GUEST POST: 5 Random things that seem to affect our mental health

Bursting with pride as I present to you my first guest post, written by none other than MY DAUGHTER!  As you’ll quickly be able to tell, she is an old soul and has graciously dropped some serious wisdom for us today…

It seems to me like everyone is obsessed with mental health these days. Therapists are booked 24/7, everyone is gushing about their miraculous self-care routines, and people seem to have suddenly become very interested in self-help books. However, throughout the madness of the last year and throughout life in general, I’ve noticed there seem to be a lot of “little” things that people overlook when it comes to mental health.

#1 - How you handle things you can’t control: A lot of people tend to let uncontrollable circumstances dictate their emotions, stress levels, and even actions towards others. Others seem to just let it go; it is what it is. Which of the two do you think is the happier? Probably the latter, right? Then why do so many people stress over circumstances they can’t directly influence? Not only does this end up hurting you, it also affects the people around you negatively. In other words, if you’re stressed out, you’re more likely to stress out other people. In order to boost your mental health, start by examining yourself. If you find that you’re worrying about something you can’t change, let it go. Meditations (the ones that are helpful and don’t bore you to death :p) can also help with this. In the immortal lyrics of the Beatles: “Let it be.”

#2 - Passion and purpose: I personally believe that everyone on this planet is here for a reason. Unfortunately, not everyone knows or cares what their “purpose” is. A lot of people don’t even have a passion (or haven’t discovered it yet). For a lot of people, knowing what their passion/purpose is, or at least that they have one (or multiple- never limit yourself to just one thing- “both” is an acceptable answer to most questions!), can be a driving force for them to keep going. I think that if suicide victims were told that they were here for a reason, maybe even to save someone’s life (in a big or small way), a lot of lives would be saved.

#3 - Toxic _____: Everyone knows that toxic relationships are harmful, but a lot of humans tend to overlook other types of toxic situations. Maybe you hate your job, or feel inclined to practice something you don’t agree with. Perhaps you’re continuing to diet even though others tell you your body is fine the way it is. Maybe you’re trapped in a toxic mental cycle: you might constantly feel guilty about a past mistake, or repeatedly find yourself worrying about a particular scenario. Maybe you are in a toxic relationship, but with a voice inside your own head. Whatever it is, it’s probably doing more harm than good (hence the word “toxic”). It isn’t selfish to block a frienemy’s calls, or tell a boss you’re quitting. You don’t usually realize just how heavy the weight was until it’s off your back.

#4 - How you tackle a project: Are you a get-it-out-of-the-way-er or a serious procrastinator? Do you multitask? How much effort are you willing to spend, and do you feel exhausted afterwards? Are you the type of person who listens to music or podcasts while working? All of these things and more, I’ve noticed, can add up to reveal a lot about your personality and mental health. Changing and examining the way you work can really help with mental health.

#5 - The things you care about: Are you the kind of person who would take a bullet for your BFF? Where do you stand on controversial political topics? Do you speak up about injustice? Do you dream of turning a hobby into a career? What’s your solution to the Trolley Problem*? What we care about says a lot about our personalities, and letting go of the things you don’t can really improve your mental health. Also, focusing more attention on the things you care about can really help with mental health struggles.

These are just some of the things I’ve noticed that can affect your mental health. Everyone is different, and therefore different messages apply to different people. Remember, you know what’s best for you, it’s okay to value yourself, and above all, you matter.

*BONUS!

In case you haven’t heard of the Trolley Problem, here’s a video explaining it…

The Trolley Problem

…and a two year-old’s hilarious if not mildly disturbing solution

A two-year-old's solution to the trolley problem