How I Stay Sane In This Insane World

It might be an exaggeration but with wars, inflation, inequality, racial and minority discrimination, mass shootings and violence, I can't help but to think that our world is turning to be insane and when ones personal circumstances gets into the mix such as a failed relationship or expectations by the society, their mind gets overloaded with this negative thoughts and cause them mentally ill. What's worse is that even though we saw signs of our or others declining mental health, we cannot just go into the doctor to check on us because we need to work to provide for our family and pay our bills until things gets bad to the point that we hurt ourselves and the people around us or sometimes, it even resulted for someone to commit suicide. In order to prevent this, the following are what I do to keep myself with a sound mind.

• Spending time with Family & Friends

When something bad happens at work or I just have a very unlucky day, I usually go and talk about it with my family but was more comfortable when talking it with my friends cause they will also share their bad experiences to the point that were even competing who has the worst experience and this allows us to have an outlet let out our negative thoughts and be each others support. On the other hand, family is the one you talk to when you have a more personal problem that you can't talk with friends.

• Having Pets

Even with the state of our world now, wherever we have our worries on life, sharing time with pets was something that could help to heal our hearth. In my home, we have 3 dogs which always come to excitedly greet me, with tails wagging really fast so wherever I get home, I can't help but to play with them first before changing clothes so I temporarily forgot the tiredness and whatever worries that I had as I play with them. Their cheerfulness is very contagious that it keeps you away from negative thoughts.

• Listening to Music

Whenever I feel down or confused I usually go to listen on music to calm my mind. I also saw some people that was saved from depression because they were able to find peace with the music that they loved and the message that those music became their emotional support to keep on living like those who are abused by their spouse who are on their breaking point but got the support they need with the song Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

• Exercise

Most people think of exercise as something you do to have a healthy body but it also helps to improve your mental health by releasing chemicals that can help you improve mood. It also takes your mind away from whatever that you're thinking as you are focusing on your attention on each exercise routine. Ever since November last year, I've been going on gym twice a week and it also helps me fell asleep faster as my body would tell my mind so if a person was having difficulty sleeping, try do do some exercise.

• Eating on Time

When we are hungry, it affects our thinking processes and could lead us to a bad decision. I even recount of the time that I became dizzy when I miss a lunch so I could only imagine how worst it will be on someone who are already dealing with a mental health issue and how it will affect my mental state if skipping meals becomes common to me so what I always make sure to eat on time.

• Avoid Using illegal substances

Some people who are experiencing depression and extreme stress lean on illegal substances to temporarily get away from their problems but it only temporary escape from the reality and when the effects of the drugs were gone, the reality will just kicks in again and this will make you dependent on those illegal substances and become more prone to becoming mentally unstable or mentally ill. Though smoking and alcohol are not illegal, this could also affect ones mentality so whenever you use this stuff, at least do it with some moderation.