Mental health and how to deal with life crisis

Sometimes it feels like the rug gets pulled out from under you. Maybe it's the loss of a job, a stressful family situation, a friendship turned sour or a nasty divorce. In times like these, you may find yourself stressed, anxious, scared and wondering how to deal with a life crisis while still going about your daily life.

These reactions are normal, but they can also take a physical and mental toll.

"Crisis affects us all in different ways," says Sarah Sweda, MS, NCC, LPC, Mental Health Clinical Supervisor at Mirmont Outpatient Center in Broomall, part of Main Line Health. "There's no 'right way' to cope with stressful times, but there are things you can do to manage these emotions."

Sweda offers some advice on how to deal with a life crisis in mentally healthy ways.

Limit your news consumption

The news and current events are a source of anxiety for many people at any time. But when you're dealing with your own feelings of fear, sadness or anxiety, it can be especially distracting and frightening.

But how can you balance your need to be informed with mental health?

"Set realistic limits," says Sweda. "For example, you can try to limit yourself to one hour of news consumption per day, or one hour at night and in the morning. That includes scrolling through social media, reading the news online, watching it on TV, listening to the radio or a podcast, anywhere that you're likely to hear or read information that can trigger feelings of stress or anxiety."

Setting limits ensures that you get the information you need without speculation or prolonged discussion about a topic that can be triggering to you. Ask people you live with to respect these limits, too, and consider managing news alerts on your phone or putting your phone away altogether.

Find new routines

If you're used to a happy hour or catching up with friends after work, try cooking dinner with family. Or if you're tired of hanging out at home, why not stop by your favorite coffee shop, plan a lunch outing with colleagues or meet up with your running group?

There are a lot of ways we can try new hobbies and stay connected to others - local Meet Up groups, places of worship may have events to attend or local non-profits may have volunteer opportunities. You can't change the circumstances you're dealing with, but you can change your overall response to them. Start coming up with new routines that help break up your day and keep your mind engaged.

Make physical health a priority

It can be tempting to oversleep, overeat or otherwise indulge in unhealthy behaviors to help you cope with depression, stress or anxiety. You may be more likely to drink or use drugs if this is how you traditionally dealt with a life crisis in the past or with uncomfortable feelings.

If you suspect you might resort to unhealthy ways of coping, talk to a counselor or therapist who can help you work through these feelings and identify healthier alternatives.

And be sure to make healthy habits a priority. If you're able, leave home to exercise or find at-home workouts. Stick to a normal sleep-wake schedule and prepare yourself well-balanced meals. These are seemingly small gestures, but they can help you maintain some sense of normalcy in a time of crisis.

Identify your support network

Having people you can depend on when you need to talk or get your mind off an issue can be helpful. Find the people who make you feel good and can offer encouragement. This might be family members, friends or even a therapist. Avoid relationships that leave you feeling drained or negative or more anxious.

Ask for help if you need it

Dealing with a life crisis can be emotionally and psychologically isolating. Isolation can heighten feelings of loneliness, depression or anxiety. While you can do things to help keep these feelings at bay, remember you don't have to deal with them alone.

"If you're struggling with depression or anxiety, it can be easy to compare yourself to someone else and wonder why you can't 'pull yourself out' of these feelings. Don't put blame on yourself for how or what you feel," says Sweda.

Instead, find someone who can help you work through these feelings and offer medical support, if necessary. Many therapists offer virtual therapy sessions, for example, to help people deal with these concerns.

Remember, mental health is an important piece of our overall health. Just as you would get an annual physical or see a doctor for a physical issue, reach out and find a therapist to support your mental health needs. You don't have to wait for a crisis to do that - make it part of your overall wellness plan.

Next steps:

Make an appointment with a behavioral health provider 
Learn more about behavioral health care at Main Line Health 
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