1. Take responsibility and release blame from others

People hurt people. People make mistakes. Sometimes these things are going to negatively affect you, but the best thing you can do for your mental health is to learn to move beyond these hurts and focus on what you can change for yourself.

Whether it be home life, in your job or with your family of orgin–you can influence others, you but you cannot change them. Don’t wait around for others to make a change. Take initiative and make the changes that you need to for your well being. Often times when you focus on yourself and make improvements, those around you see it and want to follow suit.

Even if you find yourself in a difficult situation, one where some of your choices are limited, you still have the ability to choose, so don’t take that power away from yourself by blaming someone else for your circumstances. Embrace your ability to change and focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.

2. Embrace the uniqueness and beauty of your own life

Your life is beautiful and unique. It will never look like the lives of those around you. There will always be elements of your life that stand out and for which you stand apart from others. Stop comparing, but rather choose to celebrate these differences. When you embrace your life as unique and beautiful, full of your own individualized experiences and opportunities for growth, your mental health will flourish. Take a sincere look at your talents and blessings and you will appreciate them, as well as continue to develop more. Instead of comparing, appreciate the unique aspects of your life and look for opportunities to grow. While doing so, you will also be able to value the lives of others and the unique gifts they have to offer, while no longer degrading your own.

Some studies have looked at the harmful affects of social media. One of the greatest dangers researchers found in terms of mental health and increased depressive symptoms was in those individuals who continually compared themselves to the lives they see on social media. Firstly, they compared an ideal, filtered life, with their own, messy, insider view of their life. Secondly, they morn not living a life that is not their own. Change these two behaviors and you will change your outlook on life. If you find you can’t do so in your present circumstances, than change your circumstances. That may mean taking a break from social media or being more careful in how you use it. Two things you can immediately and effectively do!

3. Always be willing to learn from others

You are surrounded by individuals with knowledge and experience different from your own. They likely have some great things they could add to your knowledge base. Be willing to take advantage of this. This is hardest with someone you conflict with, however, when conflicts arise this is when you have the greatest potential to learn and expand your horizons.

If you consistently insist that you are right in all situations, you are severely limiting your ability to grow. You will not broaden your perspective if you adhere so closely to your own beliefs that you are unable to entertain the opinions, beliefs or mindsets of others. Your mindset, beliefs or opinions will not always be correct. Individuals who embrace growth also embrace new ideas and further knowledge beyond the knowledge they currently posses. The great minds that have lived through time have been experts at learning from others as well as themselves.

Close-mindedness is particularly harmful when the ideas you adhere to are incorrect, and this is doubly true with mental health. For example, if you are so intent on your own belief concerning what will or won’t help your mental health that you won’t try other options, your growth will either stagnate or possibly even further decline. I recently read a negative book review of a book full of truthful principles in creating change, and the reviewer adamantly opposed the many principles outlined. This reviewer did not want to change and so she excused truthful ideas from others that most likely would have helped her. You are doing the same if you move forward in your life with a closed mind. So open your mind and be willing to expand your horizons. Regularly look for how you can find truth in opposing views and ideas you had not previously considered.