Today, we will talk about the benefits of a road trip on your mental health and the tips you can use to have fun and stay safe along the way.

Why Vacation Is Good For Your Mental Health

In addition to getting out of your stressful home environment, there are many other benefits to taking a road trip for your overall well-being. For starters, while you will be in the car a good amount of time, a road trip also allows you to get out during your drive and stop at local attractions and famous sights. When you stop at a roadside attraction, you never know who you will meet or what adventure awaits. Getting out of your comfort zone is one way that you can gain self-confidence and become a stronger person overall.

If you take a road trip to a national park or a camping site, then you can get a lot of exercise as you walk the trails and observe the wildlife. Movement and exercise are great ways to fight stress because not only will you feel better physically, but you will also have a chance to clear your thoughts, find solutions to your problems, and regain control of your mental state, all while enjoying the beautiful sights around you.

Since the point of your road trip is to improve your mental state, then it is a good idea to get out in nature for at least a portion of your road trip. When we are out around greenery, we can find ourselves in a more natural state away from the hustle and bustle of life, where we generally feel more at ease. Nature scenes can even affect and activate our parasympathetic nervous system, which is what helps us to calm down when we are feeling stressed.

Plan your road trip with all of these benefits in mind.

Consider A Solo Trip

This idea may be scary to many people at first, but you might do even more for your mental health by planning a solo vacation, where you pack up the car and drive alone to where the road takes you. This is a chance to set your own itinerary, do the things that you love, and really focus on yourself. Also, if you have a fear of being alone, then this is a chance to confront your fears and start a new, healthy chapter in your life.

Another reason why solo travel is great for your mental health is that it allows you to rebuild the self-trust that you may have lost over the years. When you are able to go out on your own and find new things to do, meet new people, and stay strong through it all, then those little wins will begin to add up, and soon you will regain your confidence and bring that mind frame back into your life once you return home.

If you are not completely comfortable with the idea of driving off and being alone the entire time, then create a compromise where you travel with other people, but you agree to have your own adventures along the way. By trying that tactic, you can still have that sense of self-discovery and give yourself time to think. If at the end of the day, you are feeling scared or stressed, then you can then talk to your trusted friends and reclaim your balance.

Travel Safely

While you should feel safe to take on new challenges, it is important that you do so safely or you could become stressed during your trip for all of the wrong reasons. Plan your itinerary appropriately so that you are not on the road during the most dangerous times of the day, which includes rush hour traffic between 4 PM and 6 PM and between 7 AM and 9 AM. That is when most cars are on the road, and even with defensive driving, you still increase your chances of getting into a car accident.

It is also important that you pack your car with the proper safety gear that can help you if you get in a pinch. Start by obtaining a first aid kit that should come complete with a bandages, necessary medication, and antibacterial wipes. It is also essential that you have a car jack and the tools required to change a tire if one goes out. Last but not least, pack bottled water and granola bars or other snacks that can last a long time. That way, you can stay fed and hydrated if a vehicle breakdown does occur.

Finally, before you leave for your trip, you must bring your car to a mechanic for an oil change, tire rotation, and brake check. You should also ensure that all of your fluids are filled to the proper level. Whenever you stop for fuel during your trip, check the tire pressure to ensure that they are filled to the proper limit and refill any necessary fluids. If you take these steps, then you have a good chance to stay safe and make your trip as stress-free as possible.

As you can see, a road trip can do wonders for your mental health. When you go, remember to stay safe, try new things, and allow yourself to explore, and you could return home with a new lease on life – and who doesn’t want that?

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Even those who do want to prioritize their mental well-being can sometimes have a difficult time doing so because of cost.

Mental health care can be expensive. Seeing a therapist or counselor regularly, or even trying to manage anxiety or depression through medication can quickly add up. If you’re on a budget, some of those solutions might not seem feasible.

However, there are ways to prioritize your mental health on a budget, so you can manage your stress levels, promote positive self-talk, and fight back against the symptoms of common mental health conditions every day.

Take Time Away

It’s not uncommon for the hustle and bustle of everyday life to become a source of stress. Routines can be comforting but getting away from the daily grind can make a big difference in your well-being.

Studies have shown that the anticipation and excitement of planning for a vacation can boost your mood. Plus, getting away from your everyday scenery and going somewhere new can bring mental health benefits like:

• An improved outlook on life
• A reduced risk of burnout
• Lower stress
• Reduced tension
• Feelings of calm and peace

Simply visualizing the things you’ll be able to experience on a vacation can improve your mental health. However, if you’re on a budget, taking time away might not seem like it’s in the cards anytime soon.

One of the best things you can do is to figure out ways to make your vacation dreams become a reality no matter your budget. Take a road trip instead of flying. Go on a weekend getaway instead of a two-week adventure across the country. Or take the time to budget strictly for your vacation and start a savings plan so you can add up your extra cash over a few months and go on the trip of a lifetime.

Find Everyday Ways to Practice Self-Care

Self-care has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years, but it’s just as relevant and important as ever. Self-care doesn’t have to be something extravagant or expensive. You don’t have to buy yourself a new car or even indulge in a luxurious spa day once a week.

Rather, finding little ways to prioritize yourself every day can end up making the biggest difference to your mental well-being. Some of the best forms of daily self-care include things like:

• Exercising
• Getting enough sleep
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Healthy eating
• Journaling

As long as you’re setting aside some time each day to do something you enjoy or something that relaxes you, that’s what matters. Self-care is a great way to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression, and even if you’re not struggling with your mental health it’s one of the best ways to keep things stable and boost your mood. The best part? As you can see, you don’t need a lot of money to take proper care of yourself each day.

Invest in Your Mental Health

If you find that you’re really struggling with your mental well-being, the best thing you can do is reach out for help. Conditions like anxiety and depression are more common than you might realize, and there are many different ways to manage and treat them. However, they don’t often go away on their own, and it can be hard to dig yourself out of them when you’re experiencing intense symptoms.

However, as stated above, working with a mental health professional can often be costly. If you truly want to invest in your mental wellness, consider starting investments to reach your financial goals.

You don’t have to have a lot of money to get started. It can help to work with an investment expert to set realistic goals and understand your risk tolerance. By setting up the right investments, you can see a return quickly and put that money back into your mental well-being.

If you’re not comfortable with investing, consider re-evaluating your current budget. Is there anything you might be able to cut out that you could reprioritize? Things like dining out, subscription plans, and “extras” can often be adjusted if you have greater needs. Your mental health should always be something you invest in, even if you have to sacrifice when it comes to your existing spending habits.

No matter your budget, your mental health doesn’t have to suffer. Keep these tips in mind to give your mental well-being a boost, and to make sure it remains a priority in your life. Don’t let your income keep you from taking care of yourself and getting the help you deserve.

Sometimes that may mean going to see a licensed therapist or getting a prescription for antidepressants. If you are hesitant to try drugs or you want to see if you can tackle depression through natural methods, then you have the opportunity to do so because there are many steps that you can try that don’t involve medication. However, we must emphasize that if you are currently taking medication, you should not suddenly stop taking it without first speaking to your medical provider.

Let’s talk about some of the most effective tips to overcome your depression naturally.

1. Stay in Touch

If you are feeling down and you are not sure where to turn, then consider going to family and friends. You don’t necessarily have to admit all of your depressive feelings to them, but by spending time with people that you love and appreciate, you can feel better overall.

Sometimes we just need a reminder that there are people who care about us, and by getting out there and doing something you enjoy, some of your troubles may begin to melt away.

2. Consider Relocating

Sometimes our feelings of depression are not because of a particular issue or person. Instead, it could be where you live that is making your situation worse. You may have been born in a specific place, but it doesn’t mean that you were meant to live there forever, especially if you aren’t happy. There can be many aspects of your town that may cause your anxiety, from constant noise of a fast-paced city to a lack of activity in small towns. Maybe the people that live there are causing you pain or triggering you in some way.

A move to a healthier environment may be the key. Some of the best places to live for your mental health include the suburbs or areas near a lake, where things are just a bit more relaxed, and you can be with your thoughts. If you think moving might be a good idea, but you need to be sure, then consider taking a long vacation and see if your negative feelings dissipate. If you’re already feeling terrible you don’t have anything to lose.

3. Exercise is Key

When we are depressed, we tend to want to lay under our covers and shield ourselves from the world, but in reality, getting up and exercising could be the answer. It has been proven that exercise can help to treat the symptoms of depression because activity can distract us from our thoughts. On top of that, when we feel and look better, we can also see a rise in our self-esteem. Finally, when we exercise, a chemical reaction takes place as our body releases endorphins that interact with the receptors in our brain which reduce our feelings of pain.

While this internal change may be a temporary feeling, 20 minutes of exercise every morning, combined with the other tips on this list, can give you the boost that you need.

4. Eat Right

While exercise is a major key to wellness, so is a healthy diet. Sometimes, if we eat a lot of bad foods, we start to feel sluggish and uninspired, and those feelings can quickly spiral out of control. Also, some people find comfort in food and become upset when they gain weight. To fight off these feelings, try to consume a healthy diet that consists of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. All of these foods will make you feel satisfied and energized without filling you with empty calories.

Also, try not to drink too much alcohol. If you get a buzz from drinking, you’ll soon realize that it is only temporary. If you drink often, you will actually feel more depressed and unfulfilled.

5. Set Goals

Sometimes we can feel upset in the now because we don’t believe that there is a better tomorrow — so one way to remedy these feelings is to create goals that you hope to accomplish in the future. Your goal can include anything from getting a new job to enrolling in school but make it realistic and something that you can work towards. When you have a plan for tomorrow, then you may suddenly wake up every morning with a feeling of purpose, and this newfound meaning in your life might be exactly what you may have been missing.

6. Talk to a Therapist

If you have done all your research and tried everything, but you still feel depressed, then it may be time to talk to a therapist. You don’t have to commit to anything. This is just a chance for you to speak your feelings and see what the expert recommends. That could be anything from breathing exercises to journaling your thoughts every night. Remember that there is nothing wrong with going to a psychiatrist. Many people have weekly meetings just so they can talk to someone and keep their feelings in check.

As you can see, there are many natural methods that can help you to overcome your depression naturally. You don’t have to try them all at once but consider doing what you can and see if you feel better. No matter what happens, remember that you are a unique and special person, and you deserve happiness.

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If you do suffer from GAD, then you should see a trusted medical professional who can get you the help you need and may refer you to therapists or offer other treatment options.

However, if you are unable to see a medical professional or feel as though you can overcome stress and anxiety yourself, then there are a few steps you can take to help you cope.

Understanding Stress

We’re living through a particularly stressful period, and thousands of people across the world are struggling to keep up. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly one-third of American adults are so stressed about the pandemic that they are unable to make basic decisions like what to have for lunch. These stress levels aren’t healthy and can lead to a range of conditions.

Chronic stress impacts your physical health in a few different ways. Typically, folks who suffer from chronic, or long-term, stress might develop issues with their skin and dental health and may develop bruxism as a result of grinding their teeth. You could also suffer from a weakened immune system, as your body is constantly running at a stressed level.

When you’re caught in a cycle of chronic stress, it can feel impossible to get out. This is because stress is largely cyclical: your stress levels end up being the root cause of your stress, which makes it difficult to break the chain of stress and stressing out. However, there are a few stress management strategies that may help you.

Stress Management Strategies

As with most mental health conditions, you should seriously consider speaking to a medical professional who can help you with medically accredited treatment options. But, in the meantime, you can consider making a few easy lifestyle changes to improve your ability to manage stress.

Some of the best stress-busting activities include increasing the amount of exercise you do and avoiding unhealthy habits like drinking alcohol or eating junk food. Living a healthier lifestyle feels great in the moment, and can improve your long-term health which, in turn, helps regulate your stress levels.

You should also consider reaching out to a few trusted friends and telling them about the stress you’re feeling and how it’s impacting your day-to-day life. This isn’t a replacement for therapy but verbalizing your struggles can help you start to process the root cause of your stress, and friends who know you’re struggling are more likely to reach out and support you during difficult periods.

Coping with Anxiety

Feeling anxious is entirely normal and is something that everyone experiences at some point in their lives — particularly in the lead-up to stressful events like interviews or exams. However, for some folks, anxiety goes a step further and becomes something called “Generalized Anxiety Disorder” (GAD).

GAD impacts people in different ways and may manifest itself in panic disorder, phobias, or social anxiety. Folks who have GAD feel anxious more days than they don’t feel anxious and have a hard time stopping anxiety or anxious thoughts — one worry is usually replaced by another.

Coping with GAD is difficult and is something that you shouldn’t try to do alone. You shouldn’t feel bad or embarrassed about seeing a therapist, as taking proactive steps to improve your GAD is good for your health and will improve your relationships with other people. A good therapist will work closely with you to learn about your anxiety and will help you build resilience over time.

You can also engage in a little self-help for GAD. Typically, self-help for those suffering from GAD involves making healthier lifestyle choices, as this can improve self-image and restore feelings of self-efficacy. Everyone is different, but you might consider exercising more frequently by joining an exercise club or by taking yourself on walks. You can also investigate getting a dog, which may improve your mental health and help manage anxiety.

Creating Resilience

Coping with anxiety and chronic stress looks different for everyone. That said, many folks who suffer from anxiety or chronic stress have a common goal: to become more resilient to stressors or anxiety.

Developing resiliency is a process that takes time. You can start to improve your resiliency by creating a safe space, where you feel comfortable and can calm yourself and potentially address the root causes of your stress and anxiety without feeling overwhelmed. If you live in the U.S. or U.K., you should consider asking your employer for a safe space, as you may qualify for accommodations.

You can also partake in common resilience-building activities like building a support network of trusted friends and getting enough sleep to ensure that you can focus during the day. You should also consider a change of scenery if you’ve been at home in the same spot for a long time and may benefit from a trip to somewhere new or a vacation that allows you to decompress.

Conclusion

There’s no single solution to chronic stress or anxiety that will magically make your symptoms disappear. However, you can take a proactive approach to coping with stress and anxiety by speaking with a medical professional who can help you with treatment options like therapy. You can also engage in healthier lifestyle habits and should consider leaning on a support network that can help you get out of a rut and maintain a more positive outlook on life.

Luckily, newer generations that are pushing for inclusivity, mindfulness, and all-around more ethical treatment of individuals are having an effect on body positivity as well. As such, we are starting to see views and mindsets change regarding weight and general body image and identity.

However, while we are moving in a better direction that teaches people to stop shaming someone for how they look or how much they weigh, true body positivity comes from within. It is not about how you look but how you feel. Your weight should not define you, whether you are fat or thin. There is nothing wrong with being either of these things, but genuinely loving who you are is about accepting the way you look and not basing your self-worth on how much you weigh.

Why Body Positivity is Important

Loving your body and appreciating what it does for you is a key element in developing a healthy body image. Having a positive and healthy image of yourself is important because how you view yourself plays a part in how you feel. People with poor body image tend to struggle with their mental health significantly more than those who are comfortable and happy in their bodies.

A recent survey from the Mental Health Foundation and YouGov shows that 13% of UK adults have admitted to having suicidal thoughts and feelings that were triggered by their poor body image. Similar studies in the U.S. have also shown an increase in suicidal ideation in those with poor body image, especially adolescents. Overall, experts have concluded that poor quality of life and psychological distress are associated with those who have higher body dissatisfaction.

Tips For Learning to Love Your Body and Boosting Your Self-Esteem

Of course, understanding that body positivity is crucial if you want to feel better about yourself is different than actually developing a healthy body image. For some, it can be challenging to change the way they see themselves after years of self-hatred and bad habits. It’s important to remember that it is a journey that requires taking it one step at a time.

No one expects you to change overnight, and you shouldn’t place such high expectations on yourself either. Three key elements in becoming more body positive are 1) learning how to develop your self-esteem, 2) embracing a positive attitude, and 3) cultivating emotional awareness.

The tips can help you on your path as you learn to build your self-esteem and develop a healthier body image:

1. Think happy thoughts

This might seem obvious or a little silly,but changing the way you think and learning to see the bright side of things is an essential part of boosting your self-esteem. It’s not always easy to control your thoughts, but the more you teach yourself to think happy thoughts, the more you will start to see yourself and your life in a positive light. Remind yourself every day about the good things that happened and the amazing things that your body can do.

2. Do what makes you feel good

Don’t force yourself to do something just because it’s what you think you should do or because it’s what others expect of you. Learning to love yourself and building self-esteem requires living a life that makes you happy, not others. This also means learning not to shame yourself when you don’t do something that someone else wanted you to do.

3. Surround yourself with positive people

Often, the people we interact with daily can influence how we feel about ourselves. If you have friends or family that make you feel bad about yourself, do not be afraid to limit your interactions with them or speak up and tell them how what they do or say makes you feel. This your life — just because someone is a friend or a family member does not mean you have to subject yourself to their negativity. Surrounding yourself with loving and supportive people is an important step to take when developing a healthy body image.

4. Change your doctor

Our doctors are supposed to help us feel better, not make us feel worse. Unfortunately, there are many people in the medical community who still have backward views and outdated ways of thinking. You should not be made to feel like all of your problems are because of your weight. Having a fat-friendly doctor can significantly improve your health and well-being because they will treat you like a human being that deserves care, rather than someone who should be treated differently because of their weight.

5. Develop healthy eating and exercise habits

This can be one of the hardest steps to take when learning to love your body and who you are. Food and exercise can be a trigger for many with poor body image. Your diet and exercise habits should not be the focus on your journey to developing body positivity but eating balanced meals and getting regular exercise are essential to regulating your mood and feeling better about yourself.

The important thing to remember when eating or exercising is that it’s not about the numbers. If you focus too much on dropping or gaining a ton of weight or how many calories you are consuming, it can make you feel worse when you don’t see immediate changes. Instead, focus on how certain foods and exercise make you feel. Don’t force yourself to do something or eat something just because you think it’s healthy or because you think you should.

Conclusion

Learning to love yourself and accepting your body is about changing your mind, not your body. You have to stop comparing yourself to others and shift your focus to yourself and what makes you think and feel good. The more you do things that make you happy and learn to see the positives in your life, the more you feel better in your own skin and love who you are.

Just remember that you don’t have to go through this journey alone. It’s okay to reach out and ask for help. Often talking about what we are feeling and what we are going through with someone else can help us better process our negative emotions.

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Going to college is often presented as being an important and positive life milestone. It can certainly be personally, professionally, and socially enriching. However, there isn’t enough acknowledgment of the fact that, for many students, navigating this time is psychologically and emotionally challenging. One recent study found 73% of college students have experienced an on-campus mental health crisis.

Student mental health challenges can take a variety of forms, from symptoms of acute depression or burnout to exacerbating chronic psychological conditions. When left unaddressed, the potential for disruption is significant, impacting your wellbeing, your studies, and your relationships.

So, let’s take a closer look at why mental health is so important for college students. Where are the specific challenges and what are some solutions?

Performance Stress

Some of the mental health difficulties you experience as a college student may revolve around the need to perform at a high level. The pressure related to academic performance can come from a variety of places. Parents may be pushing you to achieve. Not to mention that society links educational performance to career success and impresses this upon children from an early age. Schools, too, will often put pressure on students to perform as funding and reputation depend on results.

A little pressure occasionally can be a spur to productivity and innovation. But when this is applied relentlessly from multiple quarters, it can become a serious mental health concern. It might exacerbate existing mental wellness issues or trigger stress or anxiety-related illness. The need for time off due to this may see you falling behind in your studies, which adds more pressure to catch up. The result can be a cycle of stress which impacts your education and quality of life.

While the causes of pressure may be largely unavoidable, you do have a certain amount of control over your response to stress at school. Implement a range of effective stress management activities, like regular meditation and engaging in rigorous physical exercise. Look for support groups on campus, too. Sometimes sharing how you feel about pressure with others can be a release. It may also open you up to solutions you hadn’t previously considered.

Financial Pressure

One of the most significant stressors for many college students is their finances. In both the U.S. and the U.K., tuition can be extremely expensive. This, coupled with the rising cost of living can be a cause for stress, depression, and anxiety. Indeed, the need to take on work as well as study so you can maintain even a minimal quality of life can lead to burnout over time.

For most students, the only practical solution to tuition costs is taking a student loan. Sixty-six percent of graduates in the U.K. and more than 40% in the U.S. have had to borrow money to pay for their education. But this in itself can be a significant source of stress, too.

There’s the ever-present knowledge you’ll be paying back your loan for years after you graduate. You may be concerned about the prospect of your student loan debt negatively impacting your credit score. After all, if you miss payments or are slow in reducing the debt, this might disrupt your ability to get financing in other areas of your life. It’s no wonder these aspects can lead to a lot of stress.

Part of the solution here is to start budgeting sensibly for your costs of living early on. It’s not fun, but it can give you a realistic perspective of your finances and room to breathe. You may also find it helpful to talk to financial assistance advisors at your college. They can provide you with access to resources and may be able to offer advice regarding handling your loans following graduation.

Personal Expectations

You may find a potent source of mental strain while you’re at college can come from your own expectations. It’s not a bad thing to hold yourself to high standards. But when the achievement of ever loftier goals comes at the expense of your mental or emotional wellbeing, this becomes problematic behavior.

One of the problems students experience in this regard is burnout. It’s not unusual to shift essential rest and relaxation to the side because you feel you can keep studying and performing your part-time job to meet your personal expectations. However, by neglecting breaks you can become physically and mentally exhausted and experience illnesses. Not to mention that failing to live up to your high standards because you’ve burned out may impact your sense of self-esteem.

You need to take time away from your studies and work commitments occasionally. This can provide not just breathing room but also a chance to gain some perspective on your expectations. Be honest with yourself about what you can realistically achieve. Be kind about the idea you have mental and emotional needs that need to be respected. Establish safe spaces where you can decompress and assess difficult situations.

Alternatively, your expectations may be directed toward certain events. Exam anxiety negatively affects the mental health of many students. The personal pressure to score highly in this already stressful environment not only impacts your wellness but may also disrupt your focus. There are some methods to effectively reduce this experience, such as maintaining a healthy diet and sleep schedules. Even just taking the time to talk to other students about your feelings and expectations can lighten the load.

Conclusion

Your college experience can be positive, but there may also be experiences that aren’t so good for your mental wellness. It is vital to identify strategies and tools to address challenges such as financial stress and performance pressure. Not only can these elements help you to cope, but they influence your ability to navigate your education successfully. Be kind to yourself, though. Your education is valuable, but not as important as your mental wellbeing.

Your mental wellness is a valuable attribute. One approach to maintaining psychological and emotional health is by creating a safe space for yourself.

However, as with so many mental health-related concepts, there is a certain amount of uncertainty and stigma surrounding this practice. Rest assured it is not a sign of weakness to establish protections from the elements threatening your wellness.

We’re going to take a look at a handful of aspects you should bear in mind as you set about creating protected areas, mindsets, and moments for yourself.

Safety Definitions

Safety means something different for everyone. Before you can create an effective space for yourself, you first need to define safety for yourself. This involves examining the aspects of your life making you feel unsafe; mentally, emotionally, and physically. You may find this in itself triggering, so it may be wise to explore these elements with a friend, family member, or mental health professional.

Often, this is about recognizing the stimuli making you feel unsafe and how to move away from them. If you find the presence of a lot of people particularly stressful, an area of solitude may constitute a safe space. If you find background noise overwhelming, it may be enough to use noise-canceling headphones.

However, it could also be the case that safety for you is something less tangible. You might need to adopt measures to help you handle symptoms of anxiety or depression. Your safe space may need to be centered on mitigating your own negative thoughts about yourself. This is where it’s helpful to understand a safe space doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical area. It can be a meditative or mindfulness technique to help maintain a mindset.

By first understanding what safety requirements you have, you can make more informed decisions.

Healthy Environments

Even when your safe space is mental in nature, it can be helpful to identify physical spaces to support this. However, not everyone has the luxury of an entire room they can adapt to their needs. The good news is, even adjusting a corner of a room with components to make you feel safe when you need it can be effective. Think of what sights, sounds, and smells make you feel a little calmer and safer.

Whether you’re using a whole room or a portion of one, it’s important to make sure the area itself is conducive to mental and physical health. Common sources of indoor air pollution can impact your quality of life and your ability to maintain your mental wellbeing. Make sure the area is free of allergy-triggering dust and dander. Surround yourself with furnishings you find not just comforting but also made from non-toxic materials. The last thing you want is for your safe space to be hampered by unsafe elements.

Remember, your safe space doesn’t necessarily have to be indoors. Indeed, you may find aspects of your home or work buildings to be triggering in and of themselves. Identifying an area of natural beauty can give you some much-needed separation from stress as well as provide some fresh air. This might be your own backyard where you focus on meditative gardening or a local hiking trail — the choice is up to you.

Supportive Resources

An important element of creating a safe space is recognizing you don’t need to create it alone. You will often have the best insights into your condition and what mechanisms work for you, but you can reach out for resources to assist you in establishing a safer space.

This may include speaking to your employer about providing a private area for occasional use at your workplace. It’s not always easy to broach this subject and a lot of people are understandably defensive about the prospect of stigma in the workplace, but more employers are working to improve here. Indeed, under the Americans with Disabilities Act you may qualify for some accommodations for your condition. In the UK, the Equality Act of 2010 offers similar protections, especially under Parts 1 and 2. Both acts exist to ensure persons with disabilities have equal access to employment and services via reasonable accommodations.

It’s also important to look at what safe space tools are available to you in the community. If you’re a student and experiencing study-related stress or a mental health condition there is a range of resources provided by various organizations. You may find spending time with a confidential support group to be a valuable safe space to help you cope. There are also crisis text lines and online counseling services that can create a form of digital safe space for you too.

Maintaining Consistency

Once you’ve established a safe space or a range of mechanisms, you need to maintain it. As with any form of treatment or therapy, a safe space tends to be more effective if you commit to consistent use of it. This doesn’t mean you need to use it at the same time every day or even use it in the same way. Rather, it’s about consistent application and awareness of the elements to make it a safe space.

This is an important consideration because the unfamiliar or unexpected can add an additional layer of anxiety to your life and the situation. Your safe space should create a baseline of protection that allows you to apply your coping strategies or even explore your challenges effectively.

Nevertheless, consistency still gives you room to change if necessary. You should regularly review your safe space to establish whether it’s still serving your needs. This can empower you to gain more agency over your mental wellness and create safe spaces that are consistently appropriate to where you are in your life.

Conclusion

When you effectively create a safe space, you are building a powerful tool in handling the challenges of your mental wellness. However, it’s important to understand what constitutes safety before you can identify the right space. Wherever possible, create a healthy environment and utilize community resources should you need them. With consistent application and awareness of your condition, you can make a safe space that genuinely improves the quality of your life.