Maintaining good mental health is a worthy goal, and there are probably a lot of resources near you that can assist with your success. The process starts with you, though. Self-awareness is a key factor in how well you overcome many of the symptoms of common mental health issues. 

Pinpoint the Threat

Anxious or worried feelings can be stressful, but not all situations warrant the same response. To assess the level of threat correctly, ask yourself a few key questions:

• Are you responding to an actual event that will occur or has occurred?
• If so, what aspects of the situation can you control?
• If not, is it possible that the problem will not occur?
• What is the best possible outcome?
• What is the worst possible outcome?

While it may be helpful to run through these questions in your mind, it is easier to develop long-term coping strategies if you can see them in writing. Jot down your answers with as many details as you can. Then read through them again. Seeing the issue laid out in black and white increases your awareness of not only the situation but also your response to it.

Confront the Emotions

If some external stimulus is causing you stress, there are likely aspects of the issue that are outside your control, but chances are good that there are some things that you can address to alleviate some of the worry you are feeling. First, however, you must acknowledge what you are feeling. The purpose of recognizing your emotions is not to make you feel guilty or bad about them but rather to accept them. Some experts even recommend setting aside a specific amount of time per day to embrace and experience your worrisome thoughts.

It's also important to engage in a few assessment techniques. For example, is your worry based on unreasonable expectations of yourself or others? Are you stuck in an unhelpful social comparison loop? Identifying such factors that unnecessarily exacerbate your stress can help you work through it.

Use Physical Recovery Techniques

While stress and worry are often used interchangeably, they aren't necessarily the same. Stress is a response to external events, whereas worry can be your own internal dialogue about either real or imagined stimuli. What they often have in common, though, is that their effects can be partially alleviated by regular practice of self-care. Paying attention to the specific recovery techniques that work best for you can help you manage these feelings more successfully.

Your mental and physical well-being are inherently linked, so it makes sense that habits such as regular exercise and a balanced diet will also help you process what's going on in your mind. That's why some people find it so refreshing to take a brisk walk when they get home from a particularly harrowing day. Others focus on getting good nutrition so they are equipped with adequate energy. Many people also find relief by limiting caffeine and sugar, as both of these substances can intensify the effects of stress. While there's certainly no harm in embracing all of these good habits, prioritize the one that seems to help the most for more immediate results. 

Make a Plan

If there is a particular stressor that you are worried about, it may help to make a concrete plan to address it. This can be especially empowering if your level of self-awareness allows you to predict the stress response as it's beginning. For example, many people learn to recognize when a panic attack is starting, and even a short warning gives them a chance to get to a place where they can more effectively deal with it. 

If you experience chronic stress, it's a good idea to talk through it with a professional. The more self-awareness you can bring to your sessions, however, the more fruitful they're likely to be.