If struggling with mental health, aggressively seek professional help, as demonstrated by Ginger’s experience in transforming her life.
After initial intensive treatment, commit to consistent and frequent follow-up therapy sessions, potentially for extended durations, to solidify progress and prevent relapse.
Maximize the effectiveness of therapy by engaging fully and honestly, dedicating significant time to self-reflection on your past and future, and leveraging group sessions for diverse perspectives.
Recognize and accept mental illness as a disease that necessitates proactive steps and treatment, understanding that taking action is crucial for recovery and improvement.
To make therapy truly effective and prevent future crises, commit to being completely honest with your therapist, sharing all details and emotions without reservation.
Stop blocking out or running away from difficult past events and emotions; instead, actively confront and discuss them to facilitate healing and personal growth.
Actively identify your personal mental health warning signs and openly communicate them to trusted individuals, especially when you feel you are nearing a crisis, to seek immediate help.
For those supporting someone with severe mental health issues, it may be necessary to demand a full commitment to professional treatment, such as checking into a facility, as a condition for continued support.
Identify and end abusive or manipulative relationships as early as possible, drawing confidence from stories of those who regret staying in such situations for too long.
If you find yourself repeatedly drawn to or ‘addicted’ to unhealthy relationship dynamics, engage in consistent and honest therapy to address and overcome these patterns.
Engage in consistent therapy and self-work to develop a strong sense of self-worth and the belief that you are deserving of healthy, loving relationships.
Employ the “fence” technique to create emotional boundaries, preventing the absorption of others’ feelings and avoiding taking on responsibility for their emotional states.
When confronted with another’s emotions, pause to reflect on your actual responsibility; if you are not at fault, acknowledge their feelings without internalizing them or taking on their emotional burden.
Develop the habit of addressing issues immediately and directly through healthy confrontation, rather than avoidance, to foster clearer communication and quicker resolution in relationships.
During significant life or career transitions, maintain heightened awareness of your mental state and proactively watch for any warning signs of depression or imbalance.
When experiencing low feelings, openly and honestly communicate them to your partner, discussing the underlying issues to process them together and prevent escalation.
At the end of each day, engage in a “prayerful moment” or self-debrief to reflect on your actions, assess how you reacted, and evaluate your use of coping tools, noting what went well and what could be improved.
Following daily self-reflection, promptly communicate any unresolved emotions or issues to those involved, preventing accumulation and fostering healthier, more immediate resolution in relationships.
When experiencing upsetting emotions, apply the “matter test” by asking if the issue will matter tomorrow, in a week, or in a year; if not, release it, but if so, address it.
Engage in “real” meditation by observing your mind’s chaotic thoughts without judgment, noticing distractions, and gently returning your focus to your breath or chosen anchor point.
Regularly observe your mind’s chaotic and negative thoughts during meditation to understand their transient nature, which helps reduce their power over your actions in daily life.
Develop in-the-moment awareness to recognize urges to speak (or withhold speech) that you might later regret, enabling immediate, skillful communication rather than delayed reflection.
During meditation, briefly note the nature of any distraction, “welcome it in” without judgment, and then gently return your focus to your breath or anchor to cultivate a less aggressive self-attitude.
When distracted during meditation or daily life, acknowledge the thought by saying “Welcome to the party,” then gently redirect your attention back to the present task or breath.
When pursuing personal aspirations, hold them gently, anticipate inevitable failures, and practice self-forgiveness rather than self-criticism to maintain progress and well-being.
When you make mistakes, practice self-forgiveness instead of self-criticism, and focus on improving your ability to apologize quickly to others.
When parenting, consciously avoid placing the burden of your happiness on your children, ensuring they do not feel responsible for your emotional state or obligated to please you.
Identify and work to overcome extreme people-pleasing tendencies, which often arise from a desire to ensure everyone else’s happiness but can lead to personal suffering.
When colleagues or friends express concern about your physical or mental state, take their observations seriously as they can be crucial indicators of underlying issues.
In critical life decisions, seek frank advice from respected, trusted individuals and, crucially, listen to your own honest inner voice, especially when external pressures are high.
When encountering issues at work, proactively address them by directly communicating with the relevant individuals or taking specific, decisive actions.
Actively develop genuine curiosity and care for other people, engaging in frank conversations to learn their stories, which fosters self-honesty and mutual support.
Openly share your personal struggles and vulnerabilities to help others feel less isolated, inspiring them to share their own stories and seek necessary support.
Share your personal experiences with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or substance abuse to help others feel less alone and understand that these conditions are common and manageable.
Advocate for and adopt a perspective that destigmatizes mental health facilities, viewing them as essential “rehab” for mental illness, similar to how substance abuse treatment is perceived.
Recognize that depression can be a persistent condition and focus on learning and utilizing effective tools and strategies to manage its presence in your life.
Practice meditation in various settings, such as the back seat of a car, rather than limiting it to specific environments, to integrate it more easily into your daily life.
Adopt “impossible” aspirations, such as wishing all beings freedom from suffering, as their inherent unachievability can foster greater self-forgiveness and reduce self-imposed pressure.
During challenging or depressive periods, actively remind yourself that negative feelings and difficulties are temporary and will eventually pass, like clouds in the atmosphere.