When you are getting ready to go on a trip, you are likely to spend quite a bit of time thinking about and rounding up the things you should pack. Maybe you are going on vacation and expect things to be casual except for one special dinner with your partner. That might mean packing one set of nicer clothes. Maybe you are going camping and the weather forecast calls for rain during your adventure. That might mean doubling down on the rain gear. Maybe you work in a casual setting, but you are heading out on a business trip and your client’s corporate culture favors slacks over jeans. That might mean doing some ironing and locating a belt.
Just as you can make sure you are prepared for a trip by thinking through what you might need in any given situation, you can also prepare to address the symptoms of a mental health disorder like depression or anxiety when they arise. What that looks like for any given person will vary, but we have some ideas that might get you started so that you can “pack” for the moments when your mental health issues threaten to upend your day-to-day life.
Before we proceed, however, we want to be clear that the best treatment for a mental health disorder is usually a combination of medication and therapy. The ideas we share in this post are not intended to replace either one. Rather, we are offering some ideas for how you might more easily move through difficult moments when they pop up.
With that said, let’s take a look at those ideas.
Keep Your Favorite Music Cued Up
These days, thanks to streaming services and digitally delivered songs and albums, we can all carry around our favorite music in our pockets. Our phones (or dedicated music players if you want to go old(ish) school) let us find our favorites quickly, easily, and pretty much from anywhere.
That is great news for all music lovers, but it can be particularly helpful for a person with a mental health disorder. That is because music can be an effective mood booster, which means it can help you manage those times when you are feeling, for example, blue or antsy. Taking the time to listen to a favorite song, record, or playlist might be just the thing to lift you up when you are feeling down.
And that is just one of the many benefits that music can provide. In this previous blog post, we take a deeper dive into the ways in which music can play a positive role in your mental health journey.
Savor a Favorite Story
Whether you love novels, television shows, movies, narrative podcasts, or what have you, the odds are good that you have a story or two that you never tire of. That story might be about someone overcoming great odds to do something amazing. Or it might be a tale that keeps you laughing. It might even be an emotional story that tugs at the heartstrings while also offering a spirit of hope.
Revisiting a favorite story can be a wonderful way to navigate difficult moments. You can identify with the characters’ struggles and successes—and you can simply get lost in a story that captivates you and might see you through a challenging day. Having those favorites handy can be a good practice.
Write Your Way Through the Moment
So far, we have focused on things that you can turn your attention to for distraction, inspiration, and a boost to your overall mood. We might also suggest that your metaphorical suitcase of mental health strategies should include your journal.
Oftentimes, writing down what you are feeling is a wonderful way to process those emotions. Journals are also great places to reflect on the things for which you are grateful. You might find that taking the time to jot down a few thoughts—or even to write at length about something—can help you see a situation more clearly, find a solution to a problem, or simply remind yourself that you have plenty of positives in your life that are worth noting.
We are big advocates of journaling as a way to support better mental wellbeing. In fact, we have written a series about the practice that includes some ideas to get you started. Those entries include an overview of approaches to journaling, some prompts to help you get started, and some related options for those who find that writing is not for them.
Our Favorite Activity Is Helping You
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View Behavioral Health helps individuals who are struggling with a number of mental health challenges. We know that every person we serve has a unique story and deserves care that is tailored to meet their specific needs. We are committed to listening empathetically and then employing our expertise and experience to develop a treatment plan that helps a person achieve improved mental health and maintain those improvements over time.
When mental health difficulties arise, it can feel like you are out of balance and your hopes for the future are unachievable. At Peak View, we will help you restore a sense of balance and reclaim a spirit of hopefulness.
