Some people are naturally extroverted and happy to spend time with other people. Others are more introverted and value their alone time. And plenty of folks are eager for company some of the time and eager for solitude at other times.
Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert or somewhere in between, there are three kinds of groups you should consider spending more time with in order to support your mental health.
The Benefits of Group Therapy
If you are struggling with a mental health disorder, group therapy can be a powerful tool for addressing symptoms and causes of depression, anxiety, or other issues related to mental well-being.
If you are taking advantage of individual therapy, it might seem like group therapy would be overkill. Or perhaps you are leery about sharing personal things with others. You might even wonder if you will be bored listening to the stories and problems of folks you don’t know.
But group therapy provides a real opportunity to build a community of mutual support while also reminding you that your difficulties are shared by others. A trained therapist leads this sort of group, ensuring that everyone benefits from the conversation.
The Benefits of Friends and Family
Sometimes a mental health disorder can lead to feelings of isolation. You might be embarrassed or upset or simply disinclined to see other folks when your symptoms seem hard to manage.
But spending time with close friends and family members is, in fact, a strategy for addressing those mental health symptoms. Enjoying time together staves off loneliness and boredom while reminding you that you are loved even when you are struggling.
These connections with the important people in your life don’t have to be major productions. A standing coffee date with a friend or a weekly shared meal with a family member or two can be just what you need to give your mental health a boost.
The Benefits of Serving Others
When you are struggling with a mental health disorder, it can be difficult to consider the needs of others because you are so focused on the challenges you are facing. But finding a way to serve others is actually a great way to support your own mental health.
Finding a group or organization with which to volunteer gives you the chance to work on something that matters to you—and that sense of purpose can firm up the foundations of your mental health. You might consider working in a food pantry or an animal shelter or as a volunteer usher for a local theater group.
The opportunities to be of service can be easy to overlook, but finding a group of likeminded people who are working together to accomplish something important can be truly fulfilling.
Other Groups You Might Consider
In addition to the groups mentioned above, there are other gatherings that might serve your mental health well.
For example, you might find strength, support, and inspiration in a faith community. Or you might find a group of people who enjoy an activity that is important to you (this can be especially important if your current friends or your family members think one of your cherished hobbies is boring or weird). Or, if your mental health disorder has been entangled with a substance use disorder, you might turn to a recovery group like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery.
Finding the people who make you feel good about yourself and about your shared endeavors is an excellent way to improve your mental health. Everyone—from the extroverted to the introverted—can benefit from spending quality time with others.
When it Comes to Your Mental Health, You Don’t Have to Go it Alone
At Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health in Colorado, we have an entire team devoted to helping people improve their mental health and maintain those improvements over time. Dealing with depression, anxiety, a trauma-based disorder, or another mental health issue is not something you have to undertake on your own.
Instead, you can count on Johnstown Heights to provide personalized care grounded in evidence and empathy and supported by our experience and expertise. We will listen to you—and we will work with you to chart a path forward. There is no need—and no benefit—to trying to go it alone when it comes to addressing mental health disorders. We are here to help, and we are ready to get to work whenever you are.
