12 Tips to Stay Balanced and Protect Your Mental Health

Feb. 7, 2022 | 

Balance is essential to our mental health, and anything that jeopardizes our ability to maintain it can be harmful. A balanced mind is naturally resilient, and the ability to maintain a state of equilibrium is a sign of well-being. But it’s not easy to achieve, and when we feel beset by negative emotions and pressures, we may lose sight of our mental equilibrium. 

If you’re not mentally healthy, it can make it harder to stay on the right track with everything else in your life. Balance isn’t just about being able to handle all the stress in your life. It’s about being able to handle stress without it taking a toll on other parts of your life. Finding that right balance is about being able to focus on the things that are important to you, without being overwhelmed by everything else. Here are some tips on how you can stay balanced and protect your mental health.

1. Start with your mind: Balance begins with your mind. It’s important to be able to maintain a sense of equilibrium in your thoughts, emotions, and social environments. We’re constantly inundated with information from the environment that we live in. We can be bombarded by stimuli from our social world, such as disturbing news about the state of the country or annoying coworkers who want to chat (and not about work). And then there are negative emotions that we feel due to external circumstances. We may feel stress about an upcoming deadline or a relationship breakup. By maintaining an awareness of these factors and how they affect our mental health, we can more easily manipulate them to stay mentally healthy.

2. Practice self-care: Self-care is one of the most effective approaches to safeguard your mental health. Self-care activities include things like exercise, diet, regular walks, and more. Don't be afraid to create goals for yourself and work toward them on a regular basis. For example, if you want to go on a hike this year but haven’t been hiking in a while, make it one of your resolutions. Knowing you have something to work towards will keep you motivated.

3. Find your escape: While it may be tough to stay motivated and happy during stressful times, it is critical that you take care of yourself. Find an escape from your daily routine by doing something that you enjoy, like going to the gym or having a night out with friends.

4. Take care of your body: You must look after your body. It's critical to maintain both physical and mental wellness. Your body will always be there for you and will always be happy when you have a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Pick a fitness plan that fits your needs. Visit your local gym, do a Google search, or even go to YouTube to find a variety of fitness tutorials.

5. Be aware of your emotions: It's easy to get swept up by your emotions sometimes, so it’s important to take time out of the day to process and understand what your emotions are trying to say. You'll have a better knowledge of how to react in different scenarios once you do this. 

6. Take it one day at a time: Let’s say you have a goal to eat healthier in the new year. You can try to do that every day or just on certain days. It's always best to start small--just one healthy change each day is good. It’s also critical to not be too hard on yourself if you slip up or don't make as much progress as you'd want.

7. Adopt a new perspective on life: To ensure that your mental health is high, you must adopt a new perspective on life. If you feel as though your life has been going nowhere, adjust your perspective and make a plan for what’s going to happen next. Just because something hasn’t been happening in the past doesn’t mean it can't happen now. Keep your head up and take small steps towards success.

8. Take breaks: It's important to remember that it's fine to take breaks. Whether you need a vacation or just need some time off, sometimes it’s best to step away from your routine and clear your head. It helps you find new ideas and brainstorm solutions to difficulties you may be facing.

9. Seek Support When You Need It

The biggest threat to balance can be that we don’t have the support we need. You may feel like you want to be self-sufficient, but at times it’s important to admit when you need help and ask for it. Consider talking with a therapist or professional who can help you work through hard times, provide perspective, give advice, and more.

10. Don’t Take Everything too Seriously: When we take on too many responsibilities, it can be difficult to maintain mental equilibrium. When you’re overworked and overtired, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you have no control over anything. You might find yourself feeling anxious, stressed, or sad as a result of your overwhelming workload. One way to maintain balance is by not taking everything too seriously. Of course, you need to care about your work and the people in your life, but don't let those things consume you. There will always be challenges that arise, but try not to take them on as personal attacks or failures; rather let them go or do what you can to make the best situation possible.

11. Help Others Whenever You Can: One of the best ways to stay balanced is by helping others and making yourself available to them. When you do this, it creates a feeling of gratitude and fulfillment in your life. You can help others by volunteering at a soup kitchen, donating money or clothes to homeless shelters, tutoring kids who are struggling academically, or simply lending an ear to someone who needs advice.

12. Stay Connected With Your Friends And Family: A lot of people feel like they are the only ones feeling this way, but that’s not true. Having a strong social support system and a good relationship with your friends and family can make all the difference in helping you stay balanced. Social interaction is crucial for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. When we have someone to confide in who understands what we’re going through, it can help us cope with difficult emotions or challenging situations.

Mental health is just as essential as physical health, so you should constantly and continually look after yourself. Learn how to take care of your mind and body, be mindful of your emotions, and surround yourself with supportive people who care about you. You’ll find that you can live a happier and healthier life.