{"id":14230,"date":"2020-03-27T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/potomacprograms.com\/?p=14230"},"modified":"2024-02-27T13:55:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T20:55:22","slug":"caring-for-your-mental-health-after-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embarkbh.com\/blog\/alumni\/caring-for-your-mental-health-after-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay Strong: 7 Ways To Maintain Mental Strength After Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Once your teen completes mental health<\/a> or substance use treatment<\/a> such as an intensive outpatient program or short-term residential treatment<\/a>, it\u2019s important that they maintain the mental strength they\u2019ve built up so they can continue their healing process. To help them along, share this blog post, which has seven tips for the next phase of their well-being journey.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After working so hard on your mental health in a treatment program, it\u2019s important you take care of yourself. Because your emotional well-being is so crucial to every aspect of your life, including your physical health, your relationships with others, your ability to perform well at work or school, and your overall happiness, you need to take steps to keep the mental strength you found when you began your journey of healing and recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are seven tips to help you continue that wellness journey and what to do if you\u2019re struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Follow Your Doctor or Therapist\u2019s Recommendations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From attending individual, group, or family therapy sessions \u2014 or a combination of those options \u2014 to taking prescribed medication to help manage a mental illness, follow your continuing-care plan. You may have also been advised to make specific changes, such as decreasing your work hours to reduce your stress levels and avoid burnout or joining a club at school so you can connect with peers in a fun setting. Acting on your provider\u2019s recommendations will help you stay on track with your recovery and increasingly build mental strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Get a Good Night\u2019s Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to a Psychology Today article<\/a>, sleep is critical to your well-being because during sleep, your body and brain repair themselves, which boosts your immune system \u2014 a system that is closely tied to mental health. This improves your stress<\/a> response and ultimately helps regulate emotions. So, how much sleep should you get? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> recommends that teens ages 13-18 get eight to 10 hours of sleep per night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Eat Healthy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eating healthy foods is a great daily habit and is especially important when you\u2019re taking care of your mental health. In fact, healthy ways of eating, such as the Mediterranean diet, are associated with better mental health than unhealthy ways of eating, according to research published in The BMJ<\/a>. Dr. Mark Hyman<\/a>, a family physician and functional medicine advocate, recommends a primarily whole food, plant-based diet with unprocessed proteins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Exercise Regularly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the CDC, exercise helps children<\/a> regulate body weight and reduce body fat; improves attention and memory; and reduces the risk of depression. This means you can work out your physical strength and mental muscles at the same time. The CDC recommends children ages 6-17 exercise at least one hour each day<\/a>, with most of that time spent on aerobic activities like walking and running. Muscle-strengthening activities such as pushup reps and bone-strengthening activities such as jumping are also recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Practice Self-Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the National Institute of Mental Health<\/a> shares, self-care can help you maintain your mental health and support your recovery process. NIMH offers several tips to get you started. For example, you could try a relaxing activity, such as meditation or journaling; use goal setting and prioritization to determine what has to get done now and what can wait until later; and practice gratitude by reminding yourself each day of specific things you\u2019re grateful for, perhaps by writing them down. If you opt for meditation and need help getting started, several podcasts and apps are available. Check out Verywell Mind\u2019s picks for the best meditation podcasts<\/a> and the best meditation apps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Maintain Your Support Network<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>, studies have shown that social support networks<\/a> have benefits including improving your ability to deal with stressful situations<\/a>; promoting good mental health; enhancing your self-esteem; and helping you stick to a treatment plan. Your network may include family<\/a>, friends, teachers, neighbors, therapists, and spiritual leaders. Keep in touch with these key people in your life. Spend time with them, and reach out when you need support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Check In With Yourself During Difficult Situations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes difficult situations happen that are out of your control and that test your mental strength, such as losing someone close to you or a divorce in your family. When these stressful life events result in uncomfortable emotions, you need to check in with yourself every day. Ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n