Mental Health Month 2021: You Are Not Alone

May 2021 is Mental Health Awareness Month and it’s been a big topic this year. For many of us, self-isolating at home has impacted our well-being. Maybe your pants are fitting a bit more snug than usual. Or maybe your recycling bin is full of empty wine bottles when you live alone.

Whatever setbacks you’re experiencing, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. It’s time to make mental health a priority. Rather than avoiding the conversation, let’s shine a light. Mental health is not a taboo topic. Together, we can all work toward creating a healthy, inclusive safe space. Let’s not struggle alone. 

If your mental health has taken a hit recently, this blog post is for you. We’re not strictly talking about depression, either. Whether you’re feeling overworked, underappreciated, or stressed all-around, here are some warning signs to keep a lookout for: 

 

LANGUISHING – THE NEW BUZZWORD OF 2021

There’s a pretty wide grayscale between flourishing and struggling. You may not truly fall into a tidy category, but many people report a sense of joylessness and aimlessness. There’s a term used in mental health circles for that in-between feeling—languishing.

For those unfamiliar with the term, the New York Times defines languishing as “a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield. And it might be the dominant emotion of 2021.”

This chronic state of languish can be for a host of reasons. It may stem from uncertainty and the persistence of the pandemic. Just as you set a new routine or get a new habit, here comes another obstacle, shocking news story, or challenge. Many people feel that they are in a perpetual cycle of grief or struggling to find the bright side of life.

Here are some symptoms to keep an eye out for: 

 

  • Not functioning at full capacity
  • Revenge Bedtime Procrastination 
  • Inability to focus or dulled motivation
  • Lack of excitement or optimism for the future
  • Feeling despondent, drained, and/or worthless

 

Now that you have a word for this feeling, you might be wondering what the antidote is. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but here are a few that many have found helpful: 

 

  • Find new challenges that connect you to the present → Search for new activities that stretch your skills in unfamiliar ways. Board games are a great example of an activity that tethers you to the moment with a healthy dose of competition and enthusiasm.
  • Uninterrupted time →  Our lives are riddled with a million distractions, now more than ever. Whether it’s kids, work, relationships, or anything in between, set aside some sacred “me time”. Start with small goals like no electronic devices before noon or not checking emails past 5 pm.
  • Set boundaries to protect your peace → Your time is a precious resource worth safeguarding. Be selective about how and with whom you spend it. Make yourself your #1 priority and set firm boundaries in place to match.
  • Focus on small goals and tiny triumphs → Just because the pandemic has been a major setback doesn’t mean you haven’t still accomplished a lot this year. This can be as simple as a meaningful conversation with a stranger or spearheading a new work project.

Practicing these healthy habits doesn’t just minimize languishing—it boosts your productivity, too! No matter what, remember that your emotions are valid however positive or negative they may be. Put a name to how you’re feeling and troubleshoot different solutions. 

For more information on languishing, check out this article, There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing.

Revenge Bedtime Procrastination 

You’re probably hearing another term making the rounds in your circles too—revenge bedtime. High achievers are susceptible, especially when  you don’t have much control during the day.  Or when you spend most of the day at work, it’s common to try to make up for it at night. This means ignoring sleep to steal back some personal time to scroll through the internet, catch up on tv, or watching videos. 

While revenge bedtime procrastination can feel freeing, it can work against you.  Your stolen “me time” is actually time you should be sleeping to replenish and restore your body. Reducing sleep is not directly hurting your employer, but sleep deprivation can have adverse effects on your health. It can even shorten your lifespan! 

Working remotely blurs the boundaries separating work from home. This makes revenge bedtime even more of a challenge.  Emails and instant messaging open a constant channel of communication with employers, making it feel like you’re always at work. And let’s be honest, we’re used to sacrificing ourselves for others. That means we’re far more likely to work after normal 9-5 hours, or forfeit our leisure hours to get ahead. 

Be mindful of your sleep and aim for 7 hours a night moving forward.  Carve out personal time in other ways. That might mean finding another job or cutting back on your work hours. 

For more information on revenge bedtime procrastination, check out this article.

Remember—It’s Okay To Not Be Okay

We’ve all been mourning the loss of normalcy this past year. Our entire lives were flipped upside down with no preparation whatsoever. If you’re feeling pain or frustration, recognize that these emotions are okay and perfectly normal. 

You don’t need to shove toxic positivity down your throat, either. There’s no need to be upbeat at all times. In fact, constantly looking on the bright side can actually worsen your symptoms. Instead, acknowledge your negative emotions and speak your truth. 

If you need more help, check out our former blog post tackling the subject! It’s okay if you’re in pain. Life looks different for all of us, but with a bit of patience and self-care, we can get through it together.

 

*Any information provided on this blog or referenced on this site is not intended to be medical advice or treatment. Seek professional help from your medical team for further evaluation.