Life is full of ups and downs and it’s a big ask to always feel happy. Unfortunately, there are times in our life when stressors or negative events seem to outweigh the good.

When we deal with life altering or traumatic events, such as the loss of a loved one, grief and depression are normal, expected responses. Other times however, our mental health can begin to decline for not so obvious reasons. 

Our warning signs are unique and can be subtle. I had one client who loved to garden. Her cue that she wasn’t doing as well as she thought, was when she didn’t take the time to water her plants. Another client of mine who struggled with substance use, knew that he was showing warning signs when he would reach out to his ex-partner. 

Our moods can fluctuate due to various factors, and it’s important to acknowledge and understand these changes. Figuring out your warning signs is a good way to help you stay on track with your mental health goals and in validating your experiences. 

How to figure out your warning signs:

What I have noticed and learned from my studies, is when we are struggling, we typically do the opposite of our “normal,” or unreasonably indulge in the things we like to do. 

Take a moment to ask yourself, journal, or write down in list format the things you do when you’re at your best. This may include cooking, working out, listening to a podcast, spending time with friends or family, making your bed, going outside, and so on. 

Next, take inventory of your “normal” emotional stance when you are doing well – are you typically goofy, serious, calm, or energized? 

Creating awareness of what it looks like when we’re doing well, can help give us insight when we’re not doing well. For someone that is social, this may mean isolating. For someone that is confident, they may feel more insecure. For someone that keeps their house clean, you may let your dishes pile up. 

When we notice we are not doing well, the easiest thing to do is to do the thing you don’t want to do! 

Having both good and bad days are normal. The first day you feel “off” isn’t a sign that something is wrong, but when we begin to get in these habits, it’s time to cue in to what is going on. I enjoy the quote by Adam Braun that says, “I realized that even big waves start with small ripples.”