In this day in age, balancing work and mental health presents many challenges. Our energy and time are spent on fulfilling short- and long-term goals. The roles we play as a parent, daughter/son, sister/brother, wife/husband, student/patient, etc. may create an environment where fulfilling our duties leaves us overwhelmed and burnout. When life becomes challenging, or you experience a lot of change, you may ask, “Do I need therapy?” Therapy provides the support and tools you need to cope with life challenges. This article will discuss signs that you may need a therapist and ways to check in with yourself.
Signs I may need to see a therapist
In my experience, dealing with unexpected roadblocks and challenges in life presents many opportunities to reorganize and prioritize tasks. After all, balancing multiple roles is not negative until it consumes you to the point that you cannot cope. Before seeking therapy, I have always been able to communicate and express what I am going through with loved ones and relied on a community for emotional support. However, this approach does not always lead to impactful results, and I am left feeling helpless. Have you ever felt this way? What if you do not have a community? What happens if nothing gets better and you cannot cope on your own? According to the American Psychology Association, you should consider therapy when:
1. Thinking about the problem takes up about an hour of your time a day
2. Your quality of life is now reduced because of the problem
3. You have developed unhealthy coping practices, such as excessive alcohol or drug use.
4. You have intrusive thoughts of harming yourself or someone else
5. You have repetitive thoughts of worry or experience the feeling of hopelessness
6. You no longer find pleasure in the things you enjoy
7. You begin to socially withdraw
If you have acknowledged to experiencing any of these, therapy may be helpful for you.
Check-in with yourself
Incorporating mental wellness practices daily is a good start. Getting caught up in work and taking care of others is very easy. Take at least 15 minutes out of your day to check in with yourself. How high or low is your energy level today? What daily activities can you implement in your life to help increase your energy level? The practice I have implemented after attending therapy sessions is kickboxing. It is not the usual form of exercise one would first choose, but it is versatile, making it such an exciting experience. I get to release any negative feelings and relieve stress and tension which are all important for balancing health and wellness. Exercise has been shown to increase endorphins and helps physically and mentally. I encourage you to find activities you enjoy such as painting, reading, and journaling and pencil it in your planner to do at least once a week.
Please visit our mental health resources tab for more information on therapy and how to find a therapist.
