Everyone is looking for the most effective ways to improve health and happiness to enjoy life. However, this is easier said than done, and some people can find it impossible to realize and embrace effective changes that make a difference.
This may sound familiar. No matter what you do, you cannot stick to new habits, or you find yourself struggling to make sense of anything in life. The monotony, the doom scrolling, and the lack of purpose feel too overwhelming, but could this be a sign of something more? It could be that you need help from friends and professionals, and here are some ways to accept this before you fall too far.
You Aren’t Yourself Anymore
Even if you haven’t noticed a considerable change in your personality, other people may have. They may not have said it outright, but they could have changed their behavior around you to avoid upsetting you or causing conflict.
You might have recognized that you’re not the same person you were, whether this was a few months or a few years ago. Acknowledging that you aren’t yourself is a practical first step towards accepting you need help, although it can feel impossible to get out of the pit of denial that has convinced you everything is peachy.
You Encounter Regular Mood Swings
There are plenty of reasons you might encounter mood swings, ranging from stress to mental illness and beyond. If you are experiencing peaks and valleys and find yourself overly emotional at the most minor things, it’s a sign you need advice at the very least.
These mood swings will make it challenging to be yourself, and they can affect your personal and professional life. As supportive as friends, family, and coworkers can be, the unpredictability could still cause problems. You don’t need to know why you’re going through mood swings, but realizing that they are happening can push you towards accepting help.
You are Relying on Escapes
Everyone has their own way of finding an escape. Some choose video games, others opt for books or TV. you can also think about positive escapes, such as exercise or meditation, but there are also negative escapes that can have a detrimental effect on your wellbeing.
Overindulging in negative escapes, such as drugs, food, and even sex can shift your perspective. Instead of using them to escape, they become something you cannot function without. Although it can take time for this to become a significant problem, it’s always best to catch it and overcome it as early as possible. A local support group or rehab facility is there for you, but only if you confront these issues and accept that a change must come.
You’ve Experienced a Challenging Change
People deal with sudden challenging changes in many ways. Perhaps you have recently lost your job, or you have lost a family member or friend. You may have even received bad news regarding your health.
Whatever has happened, a sudden change can throw your life into a spin. This is especially true if you’re not accustomed to dealing with such bad news, as you don’t know how to cope. You have ideas, but they may not be beneficial for your health or wellbeing. You shouldn’t be forced to experience this change alone, so even if you don’t look for professional help, you can find resources, including friends and online support groups, who have experienced the same thing. By working with these, you’ll gain perspective and learn the best ways to cope without resorting to harmful escapes.
You’ve Lost Enjoyment
There is a symptom of depression known as anhedonia, where you struggle to feel enjoyment from anything, even things you used to enjoy. This could be music, TV, hanging out with friends, or doing hobbies you previously looked forward to every week.
If you no longer enjoy them or find partaking in them an effort, it could be a sign that you need help. This may not always be the case, and anhedonia usually comes with other symptoms. You can look for different ways to enjoy yourself, especially a change of scenery, but if this does not provide the intended results, consider reaching out.
Reach Out
It’s always difficult to accept that you need help, especially if you consider yourself self-sufficient and independent. You cannot continue with these emotional changes and experiences without proper assistance. Whether from friends and family or a professional, reaching out has never been easier. Accepting this help will give you the support and perspective you need to improve your life and grab health and happiness tightly.
