being busy is often unavoidable, meaning that for many of us, we just have to find ways to take care of our mental health even with a jam-packed schedule. And as you can see from this article, it is very well possible.
