Why We Sometimes Get Used to Things That Are Not Good for Us
Sometimes, what is unhealthy becomes so familiar that we stop recognising it as unhealthy.We get used to being constantly stressed.We get used to being tired.We get used to avoiding difficult conversations.We get used to saying, “That is just how things are.”And eventually, we mistake familiarity for normality.
The Mind Can Adapt
When something continues for long enough, we can learn to function around it.
You may still go to work.
Still meet your responsibilities.
Still show up for everyone else.
But functioning does not always mean you are doing well.
Emotional exhaustion can become your everyday experience. Constant stress can start feeling normal. Disconnection can become easier than dealing with what you feel.
That does not mean you should simply accept it.
Ask Yourself a Different Question
Instead of asking:“Can I handle this?”
Ask:“Is this actually good for me?”
There is a difference.Being able to cope with something does not necessarily mean it is healthy to continue living with it.Pay attention to what your mind and body may be telling you.
Your Mental Health Deserves Attention
You do not have to wait until you reach a breaking point to take your wellbeing seriously.
If you have been feeling emotionally exhausted, constantly overwhelmed or unlike yourself for some time, talking to a mental health professional can help you understand what may be happening.
You can start by asking for help.
At One Mind Clinic in Nairobi, Dr Emmanuel Amadi provides professional psychiatric assessment and mental health care.