Let’s face it, life can be stressful. No matter whether you are a homemaker, doctor, warehouse worker, or the CEO of a large company, your life can get to you sometimes. And when it gets to you, it is important to know what you can do to relax. Whether you like to meditate, practice yoga, have a self-help routine, or just take a nap, doing something to help you relax is not just important to your mental health but it will make you more productive at work as well. But what if you don’t have a “go-to” solution to help you with stress or anxiety? Well, there are some things you can do that you may not have considered.
Group Therapy
You may not feel comfortable talking to your friends or family about your anxiety for many reasons. You may be embarrassed, don’t want them to worry, or maybe you just want an impartial listener who doesn’t know you. And if you are not ready to see a therapist or do not think you need one, group therapy can be a lifesaver. Going to group therapy in person may be difficult for some people though. Either you are too busy, too shy, or cannot find one in your area, it can be a better idea to try online group therapy.
Benefits of Online Support Groups
For one thing, online therapy is more readily available to you no matter where you live or how much time you may have. A lot of online support groups are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and you can just get online and “talk” to whoever is available at the time. Without a set time or appointment, you may not know who will be on there when you need to talk, but it is nice to know that the online group is available at all times. For example, if you are having a panic attack at midnight and cannot sleep, login to your group and talk about it. Chances are pretty good that there will be someone there to talk to.
Easier to Remain Anonymous
Also, online support groups are easier for those who have trouble talking about their feelings or people with social anxiety or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because they may not be able to be around other people. With online groups, you may feel more comfortable because those in the group cannot see or hear you. Even those without social anxiety or PTSD sometimes feel more comfortable sharing their feelings and thoughts when they can remain anonymous. BetterHelp has many different support group options no matter what type of issues you may be having.
Talking to a Professional
Although support groups may be good for some, if you need to talk to a professional or get some real advice, you should contact a therapist or counselor. If you do not have one in your area, do not have the time, or do not want to wait several weeks or months for an appointment, you can try online therapy. This is similar to online group therapy, but it is just you and the therapist. With support groups there are no therapists or professionals, just others like you who are looking for support. Your mental health is important, so make sure you get help if you need it.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.