5 Ways to stay positive during mental illness

"I'd like to talk about'mental' health and our society's attitude toward it – its origins, what it is, myths/misinterpretations around it, and perhaps provide you some tools for dealing with its self-destructive character."

5 Ways to stay positive during mental illness

Section: Mindfulness.

Section: Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

Section: Keep water around you.

Section: Take good care of yourself

Section: Focus on gratitude.

Takeaway: It is not easy to be positive when you have a mental illness, but staying positive helps you get through to the other side more easily.

 Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness is a great way to stay positive during mental illness and focused on your goals despite any obstacles or limitations you may have.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present, being aware of our surroundings and current state of mind, while not judging ourselves or engaging in negative self-talk.

When we’re mindful, we pay attention to our thoughts and emotions as they happen moment to moment. We become aware of negative patterns of thought as they arise, and with practice, can learn to stop them before they take hold and affect our behavior, emotions, and physical well-being.

Mindfulness is about acceptance—acceptance of our present situation and acceptance of ourselves with compassion. Instead of dwelling on what might have been or worrying about what will be in the future, mindfulness teaches us how to live in the moment. It’s about being fully engaged in whatever we are doing at the time—whether it’s something enjoyable like playing with your children or dog or washing dishes—and accepting that experience for what it is without judgment.

For those living with mental illness, mindfulness can be particularly challenging. Our minds are bombarded by racing thoughts and negative self-talk throughout the day. 

Replace negative thoughts with positive ones

1. Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

2. Challenge negative thinking by asking yourself questions that encourage you to put things in perspective or consider alternative explanations.

3. Make a list of the pros and cons of your negative thoughts to put the situation in perspective.

4. Write down all the reasons why your negative thoughts are wrong and read this list when you start to feel upset.

5. Avoid situations that trigger negative thinking or feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, sadness, or hopelessness.

6. Surround yourself with people who support you and make you feel good about yourself.

7. Participate in activities that make you feel good about yourself, such as hobbies or volunteer work, and set goals for yourself to achieve new things.

Keep water around you

When you're dealing with mental illness, it can be tough to seek the help you need while remaining upbeat.

1. Keep water around you.

It's easy to forget to drink water when you're anxious or unhappy. As a result, it's important to keep water around you at all times — whether at your desk or in your car. If it's with you and within reach, you'll be more likely to drink it. 

2. Be aware of your energy levels.

If there is a particular time of day that's better for you than others, plan your schedule accordingly. For example, if you're more of a morning person, try waking up earlier so that you can get things done before lunchtime and then take an afternoon break when your energy levels are lower. 

3. Listen to music without words.

This might seem strange at first but think about it: Music with no lyrics is less distracting and allows your mind to wander positively rather than getting stuck on an artist's lyrics that could be triggering for some people who experience depression or anxiety.

 Take good care of yourself

One of the most important things you can do to stay positive amid mental illness is to take good care of yourself. A state of total physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than the absence of disease or disability, is defined as "health." Some ideas for taking good care of yourself include:

Get a good night's sleep. Lack of sleep hurts your mood and your energy level.

Eat a healthy diet. Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to stay healthy.

Exercise regularly. Exercise promotes physical health, improves mood, and increases energy levels.

Avoid alcohol and drugs. Avoiding substances that alter your mood can help you maintain control over your emotions.

Challenge negative thoughts. Negativity lowers self-esteem while also raising despair, anxiety, rage, and stress levels. Reject negative thoughts by challenging their accuracy with facts and by countering them with positive thoughts (see Cognitive Therapy).

Be assertive. Communicate clearly what you think, feel, want, or need in a given situation while also respecting the rights of others (see Assertiveness Training).

Learn to relax. Deep breathing exercises and other relaxation techniques can assist to relieve stress and prevent depressive symptoms (see Relaxation Exercises).

Section: Focus on gratitude.

Mental illness is something that can affect everyone, and it comes in many different forms — depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are just a few. We don't always talk about these things because we're ashamed or worried about being judged.

Mental health, on the other hand, is equally as important as physical health. And there are plenty of ways to take care of your brain. Here are some tips to help you stay positive amid mental illness:

Focus on gratitude. Research has shown that one of the best ways to stay positive is to practice gratitude. If you're feeling anxious or down, find a few things to be grateful for — even if it's just the fact that you woke up that morning.

Maintain healthy relationships with people who make you happy. To live a healthy life, you need to maintain healthy relationships. Surround yourself with people who love and support you — and let them know how much they mean to you.

Keep moving every day. While fitness may not certainly cure your mental illness, it will improve your self-esteem So whether it's yoga, walking, or lifting weights at the gym, get up and get moving every day!

Takeaway: It is not easy to be positive when you have mental illness, but staying positive helps you get through to the other side more easily.

More than anything, remember to stay positive. There will always be bad days, as there are with any person who is not mentally ill, but if you cannot find anything to be happy about on a bad day, then we need to help you get there.