How to Resist Negativity and Preserve Your Nerves?

On the eve of World Mental Health Day, we discuss how to preserve your nerves if you are subjected to constant stress.

The Essence of the Problem

Acknowledging the problem is the first step towards solving it. However, identifying the problem is a much more serious process than it might seem. In modern realities, the attitude towards mental illnesses can often be quite dismissive. At best, people perceive their mental health as something simple and understandable, easily diagnosing themselves with “depression” for various reasons, while in reality, nerves might be unsettled for entirely different reasons (or not unsettled at all, which is another discussion altogether).

Nerves Are “Invisible”

In the worst case, it all boils down to a joke. Everyone knows the feeling when serious complaints about one’s well-being are met with “don’t bother me. Just take some valerian and it will pass.”

The difficulty is compounded by the fact that mental health, whether it is in order or not, is not always apparent from external signs. Consider how many celebrities, from Robin Williams to Keith Flint, seemed to radiate positivity in public, and no one would have thought their nerves might be in disarray. And it all ended very sadly.

So what should you do?

How to Take Mental Health Seriously

There are many reasons why nerves might fall into chaos. For many, the starting point is issues with self-esteem. No one is perfect, and it is not worth focusing on your imperfections, real or imagined. Unfortunately, this is not easy for everyone. Low self-esteem is the very stone that drags all other areas of life down into negativity.

Made a mistake at work? It can’t be a miscalculation by someone else or a result of pressure from the boss—clearly, I am just a failure.

Gained a few extra pounds? Another reason to torment yourself about your complete helplessness, instead of engaging in sports or even just happily accepting a little extra weight.

Thus, nerves slowly but steadily deteriorate, and it becomes hard to perceive anything objectively rather than through the lens of one’s own insignificance. As a result, mental health rapidly declines. And this will continue if professional help is not sought.

Healing Your Nerves

We spoke with psychologists, and here’s what they recommend if you feel your mental health is at risk:

• Thoughts are not material. Only you give them a negative or positive tint. You won’t just be able to drive them away—they will definitely return with the same negative message. It’s much wiser to analyze them rationally and methodically. A session of self-work might help you realize that there’s really nothing to be afraid of.
• Reflect on when and under what circumstances your nerves began to fail, when negativity started to chase you. Understanding the root causes can help many people better grasp the origins of negativity and, quite likely, leave it in the past.
• Ignoring help is one of the most important symptoms that your nerves are not okay. “What if they prescribe me medication that I won’t be able to get off of—what then?” Yes, of course, it’s much more effective to remain a voluntary victim of your fears and put your mental health at even greater risk than to seek timely help from a psychotherapist. Is that what you think is the solution?
• Not all treatment methods are medicinal. Sometimes even a session of psychoanalysis or hypnosis can be much more beneficial.

Conclusions

The sooner you embark on the path of self-awareness and seek help, the better. Self-diagnosis is good, but only in the beginning—at some point, you will need to consult a doctor who can help you get your nerves in order.

Did you like our material today? Visit our blog more often—here you will always find informative articles about women’s, including mental, health, motherhood, nutrition, and much more.

After learning how to resist negativity and preserve your mental well-being, it’s important to focus on your physical health with essential examinations for women