Recognizing when you are low on mental wellness can be challenging, but several signs can indicate that your mental health may need attention. Here are some common symptoms that may suggest you’re struggling with mental wellness:

1. Chronic Stress and Anxiety

• Feeling overwhelmed frequently: Small tasks seem monumental, and you feel like you can’t cope.
• Persistent worry: You’re constantly worrying about the future, even about things beyond your control.
• Physical symptoms: Tightness in your chest, headaches, or digestive issues linked to stress.

2. Emotional Changes

• Mood swings: You may experience sudden or unexplainable changes in mood, from anger to sadness.
• Persistent sadness or irritability: If you find it difficult to feel joy or experience extended periods of sadness, frustration, or irritability.
• Loss of motivation: Things you used to enjoy or care about now seem uninteresting or exhausting.

3. Cognitive Difficulties

• Difficulty focusing: You struggle to concentrate, are forgetful, or find it hard to complete tasks.
• Negative thought patterns: Constantly thinking negatively about yourself or others, leading to a sense of hopelessness or despair.

4. Sleep Problems

• Trouble falling or staying asleep: Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or waking up frequently during the night.
• Oversleeping: On the opposite end, you may feel exhausted all the time and oversleep, but still feel fatigued.
• Unrefreshing sleep: Even after a full night of sleep, you wake up feeling tired and drained.

5. Physical Symptoms

• Fatigue: You feel tired all the time, even after rest.
• Frequent illness: Constant stress can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to colds or other illnesses.
• Muscle tension or headaches: Your body may hold onto stress, leading to chronic pain, tightness, or headaches.

6. Social Withdrawal

• Avoiding social interactions: You may avoid seeing friends or family, cancel plans, or isolate yourself from people.
• Feelings of loneliness: Despite being around people, you feel disconnected, lonely, or unimportant.

7. Changes in Appetite or Weight

• Eating too much or too little: Emotional stress can lead to changes in eating habits. You may either overeat for comfort or lose your appetite entirely.
• Weight fluctuations: Unintentional weight loss or gain may be a sign of underlying mental health struggles.

8. Increased Substance Use

• Turning to alcohol, drugs, or other vices: You may rely on substances to numb emotions or cope with stress.

9. Difficulty Handling Responsibilities

• Struggling to meet work or personal obligations: You may procrastinate more, miss deadlines, or find it difficult to manage day-to-day responsibilities.
• Neglecting self-care: You find it hard to keep up with personal hygiene, exercise, or proper nutrition.

10. Sense of Hopelessness

• Feeling like things won’t get better: If you feel trapped in your current situation and can’t see a way forward, it can indicate low mental wellness.
• Thoughts of giving up: In more severe cases, you might experience feelings of worthlessness or contemplate escaping from your current circumstances.

What Can You Do?

If you recognize any of these signs, it’s important to take proactive steps to improve your mental wellness:

1. Talk to someone you trust (family, friends, or a therapist).
2. Engage in self-care practices such as exercise, proper sleep, meditation, and healthy eating.
3. Seek professional help if needed; mental health professionals can provide support and coping strategies.

Addressing your mental wellness early can help prevent these issues from becoming more serious and improve your overall quality of life.