We know unemployment and poverty are high in South Africa. Crime, corruption, and violence headline our newspapers on a daily basis. We are facing a climate crisis likely to exacerbate ill health and poverty on a global scale. Where is there room to address mental health in a world so crowded with social and environmental issues?
The youth rage against broader society for the way in which we are affected by these socioeconomic issues. In today’s world, our socioeconomic status often determines the quality of life we have and whether our rights will be implicated or not. So, we rage, we protest, and we fight. Can you blame us? Some of us are the sons and daughters of freedom fighters.
Each and every single one of us standing in South Africa are born for this journey of advocacy. However, in this journey together, we each face a never-ending battle of our own – the mental health crises. The truth is that, given what the youth are exposed to on a daily basis and due to the stigmatization of mental health in many communities, it will always be a battle.
This is not a story of how I overcame my struggles with mental health. It is an ongoing cycle of healing and self-development. Sometimes it is more of a burden on some days than others.
These are a few coping mechanisms which helped me with symptoms of depression on the days I felt burdened by my mental health.
Healing has helped me stay present and enjoy living
To be human is to feel everything, all of it – this is the human experience. The sadness, anger, love, hurt, despair, happiness, envy etc. is all part of the package. I allow myself to feel deeply to self-regulate my emotions. By seeing my hurt emotions through, I often experience relief on the other side.
Regardless of your mental illness or struggles, you will encounter all different kinds of emotions because you are human, not because of your mental illness or struggles with mental health.
Turning my morning and nightly routine into a self-love ritual is a way to help start and end my day on a positive note. Something as simple as getting ready to start my day, hanging washing, or any other mundane task can be made into something I romanticized by dancing, singing, or listening to music while doing them. This makes being present enjoyable, and responsibilities as something to look forward to.
You may feel misunderstood, but you are never alone in being misunderstood
Sometimes the way family or friends see us can negatively affect our mental health, it may be a conscious or unconscious doing. Either way, the way you feel is valid and you would be surprised at others who experience similar situations who do not talk about it.
Talking about how you are feeling to trusted individuals will help validate your emotions, and make you feel supported. Sometimes on these days, all we need is a little bit of love from our near and dear ones.
Writing a list of aspirations and affirmations in the present tense gave me motivation to pursue my goals and believe I am already the person I wish to be, even if I might be under circumstances I do not wish to be. For example, “I am intelligent, I am successful, I am kind, I am beautiful,” I would fold this paper until it was really tiny and staple it closed. I then put it under my pillow. This paper is not meant to be opened. Just by knowing it is there simply serves as a reminder that I have goals and aspirations to look forward to and complete. It is a great way to keep me focused on what my goals in life are.
Grounding and reconnecting with nature
This has helped calm my nerves and ease my thoughts. Sometimes just lying flat on the ground and letting my thoughts pass by helps regulate my emotions. This can done through meditation or yoga. By grounding myself, I accept what cannot be changed and aim make peace with my inner turmoil. This also helps redirect my focus on a situation I can change and helps shift my perspective on a matter.
Take care of my body by eating nutritious food and taking part in physical activities.
Social media tends to lead to doom-scrolling and only serves as a distraction to avoid feeling. Sometimes I don’t want to think about my emotions or situation, so exercising is a great way for me release my negative feelings and make something good out of it.
Mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand. Being active produces happy hormones and eating a balanced diet makes my body feel energized so I am ready to tackle my day.
On days where I eat nutritious meals and drink clean water throughout the day, I tend to also be in a better mental space and this is no coincidence!
Finding a passion
For me, volunteer work is a way for me to redirect my negative emotions into something positive. This is called transmutation. By being active and making a difference in the community, no matter how small, is a way to combat the crises we all face. It is not going to be solved overnight, but with continuous efforts, it can get better. Moreso, seeing the difference you make (even just making someone laugh) proves that you have an impact on every person you meet. You are so much more than just “potential”. Find a passion that benefits your mental health, whether it be sports, writing or singing, and pursue it with all your might. This will become your anchor.
Regardless of who you are or your personal battles, you are worthy of life and love.
Be gentle with yourself and others this World Mental Health Awareness Month.
Source link : https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/blog/healing-and-self-development-face-depression
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Publish date : 2024-10-08 16:55:28
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