You must remove yourself from situations that triggers your mental health - this is a top-tier tip. How to do this? Know and Respect your boundaries. Then communicate them clearly and fairly. If anyone holds this against you long-term, it is doubtful it is you that is the issue.

Living courageously involves embracing life fully, even when faced with fear, uncertainty, or hardship. It means taking action despite your fears, standing up for what you believe in, and remaining authentic to your true self. Courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to act in spite of it. Here’s how to cultivate and live courageously in everyday life: 1. Face Your Fears Courage starts with recognizing and confronting your fears rather than avoiding them. Acknowledge Your Fears: Don’t deny or suppress your fears. Recognize them, but don’t let them control your decisions. When you face your fears head-on, you begin to dismantle their power over you. Take Small Steps: If a particular fear feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Start with the least intimidating aspects and gradually work your way toward facing larger challenges. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Fear is often fueled by negative thoughts and worst-case scenarios. Challenge these thoughts by asking yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and, more importantly, “How would I cope with it?” 2. Embrace Vulnerability Living courageously means being willing to be vulnerable, open, and honest, even when it feels uncomfortable. Be Authentic: It takes courage to be yourself, especially in a world that often encourages conformity. Embrace your unique qualities, passions, and values, even if they don’t align with others’ expectations. Share Your Truth: Vulnerability involves being open about your thoughts, feelings, and struggles. When you share your true self with others, you build deeper connections and gain the strength to move forward. Accept Imperfection: Vulnerability also means accepting that you won’t always have the answers or get things right. It’s about being okay with imperfection and understanding that growth comes from learning and trying again. 3. Take Risks and Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Living courageously often requires taking risks, whether in your personal life, career, or relationships.

When on the path of recovery, especially during the early stages. It is important to try and avoid high-risk situations. Ex: High-risk situations are events and actions that trigger behaviours, feelings, or thoughts. That are considered unproductive, or unhealthy. Nothing to be ashamed of, when creating a space that facilitates your growth. You cannot expect yourself to be resilient, or tackle difficult situations if you are in 'fight or flight'. Try to identify your triggers, and avoid them early on in recovery - if you have a support circle, share it with them also. When you have given yourself time to build, you can start to tackle certain triggers, specifically the ones that you know are holding you back. ***Remember! You do not have to do this solo - no shame in getting professional help or aid from a close friend/family member.

Ex: Mental toughness, simply put, is your ability to respond well when faced with challenging events. Ex: Resilience is your ability to adapt when encountering stressors or difficult events. With the two descriptions provided, you can see how closely linked the two are; now it is important to stress that 'responding well' has a wide meaning [a.k.a. there is no cookie cutter for what is deemed "good"]. However, there are reactions that can be considered negative, and not beneficial. This is why I enjoy reflection and mindfulness. the practice promotes one to navigate life in a manner that champions your welfare. What kind of exercises do you do to help promote resilience?

Action Mental Health (AMH) promotes the mental health and well-being of people in Northern Ireland. https://www.amh.org.uk/ AMH offers; Development Programmes Social and Recreational Activities Counselling Employment Support Eating Disorder Awareness and more. If you are living in NI, reach out to Action Mental Health and see if they are a good match for you.