Backstage, behind the glitz and glamour, the fashion industry isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It’s more demanding than any other industry. You need to be agile and think out of the box at all times. If you’re driven to pursue a career, you have your work cut out for you. Mingling with other professionals and attending big events isn’t enough to get ahead.  You have to work hard to make your dreams come true. You can procrastinate, but do it productively. The right look, connections, and shows will only take you so far. 

Whether you’re a designer or a model, you must take good care of your mental health. Mental health issues don’t discriminate. They affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. The pressures faced in the fashion industry can lead to insecurities, depression, and anxiety. There's little assistance available in the fashion industry for addressing mental health problems, unfortunately. It’s important to address the dangers of untreated mental conditions and not suffer in silence. Negative experiences have an enduring impact on your mental health. When the spotlight fades, everything goes dark.

Tip Tips for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Avoid Mistakes Previously Made by Others

It's a good idea to learn from the past. The only way to grow is to learn from mistakes. Without this, there won't be any knowledge. Even if learning from your own mistakes is useful, it's more helpful to leverage other people's experience. Your own failures are limited. A great example is Bella Hadid, who used to feel guilty about suffering from depression. The supermodel admitted battling anxiety and depression. She also suffered from extreme burnout. Many important names in the fashion industry have gone through mental health issues, so hear out their stories. 

Not only should you be aware of the utility of mistakes and failure, but also actively seek improvement. You don’t want to run the risk of repeating them. In other words, you have to develop wisdom and make good choices. Good or bad, experiences help you get a better sense of judgement. Avoidance isn’t a go-to solution. Avoiding rather than solving a problem simply eliminates the immediate contact with it. Robust mental health requires facing your demons, not running away from them. Through awareness and understanding, you become aware of your actions. 

Exercise And Diet Are Very Important

Exercising on a regular basic can have a profound positive effect on reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods in general. When you work out, the body releases chemicals called endorphins. They trigger a positive feeling in the body, much like morphine. According to the experts, endorphins play a small part. There are many other ways exercise makes you happy. For instance, exercise reduces stress levels, improving the quality of your life, both physically and mentally. Physical activity enhances the body’s ability to use oxygen and improves blood flow, which has a direct impact on your brain. 

Now, let’s talk about diet. Models and designers alike have low-fat, low-calorie diets. There’s the pressure to be skinny. The good news is that the fashion industry is slowly but surely moving away from slimness. Still, we’re just learning how to eat right. If you have no idea where to start, we have some suggestions. What you eat is strongly connected to how you feel. Eat on a regular basis and select foods that release energy slowly. Instead of eating a large lunch and dinner, try to eat smaller portions. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, along with nuts, seeds, and legumes. 

Seek A Therapist’s Assistance 

You can handle life’s challenges in a healthier and more productive way. If you’re brave enough to seek help through therapy and counselling, you’ll be A-OK. You’ll learn more about yourself, acquire new skills, and manage pressure effectively. Therapy and counselling can improve symptoms of many mental health conditions. Medication can turn out to be helpful, but a therapist teaches you how to address the symptoms on your own. You can take on the challenges and stressors associated with life. The therapist is a supportive party; they listen to you, offer guidance, and teach you skills tailored to your needs. 

Asking for help is a sign of strength. There’s no shame in admitting you can’t do everything on your own. Regrettably, our culture tries to convince us of the opposite. Tempting as it may be to go at it alone, you should seek therapy and counselling. Early intervention is best, especially when it comes down to mental health issues. It doesn’t matter if you’re experiencing depression or anxiety, find the courage to ask for help. Pretending that everything is okay will only make things worse. Don’t ignore your pain or suppress your emotions.

Allow Yourself Time Away from Social Media

Social media is an important part of modern-day life and there’s no doubt that it has many positives to it. But it’s associated with depression, anxiety, and fear of missing out. Let's not forget about cyberbullying and trolls. With the increasing number of suicides, something needs to be done. If you want change to happen, start with yourself. Step away from social media for a while. It’s time to direct your attention elsewhere. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram aren’t fun and enjoyable anymore. 

There’s no right or wrong period to spend off social media. So, it’s up to you to decide. See how many social media apps you have on your phone and delete them. Don’t make any concessions. This way, you’ll quickly snap back into reality and focus your attention elsewhere. Most importantly, let friends and family know you’re taking a break from social media. If they need to reach out to you, they’ll be in for a surprise. Needless to say, you can find better distractions. You can listen to audiobooks, get involved in a creative project, or clean out your closet. 

Finally, yet importantly, due your due diligence when it comes to mental health. Nurturing your mental health doesn’t only improve your daily functioning, but also it helps you control and combat physical health problems. 

Cynthia Madison

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