From pandemics to wars to the rising cost of living, there are plenty of things that can cause your emotions to stir. It’s hard enough to manage your mental health when you consider your own personal problems. However, when you add the weight of the world, it can feel even more difficult. You might be wondering how you’re supposed to cope and stay mentally healthy when it seems that the world around you is full of negative events. It’s a question that many people have and struggle with every day. Since there will never be a shortage of difficult current events, it’s vital to know how to maintain your mental health through them. If you can master your mind, it will often allow you to face these negative events with more confidence, ease, and assurance.
What Does Emotional Exhaustion Look Like?
If you’re feeling particularly down because of what’s going on in the world, you may be experiencing what’s called emotional exhaustion. This feeling is marked by symptoms such as:
- Lack of motivation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insomnia
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Feeling hopeless
- Apathy
- Feeling on edge
- Pessimism
- Feeling physically tired
- Irritability
- Depression or anxiety
- Overeating or not eating enough
- Fatigue
If you’re emotionally exhausted, it may start to affect multiple areas of your life. Your friends, family, and coworkers might even notice that you’re acting differently. Different people handle emotional exhaustion in different ways, so it won’t manifest the same in everyone. However, it is something to be on the lookout for.
Maintaining Your Mental Health
Your mental health should be a priority, especially when there’s a lot going on in the world. While everyone copes in different ways, below are some methods you might consider to help you live more healthily:
- Limit social media use. People who spend lots of time online have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use. If you’re going to use social media, make sure to limit the amount of time you spend scrolling and take breaks when it becomes too much. Consider only following people who make you feel more positive and avoid accounts that leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious about yourself or the world. It’s good to be informed, but you also need to take care of yourself first and foremost.
- Lean on friends. When something is going on in the world, almost everyone knows about it thanks to technology. Chances are if you’re stressed about an event, so is a friend. Reach out to your loved ones when you can to talk about how you’re feeling, or even as a distraction from the news. Sometimes, just having someone there to listen can make a huge difference in how you feel.
- See a therapist. If you can’t cope with current events by yourself or with the assistance of a loved one, it might be time to see a therapist. Therapists address a wide range of issues, so no matter what you’re going through, there is someone who will be able to help. Going to therapy can help you manage stress better, redirect your thoughts, and develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving. You can also learn healthy habits to cope with the stress you’re experiencing.
- Exercise. Exercising regularly can help you to release stress and feel more in control. Your body will also release helpful chemicals like endorphins which can make you feel happier. All types of exercise are valid. Whether you want to run, do yoga, or play tennis, anything that gets you moving will be beneficial. This is a healthy way to manage your stress and get your emotions out productively.
- Get enough sleep. The amount of sleep you get each night can affect many other aspects of your life. Sleep deprivation in particular can make you more prone to irritability, negative thought patterns, and anxiety. Add these effects to stressful current events, and it’s no wonder you might be feeling down. When you get enough sleep at night, you can enhance your overall well-being.
- Stay positive. While there is such thing as toxic positivity, it’s good to remain optimistic despite your circumstances. Though some people are prone to pessimism, it is possible to become more optimistic over time. In general, people who are optimistic tend to have better health outcomes and are less affected by stressful events. They even tend to live longer. Overall, their mental health is better, and they have confidence and hope that things will improve. You can talk with a therapist to learn how to be more positive.
- Let yourself feel. As humans, it’s natural for us to feel emotions deeply and often. Whether you’re worrying about something happening in your own neighborhood or across the world know that what you’re feeling is normal. Instead of suppressing your emotions, you should allow yourself to feel it all. Of course, you don’t want to ruminate or stay stuck in your thoughts, but everyone needs time to process. In general, it’ll be easier to move forward if you’ve allowed yourself that time to think and reflect on what’s happening around you.
It’s clear that the world can be overwhelming. However, there are plenty of steps you can take to keep your mind clearer and healthier. Although you may feel stuck or powerless over the events happening around you, you do have some control over your mental health. With the right support, tools, and coping skills, you can learn to overcome what is holding you back. Getting help early on for mental health issues is important as long-term stress or exhaustion can get worse over time. Know that you are not alone; there are millions of other people feeling similarly to you. Although reaching out for help can be intimidating, it also might be the best choice you could make and is worth the risk.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
Hey welcome to my blog . I am a modern women who love to share any tips on lifestyle, health, travel. Hope you join me in this journey!
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