After a long two years in a global pandemic that’s caused record numbers of loss and signs of depression, it’s not unusual for people to be carrying around what psychologists refer to as “emotional baggage.” Whether you’ve experienced trauma during these unconventional times or you’re carrying the weight of something from your childhood, the great news is that there are people and tools that can help with taking the sting out of emotional baggage. To understand more about emotional baggage and how you can take the first steps to address this important part of your mental health, read on.

Letting Go and Grief

Emotional baggage can include everything from the pain, grief, trauma, and difficult memories of a triggering time or time period. For some people, emotional baggage includes the loss of a loved one, a form of abuse, a bad or scary experience, or even a period of depression or low self-esteem. Unresolved emotional baggage can take a toll on a person’s overall mental health and turn into a form of PTSD or result in negative behaviors. Untreated emotional baggage can increase the risk of mental illness, mood disorders, and more.

For most people, the healthiest way to deal with emotional baggage is to reach out to a licensed therapist or health care provider for professional help. Those who have difficulty in daily life functioning due to emotional baggage and mental illness often have great luck in transitional housing after inpatient care in mental health treatment centers. There, treatment teams help people to put their lives back together as they work through recovery from a variety of symptoms. For example, a social worker might help find a self storage unit through US Storage Units where someone in recovery would have more than 10,000 options on units that could help them make a big move or change on the path to wellness. Or, a psychologist might offer expert guidance and CBT therapy to help a person with anxiety.

Reaching Out for Help

No two people experience emotional baggage exactly the same way. While a fantastic mental health retreat California might be the best option for one person, another might do better in a local support group through their community hospital. In all reality, there are no wrong answers when it comes to getting well and reaching out for help as long as you’re going through a licensed mental health professional.

For some people, it’s difficult to ask for help in achieving emotional wellness because of the stigma attached to mental illness. However, trained professionals can offer validation, tools, resources, medications, and exercises that can make a big difference and lead to a life of both happiness and hope. It’s worth reaching out.

Building a Personal Support Network

Whether you’re working on finding a therapist who feels right for you now, or you aren’t ready, it’s a great idea to surround yourself with supportive people you trust as you work through your emotional baggage. Talking about painful things with people you trust can be a great first step in getting help even before you see a therapist.

In the end, putting your mental health first, eliminating stressors, and seeking professional help are all great ways to begin to tackle emotional baggage. Engaging in activities of self-care, getting enough exercise, and surrounding yourself with supportive people and opportunities are other great ways to move into a more hopeful future. Best of luck to you as you begin to face your emotional scars and get the help you deserve. Your happiness matters, and making it a priority now is something you’ll thank yourself for later on.