Category Archives: Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Striking the Perfect Balance: Navigating Work-Life Harmony

Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Keep yourself first, Mental Health, , ,

Having a good balance between work and other parts of you life, like spending time with family and activities, is really important for your mental health.  When you have too much work and not enough time for other things, you can feel stressed and overwhelmed.  It’s like your brain is working too hard and needs a break.  Having time to relax and do things you enjoy helps your brain recharge and feel happier.  Plus, spending time with loved ones and doing fun things can make you feel more connected and supported, which is good for your well-being as well.

Prioritizing Your Time:

Making a schedule or to-do list is not always easy but vital to manage your time.  Setting aside specific times for work projects, family, and relaxing is pivotal for harmony in life.

Limiting Distractions:

Finding quiet, distraction-free space to focus is vital.  Keep Electronics like phones and tablets out of reach unless its needed for the work to be done.

Taking Breaks:

Remember to take short breaks during study sessions to recharge.  Using break time to do something fun or relaxing, like listening music or walking can help your mental health.  Making time for hobbies, sports, or spending time with friends and family can help you overall well-bring.  Getting enough sleep each night to feel rested and ready for the day can help as well as eating healthy meals and snacks to fuel your body and mind.

Staying Organized and Goal Oriented:

Keep your materials, books, and any other necessities can help avoid last-minute stress.  Using binder or folders to keep track of papers is helpful.  Break big tasks into smaller, manageable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.  Celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem keeps you motivated and committed.

Speaking to someone can always help you identify ways to help relieve stress as well. For more info, Click here

Activities to help relieve stress:

  1. Grab some colored pencils or markers and doodle or color in a book to get creative and unwind.
  2. Find a book that interests you and get lost in the story to transport you to different worlds.
  3. Put on your favorite songs or discover new ones to help improve your mood.
  4. Taking a walk as I said before can help you get fresh air and clear your mind.
  5. Writing or Journaling can help you get thoughts onto paper or even start a story of your own.  Writing can be great way to express yourself and work through emotions.
  6. Playing with pets can be really fun and can boost your mood, if you don’t have any animals, find your local adoption center or pet store and  volunteer.
  7. Doing Yoga or stretching can help your mind and body relax and maintain flexibility and overall health.
  8. Baking or cooking can help you get creative and enjoy something delicious.

For more info, Click here

Remember, everyone is different, so it’s important to find hobbies and activities that you enjoy and help you relax but experimenting with different things until you find you niche is a journey that everyone should test out.

 

Have a Safe and Beautiful Weekend

Sincerely,

Monique

 

 

References:

Coping with stress at work. (2018, October 14). https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/work-stress

Empowering Against Narcissism: Finding Strength

Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Healthy Relationship, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, ,

Being with someone who acts like they’re better than everyone else, like they’re always right, can really mess up how you feel about yourself.  They might say mean things or make you doubt yourself all the time.  It can make you feel like you have to depend on them, even if they’re not treating you well.  It can even make you sick from feeling stressed all the time.  But even though it’s hard, people who go through this keep going, even when things seem really bad.

Learn more about the effects of stress,  Click here

I’ve had family and friends who acted like this, and it really hurt my feelings and made me feel bad about myself.  It took a long time for me to figure out that I’m actually pretty great just the way I am.  I used to feel unsure about myself and even pretend to be happy when I wasn’t.  But that just made things worse.  Dealing with someone who always wants to be in control made me feel like what I though or wanted didn’t matter.  it made me forget how important I am.

If someone acts like they’re better than everyone’s else, never says sorry when they hurt your feelings, or tries to make you feel guilty for thing that aren’t your fault, those are big signs something’s wrong.  They might act really nice at first but then start being mean later.  They might not respect your personal space or get mad for no reason.  Its important to notice these signs early so you can protect yourself from feeling bad.

When you’ve been hurt or treated badly by someone, it might feel like they’ve taken away your power.  But being a victim doesn’t mean you’re weak or helpless.  In fact, it can be just the opposite.  Going through tough times can make you stronger and wiser.  It gives you the chance to learn from what happened and grow from it.  Instead of letting it bring you down, use it as fuel to stand up for yourself and others.  You have the power to choose how you react and how you let it affect you.  Remember, you’re not alone, there are people who care about you and want to help.  Being a victim doesn’t define you; its what you do next that matters.  So, take control of your story and let it empower you to be even stronger than before.

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline

For more info, Click here

Call: 800-799-7233

Volunteer Crisis Counselor

For more info, Click here

Text LEV to 741741

Mental Health Hotline Michigan

For more info, Click here

Call: 866-903-3787

Suicide Hotline

For more info, Click here

Call: 988

I hope you all stay safe and have a wonderful weekend.

Don’t forget, you’re important.

Warm Regards,

Monique

 

 

References:

Admin. (2024, January 12). Mental Health Hotline Michigan | 866-903-3787. Mental Health Hotline. https://mentalhealthhotline.org/michigan/

Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline. (2023, April 27). The Hotline. https://www.thehotline.org/

Emotional abuse – free 24/7 support – text 741741. (2023, July 24). Crisis Text Line. https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/emotional-abuse/#what-is-emotional-abuse-1

Our Network – 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. (n.d.). 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/our-network/

Vitalityunleashed. (2023, June 20). How to Identify Narcissism & Narcissist – Vitality Unleashed Psychology. VITALITY. https://www.vitalityunleashed.com.au/identifying-narcissism/

Identifying Narcissism

 

The Impact of Holiday Gatherings on Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms to Get Through it

Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Healthy Relationship, Holiday gatherings, Mental Health, , , ,

 

Easter brings people together for joy and bonding.  Yet, family gatherings may also bring tension.  Finding ways to manage this stress helps maintain harmony.

Read our excerpt about anxiety, Click here

Easter gatherings can have positive effects on mental health:

  1. Feeling connected: Holidays give us a chance to be with family and friends again, which can make us feel like we belong and less alone.
  2. Emotional Help:  Sharing happy and sad times with family helps us deal with tough feelings better and makes us stronger emotionally.

Negative effects of Easter Gatherings on Mental Health Include:

  1. Family Conflict:  Easter gatherings may bring unresolved conflicts to the surface.  Differences in opinions, values, and lifestyles can escalate into arguments.
  2. Pressure and Expectations:  The pressure to conform familial expectations and traditions can create stress and anxiety.  Individuals may feel compelled to present themselves in a certain way that may not be comfortable with.

Dealing with holiday gatherings can be tough, but there are ways to cope:

  1. Set Boundaries:  It’s important to tell your family what’s okay and what’s not.  If things get too much, take a break.
  2. Active Listening: Pay attention to what others are saying and try to understand their feelings.
  3. Manage Expectations:  Don’t aim for perfection.  Focus on enjoying the moment, flaws and all.
  4. Take Care of Yourself:  Do things that make you happy before, during, and after family gatherings, like meditating or exercising.
  5. Be grateful and Get support:  Talk to someone outside your family for a different perspective.  Focus on the good things about your family to feel better.  Changing your mindset can change your life.

Easter gatherings, lasting only two days, can deeply affect our mental well-being, for better or worse.  Recognizing these potential impacts beforehand can prepare us to appreciate and support each other, emphasizing the importance of love and connection during these times.

For more information,  Click here

I hope you have a safe and happy holiday.

Love,

Monique

 

References:

A psychiatrist’s guide to surviving family gatherings. (n.d.). https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/surviving-family-gatherings