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Mental health is an incredibly important yet often overlooked part of our lives. Mental health is something we live with every day, from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to bed (and even in our dreams). It’s a part of who we are. When our mental health is good, we feel great. But when it’s not, we don’t feel so great—in fact, sometimes we can feel downright miserable.

If your mental health isn’t at its best right now, you might be asking yourself: why? Why do I have to put up with this? Why can’t I just “be happy again”?

The truth is that there are many factors that contribute to our mental health. Some of them are things we can control—like what we eat and how much we sleep—and some of them aren’t, like genetics or traumas from the past.

At some point, we’ve all been there. you’re an adult. It’s the middle of the week. You’ve spent the last three days being a functional member of society, at work and at home, but today you’re struggling. You just can’t seem to make it through your workday with the same level of energy and focus that you managed earlier in the week. And then you start to wonder about what’s wrong with you, why can’t you get it together? 

How to Navigate Mental Health as an Adult

If this sounds familiar, breathe a sigh of relief: you’re not alone. Don’t worry, we’re not going to suggest that everything is simply a manifestation of your uncontrolled thoughts and feelings—it’s more complicated than that. But, if you’re struggling with mental health concerns like depression or anxiety, even when everything else in your life is fine, mentally healthy days can feel out of reach. 

Depression affects about 20% of all adults in the United States and anxiety affects almost a third of all adults.

Mental health issues can affect anyone, without any particular cause or trigger—but they don’t have to stop you from living your life fully. In fact, we believe that everyone deserves to live their best life every day! So what should you do if you find yourself struggling with your mental health? Well, to start off, it’s knowing that you’re not alone: depression affects about 20% of all adults in the United States and anxiety affects almost a third of all adults.

It’s hard to know where you stand on your mental health when you’re an adult. You’ve got so many responsibilities, and there are so many things that need taking care of that if it feels like something isn’t “right,” it’s easy to just try to ignore it. But ignoring your mental health isn’t going to make it better. It’s like a car—if the engine is making a weird sound, you can’t just pretend the car is working fine and keep driving—you have to figure out what the problem is and fix it, or you’ll never get back on the road.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re an adult and have at least some experience with mental health problems. Maybe you have depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with something else.

Or maybe—just maybe—you know something just isn’t right, but you don’t know what to do about it.

Whatever your situation, we’re here to help! To navigate your mental health as an adult the first step you can do is to realize that mental health is just as important as physical health. If your body were a car, mental health might be the engine—and it’s just as important to keep that running smoothly as it is to keep your wheels oiled and tires inflated.

Too many of us neglect our mental health until we’re in crisis mode—but by then, it’s too late. That’s why we’ve put together this list of things to keep in mind when you’re getting started on your journey to better self-care:

Tips for a better journey to self-care: 

• Take time for yourself—every day! It’s important that you prioritize yourself before anyone else. Everyone has its own pace and your journey does not need anyone’s opinion. Don’t let other people shame you for taking time for yourself. 
• Allow time and effort to find the right treatment for your needs. Have yourself get checked if things are starting to feel too much. Remember, you’re not alone.
• Self-care is not one size fits all. Just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. Know what’s best for you and be comfortable in your own ways.
• Find a hobby that you enjoy. It can be painting, sketching, or sewing. It can be anything. What’s important is that you have found something you can enjoy. 
• Exercise consistently. Take a walk, and have a jog. Enjoy the outside to have yourself a breather. 
• Get enough sleep. I know it might be hard when you have a lot of things in your mind but getting enough sleep can improve your mood. 
• Practice implementing self-care regularly to avoid burnout. 
• Talk about your feelings with friends and family if you’re comfortable. Always consider yourself first if you’re able to let your feelings out. You know best.