10 Ways to Support Your Mental Health and Manage Stress in 2024

These simple, proven strategies will help you manage stress and find meaning in the new year.

Since the height of the pandemic, there has been a cultural shift in how we talk about mental health. It's as if the years of isolation and uncertainty have helped us understand how vital our emotional needs are to our overall well-being.

Now As we pay more attention to our inner lives, it is also essential that we take action. Fortunately, there are a number of things everyone can do to nourish their mental health and find moments of joy.

Here are some of our favorite tips from past year. we are preparing to enter 2024.

1. Try a proven method to sleep better.

Experts say getting enough sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our mental health. If you're having trouble falling or staying asleep, studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, or CBT, is as effective as using short-term sleeping pills – and more effective. long-term. C.B.T.-I. helps people manage sleep-related anxieties and find ways to relax. To find a provider, try the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine directory.

2. Learn to know whether your anxiety is protective or problematic.

It's normal to feel anxious from time to time. In fact, having some anxiety can be helpful. Experts say an internal alarm system can improve our performance, help us recognize danger and even encourage us to be more conscientious. So we asked Dr. Petros Levounis, president of the American Psychiatric Association: How much anxiety is too much?

"If you start to notice that worry and fear are there constantly, it’s a signal that you need help,” he said.

Other signs Things to watch out for include restlessness, a feeling of fear or doom, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, and difficulty concentrating.

3. Stop the worry cycle.

If you tend to ruminate, there are a few simple ways to curb the habit. The first is to distract yourself: research shows that diversions can help you forget about what's stressing you out. Try playing play a word game or listen to music, paying close attention to the lyrics.

Other times, it's best not to fight the want, but that doesn't mean you should let your thoughts spiral out of control. Set a timer for 10 to 30 minutes of dedicated rumination time and give yourself permission to think mentally. When the timer goes off, it's time to move on.

4. Practice “5 Things to Tidy Up.”

When you have mental health issues, basic tasks like washing the dishes or doing the laundry can seem impossible. But living in disorder can make you feel worse. KC Davis, licensed professional counselor and author of the book "How to Keep a House While Drowning," advises focusing on functionality rather than aesthetics: Your home doesn't have to be perfect, but it should be habitable.