Leading psychiatrist in Gaithersburg, MD offers tips on taking care of your mental health in 2021
2020 has been a trying and challenging year for most people. Due to the ongoing pandemic and the stress of the presidential election, it’s no wonder that the public’s mental health has taken a nosedive. And while the start of 2021 has given us the chance to psychologically reset our minds and help us look forward to a brighter future, we must take the time and effort to take care of our mental health.
In our latest article, a psychiatrist in Gaithersburg, MD offers advice on taking care of your mental health in 2021. Read on to learn how you can keep your head above water during these difficult times.
Did you know that about 80% of people fail to achieve their New Year resolutions? We don’t want this statistic to deter you from making any New Year resolutions at all. But it does show that making and sticking to New Year resolutions isn’t any mean feat. It takes time and patience to make positive changes to your mental health. That’s why we’re here to help you learn how to make — and stick — to your mental health resolutions.
New Year resolutions like “Start being more positive” and “Be nicer to others” are good starting points. However, you should aim to be a little more specific with your goals.
To figure out what you need, start by assessing your current mental health status. How have you been feeling lately? Have you grown more anxious and stressed? Do you find yourself falling into negative thinking patterns? Doing a short self-evaluation can help you figure out what you need and put you on the right path toward achieving your goals.
Journaling offers numerous health benefits, such as an enhanced sense of well-being and a reduction in stress. It’s also an excellent method for keeping track of your goals and organizing your thoughts.
You don’t have to journal every day. But taking some time each week to note your thoughts and emotions and reflect on your current progress can significantly improve your mental health while also helping you stay on track to achieving your New Year resolutions.
2020 was a challenging year. But you don’t have to go through this healing process alone. Seeing a therapist can help you develop healthy coping strategies and sort through different issues that are stressing you out. As you develop a relationship with your therapist, you can learn how to make healthier lifestyle choices while also achieving a greater sense of empowerment.
Everyone has experienced a negative or pessimistic thought once in a while. But there are methods for reframing these thoughts to help protect your mental health. For instance, many people stew on these negative thoughts, which ends up causing them to lose sight of any positive things surrounding them.
Instead of letting these negative thoughts take up space in your mind, you can replace them with a list of positive thoughts. You can do this by starting a gratitude journal. When you feel a negative thought simmering in your mind for too long, you can refer to this journal to remind you of all the positive things that have happened to you.
It’s easy to fall into a mindset where we continuously think about what we “should” be doing. “I should be finishing more projects at a faster rate.” “I should be making spending less time taking breaks.” Allowing these thoughts to consume you can make you feel anxious and guilty. Instead, try to identify the source of this pressure and anxiety. Learning how to challenge and address these thoughts will take a massive burden off your shoulders.
You don’t have to ditch comfort food altogether. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a juicy hamburger every once in a while. However, making small steps toward achieving a healthier and more nutritious diet can benefit your mental health. Numerous research studies have found that your gut health shares a significant connection to your brain. An imbalanced gut microbiome can cause depression. So make sure you’re taking care of it.
Social media offers a fun and easy method to connect with loved ones. But scrolling through images on Instagram and Twitter posts can harm your mental health. With all of the negativity surrounding the current events of the world, it can be easy to become angry and frustrated with what you see on social media. So try to limit your use of social media to 30 minutes a day to help boost your mental health.
2020 has pushed many people to their mental limits. Our team of professional mental health experts is here to help you build a healthier mindset in 2021. If you’re on the search for a psychiatrist in Gaithersburg, MD, look no further. The Psych Associates of Maryland offers some of the best mental health treatment in the area. Contact the team today to schedule an appointment!
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Psych Associates of Maryland provides comprehensive psychiatric services by a group of competent, independent practitioners. We diagnose and treat children, adolescents, adults, and the geriatric population.
