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Depression: The Imbalance Between Your Real Self and Perceived Self: How to Achieve Balance

The Imbalance Between Your Real Self and Perceived Self: How to Achieve Balance

Do you ever feel like the person you present to the world is not the real you? Do you feel like you’re living a lie or wearing a mask? If so, you’re not alone. Many people experience an imbalance between their real self and perceived self. In this blog post, we’ll explore what this imbalance is, why it happens, and how you can achieve balance between your real and perceived selves.

What is the Imbalance Between Your Real Self and Perceived Self?

Your real self is who you are at your core, including your personality, values, beliefs, and interests. Your perceived self is the version of yourself that you present to the world, including the image you project and the way you behave around others. When there is an imbalance between your real self and perceived self, it means that the person you present to the world is not an accurate reflection of who you really are.

Why Does the Imbalance Happen?

There are several reasons why the imbalance between your real self and perceived self can happen:

  • Low self-esteem: When you don’t feel good about yourself, you may present a false image to the world to gain acceptance or approval.
  • Social pressure: Society has certain expectations about how we should behave and present ourselves, which can lead to us presenting a false image to fit in.
  • Fear of rejection: You may present a false image to avoid being rejected or judged by others.
  • Lack of self-awareness: You may not be aware of your true self, which can lead to presenting a false image to the world.

How to Achieve Balance Between Your Real and Perceived Selves

It’s important to achieve balance between your real and perceived selves to live a fulfilling life. Here are some steps you can take to achieve this balance:

  • Practice self-reflection: Take time to reflect on who you really are, including your personality, values, beliefs, and interests. This will help you become more self-aware and identify areas where there may be an imbalance.
  • Identify your triggers: Identify the situations or people that trigger you to present a false image. This will help you become more conscious of your behaviors and actions.
  • Practice self-acceptance: Accepting yourself for who you are can help you build self-confidence and reduce the need to present a false image to the world.
  • Be authentic: Practice being authentic in your interactions with others. This means being true to yourself and expressing your true thoughts and feelings.
  • Seek support: If you’re struggling to achieve balance between your real and perceived selves, seek support from a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.

Conclusion

The imbalance between your real self and perceived self can be a challenging experience. But by practicing self-reflection, identifying your triggers, practicing self-acceptance, being authentic, and seeking support, you can achieve balance between your real and perceived selves. Remember, the most important thing is to be true to yourself and live a life that aligns with your values and beliefs.

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The Significance of Goal Setting for Mental Well-being

The Significance of Goal Setting for Mental Well-being

Goal setting is a potent tool for enhancing mental well-being. By setting goals, you can develop a sense of direction and purpose in your life. You become more motivated to take action and bring positive changes. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of goal setting for mental health and how you can use it to improve your well-being.

Why Goal Setting is Crucial for Mental Health

Goals give us a sense of purpose and direction. They create a roadmap for us, and we have something to work towards. This gives us a sense of control over our lives, which can enhance our mental health. Goals also help us stay motivated, especially when we face challenges or setbacks. When we have a clear goal in mind, we are more likely to persist and overcome obstacles.

Setting goals can also improve our self-esteem. Accomplishing a goal, no matter how small, gives us a sense of achievement. This can boost our confidence and make us feel good about ourselves. Goals also give us a sense of progress. When we see that we are making progress towards our goals, we feel satisfied and fulfilled.

The Different Types of Goals

There are two types of goals: long-term goals and short-term goals. Long-term goals take longer to achieve, such as buying a house, getting a degree, or starting a business. Short-term goals, on the other hand, can be achieved in a shorter period, such as making your bed every morning, going for a walk, or reading a book. Both types of goals are essential for mental health, as they give us something to work towards and a sense of accomplishment.

Goals can be activity-based, such as exercising for 30 minutes every day, or work-based, such as completing a project by a certain deadline. The key is to choose goals that are meaningful to you and that will incrementally improve your life a little every day.

How to Set Goals

When setting goals, it’s essential to be specific and realistic. Vague or unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and disappointment. Instead, break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, start by running a mile every day and gradually increase your distance over time.

It’s also important to track your progress. This can help you stay motivated and see how far you’ve come. Keep a journal or use a goal-tracking app to record your progress and celebrate your achievements.

Conclusion

Goal setting is a powerful tool for improving your mental health. It gives you a sense of direction and purpose, improves your self-esteem, and helps you stay motivated. Whether your goals are long-term or short-term, activity-based or work-based, the key is to choose goals that are meaningful to you and that will improve your life in some way. So start setting goals today and experience the benefits for your mental health and overall well-goal setting, mental health, purpose, direction, motivation, positive changes, challenges, setbacks, sense of control, self-esteem, achievement, progress, long-term goals, short-term goals, activity-based goals, work-based goals, specific, realistic, achievable, steps, track progress, journal, goal-tracking app, benefits, overall well-being..

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The Effect of Exams on Mental Health and Ways to Cope

Exams can be a source of stress and anxiety for students, leading to negative impacts on their mental health. In this article, we’ll explore the impact of exams on mental health and discuss some coping strategies that students can use to manage their stress levels.

The Impact of Exams on Mental Health: According to a survey by the British Psychological Society, over 61% of students reported feeling overwhelmed during exam season. This pressure to perform well can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, and nausea, which can further exacerbate stress levels.

Coping Strategies: To cope with exam-related stress, there are several strategies that students can employ. Here are some examples:

  1. Take Regular Breaks: Taking regular breaks can help reduce stress levels and increase productivity. Research has shown that short breaks can improve concentration and retention of information. During these breaks, students can engage in activities that they enjoy, such as listening to music or going for a walk.
  2. Prioritise Self-Care Activities: Prioritising self-care activities such as exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep can also help students manage their stress levels. Exercise has been shown to be an effective stress-reliever, and can also improve cognitive function. Eating a healthy and balanced diet can provide the necessary nutrients to support mental health, while getting enough sleep can improve mood, concentration, and memory.
  3. Seek Support from Friends and Family: Seeking support from friends and family can also be beneficial for students during exam season. Talking to someone can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of connection and support. It’s important for students to recognise that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and resilience.

Long-Term Mental Health Strategies: In addition to these short-term strategies, students should also develop long-term mental health strategies. Here are some examples:

  1. Prioritise Self-Care Activities: Prioritising self-care activities like exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep is essential. These activities can help students build resilience and manage stress levels over the long term.
  2. Seek Professional Help: Seeking professional help from a therapist or counsellor can also be helpful in managing stress levels and improving overall mental health. Mental health professionals can provide strategies to cope with stress, develop problem-solving skills, and improve resilience.

In conclusion, exams can have a significant impact on mental health, leading to increased levels of stress and anxiety. However, by employing coping strategies like taking regular breaks, prioritising self-care activities, and seeking support from friends and family, students can manage their stress levels and improve their mental health. Additionally, students should prioritise long-term mental health strategies like prioritising self-care activities and seeking professional help when necessary. By taking proactive steps to manage their mental health, students can improve their academic performance and overall well-being.