Seeking help for mental health is a big step. Deciding you need help and are willing to do what is necessary to improve your quality of life is a significant decision. Getting help for mental health is also stressful. It’s normal to wonder if you are doing the right thing and worry about how you will manage your life and relationships going forward. Understanding how to manage stress during mental health treatment will ensure you take care of yourself and get the best results.
Be Honest With Yourself
Being honest with yourself is one of the most critical steps to managing stress. High emotional awareness will keep you grounded and help ensure you have realistic expectations. A person might refuse to think about their mental health treatment to avoid stress triggers; this could interfere with their perception of the situation. This person might not understand why their treatment is rigorous or taking so long.
Being upfront and honest can be challenging but allows you to ask questions and understand the process better. Understanding, acceptance, and honesty will enable you to make informed decisions about your current state and well-being. As long as you acknowledge the details of your situation, you’ll get a better outcome with your progress and treatment.
Use Relaxation Techniques
Simple relaxation techniques go a long way toward reducing your overall stress levels. Deep breathing is helpful and can help you manage stress. Focus on taking long, deep breaths and holding in the air for a few seconds. Gently exhale and repeat the process.
Meditation is another common method people use, and this involves going to a quiet location and attempting to clear your thoughts. You can then focus on a particular sound, image, or sensation. Guided imagery is a similar strategy, and many people find it helps improve focus and eliminate stress.
Be Patient
A bit of patience can greatly help you accommodate your treatment. Mental health issues aren’t something you can resolve overnight, and in some situations, treatment can take months or years. Without the right level of patience, you could begin to feel overwhelmed.
You might even believe the treatment isn’t working correctly. A great way to avoid this scenario is by assessing the progress you’ve already made. Looking back and realizing how far you’ve come will motivate you to keep pushing further.
Get Enough Sleep
Many people overlook how important it is to get enough sleep. Consistent sleep will improve your mood, mental performance, and overall health. When you’re mentally sharp, mental health treatment will be more effective.
Insufficient sleep can wreak havoc on your mental and physical health. Issues that wouldn’t normally bother you could cause significant distress. Major problems seem insurmountable. To improve your sleep hygiene, focus on going to bed at consistent times each night.
Manage Your Time Appropriately
Poor time management is a major contributor to overall stress levels. Feeling rushed or overwhelmed increases stress, negatively impacting sleep and undoing all the hard work you put in during treatment.
For example, someone who procrastinates is likely to experience frequent stress. Proper time management will ensure you complete your necessary tasks in a reasonable amount of time. Not only can this reduce stress, but it can also improve your performance. When you rush through your obligations, you’re more prone to making errors and oversights. Mental health treatment is often a long process but worth the effort.
Leverage Personal Relationships
You don’t have to manage stress by yourself. Relationships with friends and family will prove to be a solid foundation. Don’t be afraid to lean on these individuals if necessary. Some people avoid doing so because they don’t want to feel like a burden; however, consider a scenario where the roles are switched. You likely would be fine providing friends or loved ones with the necessary support. There’s a good chance they feel the same way.
Avoid Drugs and Alcohol
At first, drugs and alcohol may seem to improve your stress levels, but this relief is short-lived. Drug and alcohol abuse comes with its own set of potential health problems. It can also quickly deteriorate your mental health. Replace vices with healthier options like creative hobbies or exercise.
Side Effects of Stress
Stress can have a lot of side effects, including additional health complications like high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure levels for an extended period increase the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack and stroke. Other issues can include panic attacks, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and indigestion. The good news is these will likely never become an issue if you manage stress appropriately.
Take Mental Health Treatment Seriously
Although it can be stressful, mental health treatment can help you exponentially improve your state of mind. Managing stress appropriately will help you get the most out of your treatment.
Comprehensive Wellness Centers prides itself on offering our patients and their families premier care and support. We strive to help clients achieve lasting recovery through inpatient and outpatient programs. You’ll learn more about our benefits when you verify your insurance.
