Regular mental health check-ins are as important as our physical health checks. There are five key areas of focus when conducting a mental health check-in that will help you assess and enhance your overall wellbeing.
Concentration
Our ability to focus on and complete tasks or be present when engaging with others provides insights into how busy our minds are. When we are at our best, we are able to attend to others and to tasks without being pulled away by distractions. If you are struggling to tune in or are experiencing drifts in your attention, this could indicate that you are feeling stressed, are overburdened, or are experiencing burnout.
Engagement
When we are feeling good, we tend to seek out the company of others or join in activities, both socially and professionally. If you find that you are dreading or avoiding interacting with friends, family, and co-workers, this can indicate issues with overall wellbeing. Additionally, keeping yourself so busy that you do not have time to think can be a way of keeping intrusive thoughts at bay. Either type of avoidance is an indication that there is something you do not feel ready to cope with.
Energy
Changes in our energy provide an early warning system for threats to our mental health. When we are feeling overextended emotionally, it can take a toll on us physically. The more occupied our minds are with stress or other issues, the less energy we have. Feeling a sudden decrease in energy is often the first sign of being overwhelmed, stress, or unhappy.
Sleep
Changes in our sleep pattern, just like changes in our energy, can reflect distress. A racing, overburdened mind will have difficulty shutting down and allowing the body to rest, resulting in an increase in sleepless nights.
Mood Regulation
Our ability to display a consistent mood externally and maintain one internally are both facets of our ability to regulate our mood. In times of stress or sadness, it becomes more difficult to control both how we feel and how we express ourselves. This can manifest in us being curt or dismissive, as well as in us experiencing increased irritability. Struggling with mood regulation decreases our ability to experience positivity. Difficulties in mood regulation also impact our ability to think clearly and to avoid becoming hyper-focused on negativity.
By taking the time to ask ourselves how we are doing in these five key areas of mental health, we can catch early warning signs that we need to seek some support. The earlier we catch signs that we are not okay, the easier it is to address whatever challenges we are facing. Conducting a mental health self-check can alert you that something is impacting your wellbeing. It is often the case that we don’t know what is at the root of our challenges.
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Therapy can help you discover, tackle, and overcome whatever issues are impacting your wellbeing. You don’t have to do this alone. We are here to help and support you. Book a session today and begin your healing journey.
Written by Kisstopher Musick, Psychologist. Click or scan the QR code below to connect with Kisstopher!
