Life’s a breeze when we’re young. There’s just too much to see, do, and explore to have any time to worry. Wouldn’t it be great to have that same mentality as a young adult? What happens to our gung-ho spirit as we grow up, anyway?
Although there’s no single answer to this intriguing question, our changing brain chemistry is a major culprit.
The human brain matures through adolescence and even throughout our 20s, which ultimately makes it easier for us to handle our emotions and deal with stress. But it takes a lot of time to learn how to calm an emotional outburst or behave with grace under pressure.
It’s not just how we act in stressful circumstances that supports or diminishes our mental and emotional health. Stress lingers and affects the body and mind in subtle ways. Can you recognize the signs of chronic stress? Achieving a healthy mental and emotional state requires combating our worries in full force with good sleep hygiene, meditation, physical activity, nutritious food, and sometimes even a complete lifestyle overhaul, like finding another job.
Even when you do the best you know how, more serious mental and emotional health concerns can present themselves for the first time in your 20s.
Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or another mood disorder, experiencing poor mental and emotional health can be frightening and confusing. There’s no shame in admitting that you don’t feel like yourself. In fact, that’s the only way you can start to feel better.
While we hope our self-help articles prove useful in helping you to establish a routine, talk yourself through some tough situations, or reach out to a friend who seems to be struggling, professional help is always best when the symptoms are more serious. You wouldn’t expect an inflamed kidney or liver to “just get over it,” so don’t expect your brain to do the same when problems persist. Have a conversation with your doctor about these (quite common!) feelings or symptoms and develop a plan that will help you live your best life in your 20s and beyond.
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