Substance use, addiction, and other mental health disorders are known to cause physical, psychological, and emotional distress that leads to depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety can become chronic if left untreated, which can eventually cause a person to experience psychological and emotional numbness.
Emotional numbness is not uncommon; it is a normal response to many challenging life experiences like grief or overwhelming stress. It can also be a side effect of various medications. However, it is essential to recognize the difference between experiencing numbness and being numb. While numbness is often temporary, chronic or long-lasting numbness can bring about a number of concerns.
No matter what the cause may be, long-term numbness inevitably takes a toll on a person’s entire life. It can contribute to long-lasting consequences with an individual’s ability to cope with challenging life experiences and their ability to get in touch with personal feelings or connect with others.
Whether you know someone who is experiencing emotional numbness or you feel as if your days are just passing by mindlessly, utilizing the many ways that you can go about making your life feel more vibrant is crucial. These suggestions will teach and encourage you to be the creator of your personal happiness in life, especially during your recovery.
Sit With Your Feelings
When you feel numb, you likely don’t want to do anything. Recognize that sometimes doing nothing is a well-deserved break for all you have been enduring. However, the only way out is through. When you are ready, allow yourself to sit with the feelings you have been digging under for so long. Try to evaluate some of the positives and negatives in your life without overwhelming yourself. If you are unable to sit with your feelings alone, consider attending a treatment session with your therapist or community support group to help encourage some of those underground emotions to surface.
Identify What Makes Your Life Worthwhile
Mental health and substance use disorders—and the process of recovery—can be physically and mentally taxing. They can drain all of the energy you thought you had, even during those initial recovery stages.
When numbness takes over, it can seem impossible to think about where your life is going or what you want your future to look like. You may struggle to think about how you will get through your day, let alone think about what your life purpose may be. But these experiences of numbness become a valuable opportunity to evaluate and identify the things that truly make your life worthwhile.
Consider your strengths, passions, hobbies, and general interests. Think of any current events that trigger you or cause you to want a better life for yourself and the world around you. Figure out how to incorporate your passions into your daily life. It may be as simple as telling your loved ones you love them more frequently or attending community events that allow you to advocate for change. No matter what it is, identify the activities and experiences that bring joy to you and find ways to incorporate them into your life.
Engage in Spring Cleaning
Another helpful suggestion that may lead to a more vibrant life for you is engaging in spring cleaning. Spring cleaning involves organizing that old junk drawer in your house, finally donating the clothes you never wear, or redecorating your living space. Although spring cleaning typically refers to physical cleaning, it can also refer to evaluating your life circumstances.
Spring is a perfect opportunity to start fresh and begin anew. Maybe you have been in a toxic relationship for quite some time but haven’t found the courage to leave your toxic partner. Perhaps you have been caught up in the wrong group of friends that encourage you to engage in unhealthy or careless behavior. Spring is the ideal season to evaluate these relationships as well as set boundaries for moving forward. Do what you need to do to prioritize your emotional well-being.
Ways That You Can Enjoy Life More Right Now
There are endless ways that you can work to enjoy your life more right here, right now, in this present moment. Although these methods may seem simple, they might be the encouragement you need to challenge emotional numbness and to live every day as if it is your last day. Some examples include:
- Incorporate gratitude into your daily life
- Prioritize self-care
- Nurture positive relationships, even when they are challenging
- Assume the best in others
- Develop routines
- Celebrate small victories
- Engage in positive self-talk
- Rest when you need it
- Recognize the difference between self-worth and success
- Assess your level of need for mental health treatment, noting that everyone can benefit from treatment
Psychological and emotional numbness has many causes. Emotional numbness is a common result of intense anxiety and depression and can cause long-lasting consequences to an individual’s ability to persevere beyond adverse experiences. Mental health disorders, addiction, and substance misuse can often lead to emotional numbness as an attempt to avoid confronting trauma and other unresolved emotional issues. It is essential to learn how to challenge numbness, even when it is temporary, and to learn how to make your life feel more worthwhile. West Coast Recovery Centers is a mental health and addiction recovery treatment center that recognizes the value in helping clients secure life-long recovery and help them find their life purpose while doing so. Learn how to enjoy your life more right now by recognizing your need for mental health treatment. Spring is an ideal opportunity for change. For more information about our facility, call West Coast Recovery Centers today at (760) 492-6509.