We all feel overwhelmed, tired, and stressed out every once in a while. But how do you know when it’s time to reach out and talk to a mental health professional?

In truth, there’s no “optimal” time to look for mental health help — everyone can benefit from honoring their mental health and learning how best to cope with the world around them, even if they aren’t going through something especially difficult at that very moment. However, there are definitely instances in which it’s an especially good idea to seek help and talk to a licensed therapist. These mental health professionals are specifically trained to help you confront those issues in a healthy manner and recognize when more treatment is necessary, all with the ultimate goal of getting you to a better head space.

Some telltale signs that it may be time to seek help include not wanting to get out of bed, oversleeping, or feeling hopeless and overwhelmed, especially to the point where you’re feeling paralyzed by all of the stress and pressures that are on you. You might feel depressed and burnt out, frequently cry, lack an appetite, and have a hard time finding the motivation to do anything (even hobbies and fun activities that you would otherwise really enjoy.) Coping with stress in unhealthy ways is also a major sign that you should look for support. This can look like many different things, some of the most common being issues like substance abuse, lashing out inappropriately at the people around you, or participating in self-destructing behaviors. You should also definitely seek help if you find that you aren’t in control of your emotions and can’t regulate them as well as you should.

Finally, the biggest red flag that it may be time to seek help is that no other coping mechanisms are working. You’ve tried exercising, meditation, deep breathing practices, taking stress-fighting supplements like Cerenity, and yet, you are still struggling. If this is the case for you, it’s a good sign that right now is a good time to reach out and get help.

Remember, mental health is a highly nuanced and multifaceted issue. This often means that it requires several different methods of addressing it in order to thrive, from basic lifestyle changes to help from a mental professional [1]. Any time is a good time to work on your mental and emotional health so that you can become the best you that you can be. But knowing when to recognize these symptoms can help you stay proactive, prevent burnout, and deal with all of the stressful situations that may be presented to you.

Please, reach out to us if you need help. We are here to help you and guide you.

Research / Support Links:

• [1] https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-and-heart-health