Struggling With Anxiety and Depression? How Can We Work On Improving Our Mental Health?
Mental health is critical to overall health and can impact physical and emotional well-being if not recognized and treated.
Anxiety and depression have overlapping symptoms, and individuals often do not realize that they may suffer from both simultaneously.
Symptoms of anxiety/depression are:
Lack of energy and the desire to sleep all day.
Easily frustrated and upset at the simplest things.
Unfounded feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
Unable to concentrate and make decisions.
Loss of interest in the things you typically enjoy.
Changes in eating with weight gain or weight loss unrelated to dieting.
In my years of practice as a nurse practitioner, I have an increasing concern as the number of my patients with anxiety and depression continually grows as they confront both familiar and emerging challenges in their daily lives.
Triggers for anxiety and depression can be due to a family history of mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse, financial stress, loss of a job, relationship struggles, illness, or the death of a loved one.
Patients ask, “What can I do to help with my symptoms of anxiety and depression?”
Focus on your well-being.
Engage in activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional health by:
Get restful sleep. Set a time to go to bed and when to wake up and get 7-9 hours of rest.
Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Exercise or walk 30 minutes 5 times a week. Try to park further away from a building and use stairs instead of the elevator.
Plan healthy meals. Try meal planning and look at the mediterranean diet.
Practice relaxation techniques with meditation and yoga.
Reach out to a friend or loved one for support and reassurance.
Sometimes, handling the difficulties of anxiety and depression ourselves can be daunting, requiring support from therapy and medication.
Seek help from your healthcare provider and work together to find the right treatment plan.
It often takes several attempts to find the proper medication that is most effective with the fewest side effects.
Mywellnessvitals Practice Pearls:
When beginning treatment, patience is essential to find the proper medication and the right therapist.
Stick with the treatment plan and work with your healthcare provider; don’t stop the medication once you are feeling better.
We all struggle with challenges in our day-to-day lives, reach out for help, and be aware of the mental strain of anxiety and depression on our emotional and physical health.