People often talk about the importance of mental health and self-care. But what exactly is proper mental health or self-care? Also, what are some practical steps to help you to manage your personal mental health? Often, a person with a past of drug or alcohol addiction may struggle to maintain their mental health because of the turmoil addiction creates. Yet, with a few strategies and a dual diagnosis treatment program, it may be possible to build a stronger, healthier future.
For example, the dual diagnosis treatment program at Fort Behavioral Health provides a comprehensive approach to treatment. Many people find that dual diagnosis treatment has been the key to successful recovery.
The Importance of Personal Mental Health
Having good mental health doesn’t mean you are happy all of the time. It doesn’t mean you’ll live a stress-free life. Rather, good mental health means you have the tools to deal with the ups and downs that happen to everyone in an effective manner, without feeling the need to turn to drugs and alcohol as you do so. Ask yourself honest questions. When someone angers you, or you fail at a project, do you work through negative thoughts and emotions about yourself? Do you often have inaccurate feelings that you’re worthless or a failure? That is a signal you may need more help.
Working on Personal Mental Health
To achieve improved mental health, consider a few specific strategies that tend to work for most people:
- Get routine exercise – Just thirty minutes of some type of exercise, even walking, each day helps improve mood and health, including helping to reduce the stress you feel from many types of negative experiences.
- Sleep enough and on a routine schedule – Sleep is an important way for your brain to process information and heal inflammation. Set a schedule and stick to it, sleeping in the dark whenever possible to minimize light exposure that stimulates the brain.
- Set goals you can achieve – Don’t set yourself up to fail. Instead, set realistic goals and priorities you can work towards consistently.
- Learn to say no – When tasks, experiences, or responsibilities become so hard that you cannot do it, say no. Learning to say no to things that are challenging for you is critical to reducing stress and frustration down the road.
- Find a way to relax every day – Meditation, mindfulness, nature, or reading are simple but effective ways to help your mind and body relax and heal.
Recognize the Need for Dual Diagnosis Treatment
For men and women battling addiction, mental health treatment becomes critical. That’s especially true if you have depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other forms of mental health disorders. Treatment for this means focusing on both addiction therapy and mental health treatment at the same time with a licensed therapist.
If you are using drugs or alcohol right now, your mental health is likely to struggle especially if you are using these substances to self-medicate against the symptoms of depression or anxiety. There is help available.
Our master-level clinicians can offer that help to you. During a dual diagnosis treatment program, you’ll learn strategies for dealing with negative emotions, inaccurate thinking, and negative behaviors. We do this through a range of therapies, including:
What can you do today to feel better? It starts with recognizing the need to get help from professionals. That is the single most important decision you can make today for your future.
Make Your Mental Health a Priority with Help from Fort Behavioral Health
Personal mental health isn’t something to push to the side for any reason. Rather, make it a focus of your day every day. When life becomes difficult, our team at Fort Behavioral Health is here to help you. Reach out to our team now online or call 844.332.1807 for support today.
