If you’ve read my mental health story previously, you’ll understand how serious things got for me and why I would never willingly return to that mental space. It’s why protecting my mental health is a non-negotiable priority for me.
Over the years, as I’ve understood and accepted myself more, I’ve identified and employed effective coping strategies. They don’t always make complete sense to others and can be challenging at times to uphold, but they’re the first things I check in on when I feel myself taking a dip because, for me, at least, they work.
Now, if there were a queue of people handing out mental health advice, I wouldn’t place myself at the front of the said queue – there are far more qualified experts out there to help. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have something to offer you. My intention in sharing my coping strategies is to encourage you to identify and – most importantly – prioritise your own.
Maybe one or two of the things I do will resonate and can work for you too – you never know until you try, right? Either way, I hope that sharing this will reaffirm the message that we all need to actively look after our mental well-being in whichever way works for us.
5 Coping Strategies I use to look after my mental health
#01 Keep a Clean & Tidy Home
I have undoubtedly been called house proud, clean freak, wannabe Stepford wife, borderline OCD etc. None of it is accurate, and to be honest, it doesn’t bother me. I clean and keep things tidy, not because of what others think, but because it helps my mental health.
When my environment is clean and clutter-free – which is no mean feat when you’ve got kids and guinea pigs – I feel calmer, less stressed and most critically, less overwhelmed. Don’t just take my word for it; research has demonstrated that mental health and cleaning are connected.
So next time you place your bottom on my sparkly clean toilet, know that as welcome as you are in my home, it really hasn’t been done to impress you; it was more about keeping my own sh*t together.
#02 Having my own space
This isn’t so much about having a space in my house that’s just mine, more having time (anywhere really) where I can be entirely on my own for a bit. You see, despite being a confident person, I’m a big introvert and need time on my own daily. It doesn’t matter how much I’ve enjoyed someone’s company or the event I attended; afterwards, I will feel drained. Without time on my own to recharge, I can become anxious, irritable and exhausted. So each day, I escape by myself.
I’m not talking masses of alone time either; sometimes, just 10 minutes will cut it. As long I get some time on my own, I’m golden.
Ways to get time on your own when your life isn’t conducive to it:
- Take a short walk.
- Close the door!
- Clear your diary for when your child is having a nap.
- Announce it, nothing grand, just ‘I’m going to take 15 minutes on my own now, I’ll come and find you when I’m done.’
- Say ‘no’ more often.
- Put your phone on silent.
#03 Maintain Boundaries
As an in-remission people pleaser, I find this one particularly challenging. However, being firm on my boundaries helps protect my mental health. I’m not going to bore you with what my boundaries are, and, let’s be honest, everyone’s boundaries are different. Even though I sometimes run the risk of being viewed as an unsociable party-pooper, I’ve drawn my mental well-being line in the sand, and I stick to it.
Side note: People will push your boundaries, especially if their boundaries lie nowhere near yours. It’s not about who’s boundaries are right or wrong; it’s about respecting the boundaries that someone has chosen to put in place.
To help you with your boundary maintenance, I’ve shared some top tips on how to say ‘no’ effectively.
#04 Exercise
I hope there’s no eye-rolling going on with this one – I know I advocate it a lot, but exercise is exceptionally high on my mental health coping strategies list. I only have to not exercise for a little while to notice a real dip in how good I feel. It’s the surest thing to give me a boost. In fact, I exercise more for my mental health than I do for my physical health (although good physical health is a nice bonus).
In a nutshell, exercise is helpful because it releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in your brain. Exercising reduces stress levels and helps you sleep better. You can find out other brilliant things about exercise and how it enables you to feel happier here.
#05 Build a Good Support Network
Yes, I’m introverted, but even introverts need a good support network. Cutting yourself off is in no way conducive to good mental health. I have very open and honest conversations with my husband about how I’m feeling. My mother-in-law is wonderfully supportive too. Plus, I have some of the most incredible friends in the world, which I can call on at any time for extra support.
I just want to point out that it is reciprocal – I’m there for everyone in the same way they’re there for me. However, it’s absolutely OK to lean on people when you need to – you never have to go through things alone.
Plus, if needed, I know when to seek professional help, maybe therapy or a trip to the GP. There is never anything wrong with asking for help. And there is always more love and support out there for you than you maybe realise.
Ready to determine your coping strategies for better mental health?
So now I’ve shared the five coping strategies I use to protect my mental health; perhaps it’s time (if you haven’t already) to work out yours? Hopefully, it will be a straightforward process for you. For me, it took a lot of self-reflection plus trial and error.
The best advice I can offer you is to think about what actions bring you peace or help recharge your batteries. Think about times when you weren’t feeling so great – what helped you get through?
It’s equally important to consider what might you have done differently? I know I would have opened up and asked for help a lot sooner. Keep in mind that this isn’t an exercise in self-criticism, just an opportunity to take the learning out of every situation to be a greater help to yourself moving forward.
And finally, when you know what truly helps, consider writing those actions down as a pledge or promise to yourself; perhaps in a journal or somewhere you can easily access it. When you’re struggling, you can revisit them, reminding yourself that you’re worth all the action you need to take to feel better.
RELATED: 7 Helpful Tips For Better Well-Being
Support Organisations:
Samaritans
If you’re feeling emotionally distressed and need someone to talk to, you can phone at any time of day or night.
Helpline: 116 123 (lines open 24 hours, free and does not appear on telephone billing)
Campaign Against Living Miserably – CALM
CALM offer support information and advice for men, helping to prevent male suicide.
Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (lines open 5pm – 12 midnight)
Mind
Mind provide an information service for all aspects of mental health, which includes depression and Post Natal Depression. Local branches of MIND can be found online or by calling the helpline.
Helpline: 0300 123 3393 (lines open Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm)
Email: infor@mind.org.uk
Sane
Sane offer crisis care and emotional support to anyone affected by a mental health problem including depression.
Email: support@sane.org.uk
International Crisis Lines by Country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines
I hope you’ve found the coping strategies I use for protecting my mental health helpful? Do you use any of the same strategies as me? What other strategies do you find helpful? Whatever you’d like to say – or ask – please do. I’m happy to help and I always love to hear from you!
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Love this! Great advice!
Thank you Leah! x
This is INCREDIBLY useful, Alex. Thank you. I imagine that these strategies apply to the vast majority of people in the population. Thank you.
So happy to hear you feel that way. Thank you for reading & sharing x