Written by Menswear Style in Health & Fitness on the 13th July 2022

Mental health is a complex subject to approach for many people. Conversations surrounding it can seem invasive or inappropriate, and you have likely struggled at least once with feeling inadequate or as if the advice you gave someone didn’t convey the depth of what you wanted to say. Reversely, you may have received guidance from others that may have left you feeling like you were misunderstood or even judged for your feelings and beliefs. While most individuals are well-intentioned when trying to transmit their advice, it’s not uncommon for miscommunication to happen. Therefore, if you’ve been dealing with anxiety and your stress levels have spiked up recently, you may be wondering what you can do to keep them at bay and unwind. When you’re constantly dealing with panic, it can feel nearly impossible to escape the suffocating feeling. While nothing can guarantee your anxiety will be completely cured, there are a few habits you can develop if you want to reduce your apprehensions and disquiet so you can breathe more freely.

Talk to a therapist 

It can seem like a no-brainer, but the truth is that many people feel reluctant to ask for the help of a counsellor. This is mainly due to the societal view toward therapy, which often stigmatises the patients and rudely labels them with unfavourable epithets that mock their need for help. The other factor is that human beings often struggle with opening up and being vulnerable for fear of being judged or ostracised. Gendered expectations placed on how people should act put people at a further disadvantage. For instance, men are often expected to fit the stereotype of being stoic, enduring anything and everything, and being virtually immune to pain, especially of the emotional kind. Not fitting in that box can come with attacks, being tagged as weak or un-masculine, which can feel like a negation of your identity. This mindset poses many problems, as men can turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with their anxiety or depression, such as substance abuse. It’s essential that you don’t follow down that path, as it will become an additional challenge to your mental health journey. If you start noticing warning signs such as feeling generally overwhelmed by mundane life events, overthinking, disrupted sleep patterns during which you sleep either more or less than you usually would, changes in your mood, increased irritability, as well as a general feeling of anxiety, you can’t seem to shake off and doesn’t resolve on its own even after stressful life events have passed, you should consider getting help from a professional counsellor. They can help you better navigate your emotions, make sense of them, and use them constructively so that your anxiety won’t hinder your daily life.

Be careful when online 

Social media is great. It’s the perfect place for entertaining content, and you can enjoy yourself by talking to friends regardless of their geo-location. You can also share meaningful moments and experiences of your life on the platforms. After all, a happy event only becomes happier when other people can enjoy it with you. However, while the internet is a wonderful thing, for the most part, it can also pose certain risks to your well-being. One of the most obvious drawbacks is the possibility of cyber crimes. Data theft is becoming an increasing problem, owing to the expanding reliance on gadgets and software. While there are ways to keep yourself safe, such as creating strong passwords that you change regularly and not sharing private information online, the unfortunate can still happen. Such an event can come with notable challenges and may cause significant stress, especially if more complicated issues, such as identity theft become part of the problem. The best way to deal with this is to ask professionals for help. Choose data breach lawyers to support you in finding the justice you deserve. When you are assured that your case is in capable hands, the burden on your shoulders will be lifted, and you can also set aside your fears about the outcome. There are many other ways in which social media can impact your mental health. One is FOMO, the fear of missing out on experiences and life events you feel like you should be having because you see people online having them. This mindset has been associated with worsening symptoms of anxiety and depression and an overall lower quality of life. Due to the existence of look-enhancing apps and software, many of the faces you see on social networking sites are nothing like how they look in real life. Although you may be consciously aware of it, this can still create feelings of inadequacy and harm self-esteem. While particularly common among teenagers, since they are in their formative and therefore more vulnerable years, these issues can affect people of all ages. This is why it’s essential to limit your social media usage if you begin to notice that you’re struggling with dark, intrusive thoughts. And if you’ve got younger siblings or teenage kids yourself, it’s a good idea to open up the subject with them as well.

Practice self-care 

You’ve probably heard this phrase a lot, and while it can often be used as a buzzword, the reality is that taking time off to focus on yourself is vital for your mental health. However, the type of self-care you practice is also important. Some people confuse unhealthy habits for taking care of themselves, which is detrimental to their condition. Some of the helpful habits you can develop include: 

- Start a workout routine: You may be rolling your eyes already because it can sound like a cliché. Often touted as a miracle solution, you probably know already that beginning to work out won’t completely cure your anxiety. Still, it will give you a calmer and more balanced outlook that improves your welfare. Working out also helps you channel your energy into something more productive, lessen morning anxiety, boost your immune system, and improve your physical health as well. 

  

- Get a healthy diet: It is tempting to indulge in junk food when going through a rough time, but it only provides momentary relief. After the sugar rush is gone, you’ll be left feeling depleted of energy. Replace unhealthy food with whole-grain snacks, fresh fruit and veggies. However, be careful not to restrict yourself too drastically. Balance is key in everything. 

It is challenging struggling with stress and anxiety. Remember that you are not alone and that a few simple habits can go a long way in making you feel better about yourself.

Talk to a therapist, Be careful when online, and Practice self-care are some ways you can Relieve Stress and Anxiety.