First, I know that the media can often try to glam up certain situations such as things related to mental illness. Sometimes the act of self-care doesn’t mean face masks and mani-pedis. Sometimes it means getting out of bed, untangle your hair and finding that small things like leaving the house with jeans instead of sweats or pajama pants can be an achievement towards progress. Even things like brushing your hair, or even shaving your legs. These are things that mental illness can cause you to have a hard time tackling them, and I have a few tips I’d like to share that I’ve found have helped me.
1. Clean your face. Use your favorite soap and just wash it. Imagine that you are cleansing yourself from all of the bad things that your brain is making you believe. Allow yourself to feel refreshed and rejuvenated, even if it’s for a little while.
Personally, I love to spray my face with some rose water toner whenever I clean my face. It makes me feel so clean and happy. It’s something that I know for sure my skin loves, and it’s a way to let my body know that I care for it.
My favorite brand is Thayers and I bought mine from Target for $10.95.
2. You can’t get out of bed to take a shower? Use dry shampoo. It’ll help you to look and feel so much cleaner and refreshed. There are some pretty good brands and if you are short on money, stores like Dollar Tree (my happy place lol) has some available. I have found that whenever I get in depressive mindsets, this tip has helped me a bunch.
3. Another hygienic tip: always have moist towelettes nearby. It’ll help you smell nice (scented are the best!), it will help keep you clean, and it’s very convenient since you can have it near your bed or bed Stand.
4. Drink tea. Tea help you calm down, certain tea like chamomile help reduce stress. Or you know what? Drink your favorite tea. Let yourself feel the warmth in the cup and allow it to fill you with joy. I love drinking tea because it’s like you’re drinking a little hug!
5. Seek help. Please, always seek help from a professional. Your mental health is as important as treating a broken bone. Your brain is vital to everything in your body, treat it nicely. When your brain isn’t treating YOU nicely, make sure to let someone know. I know a lot of people don’t have healthcare but never hesitate to do your research. There are so many options out there. Community counselors, school counselors, I know many colleges have programs that allow students to seek professional help for free, try and see if your school or college offers that. Even if its talking to a friend, a parent, anyone that is there for you and loves you, even that will help you. Please never hesitate to share what is going on with your mental health. It is so crucial.
6. This tip is geared towards friends of whoever may be passing by these frustrating mental health moments. Listen up,
A. Offer to clean their living area. Sometimes when you are having mental health issues, cleaning and organizing isn’t your first priority and it can be quite hard and challenging. Offer to help them clean, you never know how much that kind gesture could help someone.
B. Offer to do their dishes.
C. CHECK ON THEM. Sometimes people going through rough patches want and need people there, but they simply can’t reach out. Be the first to reach out. Go and see them. Even if it’s just you sitting on the couch with them not saying a word, your presence will and could move mountains for them.
D. Help them complete small tasks. Let them know how extraordinary they are for completing it. Even if it’s something as simple as taking the trash out, or sweeping. It’ll mean the world.
E. Don’t be afraid to help them with certain intimate things if they ask you for it. Helping someone shave, doing their laundry, making sure they are dressed, fed, etc can be so meaningful, and it will show how beautiful your relationship is and how much you care for this individual.
7. Do things that make you feel good. If you’re up for it, get up, take a shower, put on some clean pajamas, change your sheets, and just lay there if you want. It’ll allow you to feel clean, organized and refreshed.
8. If you’re up for it, go treat yourself. Even if it’s to an ice cream. So, cute story, the other day I went to the ice cream shop and I saw an elderly lady just enjoying a banana split by herself. Her face of enjoyment seriously inspired me and I felt like this is something everyone should allow themselves to do.
9. Take the proper meds. When you go to your doctor, please make sure to explain to them exactly what is going on and ask what your treatment options are. If they think medications are your best bet, never skip a dose. You need it. Allow yourself to feel better.
10. Not everyone can afford to get prescription meds, go to the doctor, or even have healthcare, so I will list below a list of herbs and supplements that can help you with certain mental health issues, and you can buy them at any pharmacy such as walmart, cvs, publix, etc.
A. St John’s Wort (herbal supplement)- used for depression, anxiety, mood swings, nervousness, tiredness and loss of appetite.
B. Vitamin B8 (supplement)- used for OCD and panic disorder.
C. Vitamin B6 (supplement)- used for panic attacks.
D. Iron (supplement)- sometimes when you’re not feeling yourself due to a mental health matter, you could be low on iron. When you are low on iron you can have symptoms such as sluggishness, irritability and a lack of focus and concentration. So taking iron is vital whenever this is your case.
E. Vitamin D (supplement)- occasionally, whenever you lack vitamin D in your system, it can lead to depression.
F. Magnesium (supplement)- it is a mood mobilizer. It can help reduce nervousness, irritability, fear and it can prevent anxiety.
******Always consult with a professional about taking supplements since some of them CAN counteract and interfere with certain medications. Always do your research and see if it is safe to take meanwhile you take other medications.
You are worthy, you are loved, and even though it seems really tough right now, push through because you are way too much of a fabulous human to let this overrule you. You got this.
Hotlines:
CRISIS AND SUICIDE
Girls & Boys Town National Hotline
INTERNATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINES
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – For youth and adults
(800) 273-TALK (8255)
Samaritans (UK Crisis Help, Anywhere in the UK or Ireland)
116 123
116 123
DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE
Rape, Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Incest National Network(RAINN)
(800) 656-HOPE
(800) 656-HOPE
MEDICAL HOTLINES
American Association of Poison Control Centers (800) 222-1222
RUNNING AWAY HOTLINES
National Runaway Safeline
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
(800) 843-5678
(800) 843-5678
Child Find of America Helpline
(800) 426-5678
(800) 426-5678
RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINES
(800) 656-HOPE
VETERANS CRISIS HOTLINE
YOUTH HOTLINE
PREGNANCY HOTLINE
Planned Parenthood Hotline
(800) 230-PLAN (7526)
(800) 230-PLAN (7526)
Love, Claudia 💖
-Where I got all of the hotline numbers. There’s even more, so check it out in case you may need one that was not listed by me. :)
