How to deal with MI
Of course, mental illness can be very difficult to live with. However, it can be very helpful for those suffering to get the proper care and help they need. Below, you will find easy coping skills to use to deal with different disorders. Aside from this, I have also listed some coping skills with easier access and a few of the devices that I use on a daily basis to help me cope with my anxiety.
Helpful Coping Skills
Talk Therapy
Many people are under the impression that you have to have something wrong with you to attend therapy. However, that is not the case. Talk therapy is really for anyone and has many benefits to mental wellness. Some of which include better understanding your emotions, coping with any struggles, and pinpoint aggressors.
54321 Grounding
This is a simple technique that works for anyone struggling in public. If you are feeling stressed or restless, this simple method could help reset your mind and refresh your body.
Here's how to go about it:
List 5 things you can see around you.
List 4 things you can touch.
List 3 things that you can hear.
List 2 things you can smell.
List 1 thing you can taste.
Color Scanning
Color scanning is a visual grounding technique that also helps ease your mind and body when feeling overwhelmed or in a panic.
Here's what you do:
Look around and find 10 different colors on 10 different objects.
This is an easy and great way to distract your mind!
Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets are used at night to hold down our bodies and reduce movements while we sleep, allowing us to sleep for longer. Those with sensory disorders may also enjoy the sensation and pressure that a weighted blanket can provide. When going to purchase one, be sure to avoid one that is too heavy!
Movement Breaks
Studies have shown that getting exercise can boost one's mood and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. Taking just a few minutes each day to stretch, meditate, take a quick walk, or do some yoga is a great coping skill with a lot of benefits! If you're interested in learning about more of these benefits, click here!
Self-care
To each individual, self-care can have its own definition. Whether it's something small, like making your bed or brushing your teeth, to something more involved, like a hot bath or getting your nails done, self-care can help improve your mental mindset! What's great about it is that there are so many different activities to choose from, and they don't have to be consistent or stay the same!
Balanced Diet
Food can play a big role in mental health, especially considering the population of people that struggle to eat consistent meals. Having a good relationship with food is definitely challenging, but it can also have a great impact on your mind! Incorporating different food categories into a snack or lunch will slowly start to reduce any negative feelings and increase your energy.
Aroma Therapy
Aroma therapy is another easy way to calm your body. It can be done by using different fragrances either topically on your skin or by inhaling them through a diffuser or candle. Each scent, whether lavender or peppermint, can benefit you by improving sleep, reducing stress, treat migraines, and boost immunity. When using aroma therapy, be sure to use 100% essential oils, as you never want to inhale anything synthetic.
Journaling
Taking five or ten minutes each night to write down your day can lead to many benefits in your life. Journaling can help keep track of your emotions, understand what triggers bad days, and simply keep track of what you did over the course of your life.
Personal Picks
Below you'll find some of my personal coping skills that I have used to manage my own anxiety. Personally, these devices help me, but keep in mind that not everything works for everyone!
Daily Bean
Every night I use the app Daily Bean to help track my habits and make note of what I did each day. It's customizable to each user, and only takes a minute or two! There's no cost involved, either! If you'd like to download the app, click here.
Dodow Meditation Light
Whenever I am feeling stressed, I love to use the Dodow Meditation light to help calm me down. It works by projecting a light onto your ceiling which shrinks and expands, allowing you to sync your breathing along with it. Although it's on the pricier side, it's very helpful! If you're interested in purchasing it, click here.
Fidgets
Even though many people feel like fidgets are just toys, they are actually a really helpful tool that can be used to distract yourself from symptoms triggered by mental illness. I personally enjoy using Needoh's stress balls, as they are a quiet and easy tool to use to distract myself when I'm anxious. I always have one in my backpack at school in case I start to feel restless or need to de-stress. If you're interested in purchasing one, click here.
Find a Hobby
I recommend using some spare time to experiment with different activities until you are able to find some you enjoy! I personally enjoy to use coloring books, watch a comfort show, and play my ukulele or piano! Just spending some time for myself allows me to recharge and feel a lot more positive.