How To Help a Loved One Through the Winter Blues

As we continue to trek through February and the winter blues strike hard, it’s important to keep an eye out for your loved ones who may struggle with their mental health. Whether they struggle with depression, body dysmorphia, or an anxiety disorder, the best thing you can do for them is to be present. You never know how your presence may impact someone who is struggling.

For some, mental health has become a much easier topic to discuss among loved ones. Today’s society is more comfortable discussing its mental struggles to find a community of people to lean on. Sometimes, a loved one may be the only form of support an individual has.

Take Time to Understand Your Loved One

Every person who struggles with mental health is completely individual, creating unique thoughts, reactions, and temptations. Getting to know your loved one as an individual can assist in getting to know their mental struggles as well. Just because two people may battle with depression does not mean they will showcase their symptoms in the same way. Give your loved one space while you take some time to understand their struggles and habits.

@itsmrskelly

Gonna get some heat for this one! Well maybe not… nuance seems to be hard to understand these days. Because for so long it’s been turned into a weapon aimed at people’s intelligence. Firstly let me just say – I am incredibly stupid. I am learning everyday, I make mistakes, I fail spectacularly and constantly feel cringe and shame. Does that stop me from living? Not at all. It’s part of it. So before you take the moral high ground of understanding your way must be the best to ever exist in the history of all humanity, take a beat, and remember we’re all just figuring it out. There’s no right or wrong way to feel things, sure there are wrong ways to act on them, but allow yourself some grace. Allow poetry and words a little bit of common ground. Don’t jump to the conclusion that everything – including you – is set in stone. So many people project their values onto others because of one very dastardly thing… Fear. People are afraid that things won’t work out (they don’t always do) or of being wrong (it’s okay to be) and then we isolate our intellect, and worse, our humanity in favor of staying perfectly comfortable and still inside our little boxes. What a shame. And that’s not to make anyone feel bad, for many of us it’s how we grow up, but sometimes the flower needs to be repotted, that can feel confronting, scary, all of these things… Don’t be afraid, and if you are, well that’s okay too. While you’re alive right this instant, someone has only hours left. Be kind to your heart, none of us are here for long. #1924us #mrskelly #hope #life #art

♬ Jacob and the Stone SLOWED – ssxmusic

It may seem easiest to submit to your urges of irritation or defeat when your loved one lashes out or shuts down. Patience is extremely important in such situations because you never know what your loved one may be dealing with. To help them through a difficult mental situation, try to step into their shoes and understand where they’re coming from before your frustration gets the best of you.

The only person who fully understands the struggles that your loved one may be going through is them. Getting them to open up about their situation can help both of you in many ways. Talking about the situation can help lessen the load on their shoulders, while also broadening your understanding of their struggles. Be sure not to pressure your loved one into conversing. If they don’t wish to discuss their mental health, it may not be the time for them to share with you.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health Can Strengthen Theirs

Support is extremely important for those who struggle with mental health, but if the support system is also weakened, no support can truly be provided. Prioritizing your own mental health is just as important as supporting others with theirs. If you continue to push yourself to your limits, concerning yourself with others more so than your individual needs, you’re sure to experience mental burnout.

Mental burnout is a state of mental exhaustion that often causes one to grow weary. Burnt-out individuals are often easily irritable and detach themselves from loved ones. As one continues to lose mental strength, their physical strength will begin to diminish as well. Therefore, if your mindset is bad, it will be very difficult to help strengthen another’s mindset.

@demerismorse

Always prioritize your self care 🫶 #calmingnature #inspirational #goldenhour #goldenhouraesthetic #takeadeepbreath #nature #gratitudedaily #practicegratitude #bepresent #smallmomentsofcalm #simplelife #lookforbeauty #natureaesthetic #simplenature #slowdown #spendtimeoutside #romanticizeyourlife #natureheals #cottagecore #cottagecoreaesthetic #selfcare #slowliving #slowlife #sunsetvideos #sunsets

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How To Handle The Moment You Realize You Have Horrible Bosses

♬ original sound – Demeris Morse

To be a good role model for your loved one, you must show yourself the amount of love that you hope they will show themselves. If you exude an abundance of confidence and self-appreciation, your mindset is sure to rub off on those around you. A person who feels good about themselves often treats others very well, which can create a domino effect of self-love.

The Power of a Support System

Depending on your loved one’s needs and desires, they may not want a great deal of attention. Support can look different to everyone. Some may enjoy their personal space, while others may need an activity to keep them busy. Get to know their desires so that you know how best to support them through their struggles.

No matter what your loved one wishes to partake in, you should remind yourself to show up. Your presence is more important to them than you may realize. Allow them to go through the motions and fight their internal battles, supporting them in any way that you’re able to. Sometimes more is less, and the best you can do for your loved one is simply to show up.

There’s not a single powerful leader who would send one lonesome soldier to war, so you shouldn’t expect your loved ones to fight their battles alone. Providing even a small amount of support can be very beneficial. Weekly check-ins, dinners, or phone calls can impact your loved one’s life in an immense way. Support is essential to assisting with a loved one’s mental health, but it’s important that you discover the individual support they desire.