A relationship can make or break you. The latter jeopardises your mental health. While you have no control over other people's actions, you have control over yours. This entails protecting your mental health at all costs. Here's how to do so.
1. Communicate Your Feelings to Your Partner
The culture of silence is one of the biggest mental health-related problems in relationships. You have to be able to express yourself even when things are not going well. Don't keep quiet just because you don't want your partner to see you as a nag. There's a very big difference between genuinely expressing your feelings and nagging.
If your partner feels that expressing how you feel makes you a nag, there's a problem. If they truly care about you, they would want to hear you out. They should want to find ways to resolve the problem and make you feel better. You must communicate how you feel at every point.
If you're sad, hurt, or disappointed, you need to have a sit-down with them. You don't have to raise your voice or be rude. Just make your case as calmly as possible and let them know how you feel. Choose your words carefully by saying things like, "I feel this is how you make me feel."
2. Set Clear and Healthy Boundaries
If you don't let your partner know which things are unacceptable, they might continue to do them. You have to be clear about those boundaries. Let them know what is and isn't acceptable. These have to be healthy boundaries because you are in a relationship together.
Both of you are supposed to be free with each other, but don't put your mental health on the line. If certain behaviors jeopardize your mental health, you need to communicate that. You have to be open because they aren't mind readers. They don't have supernatural powers to figure it out.
Communicate your boundaries clearly and be firm about them. Your partner needs to know that you are serious. Only then are they going to take you seriously and work toward doing better. Protecting your peace requires being honest about your limits.
3. Choose Your Battles and Avoid Stressful Situations
You have to be able to discern certain situations that will stress you. If a stressful situation has happened before, don't allow it to happen again and again. By now, you should know which behaviors have a tendency to become stressful. Avoid those subjects and situations.
If you don't, you will end up getting stressed. Choose your battles wisely because you don't have to make a big deal out of every situation. There are certain things you need to let go of or ignore. You do this because you don't want to stress yourself over insignificant things.
If you address every single thing, your partner might feel like they're walking on eggshells. Be smart about it and avoid situations beforehand. If going to a certain place will stress you, let them know you're not up to it. This leads to fewer stressful situations in your relationship.
4. Cultivate Relationships Outside Your Partner
Build platonic relationships with other people. Don't make your partner the center of your world or build your entire life around them. Don't be entirely dependent on your partner because it eventually gets unhealthy. If they're the only person you talk to and they're unavailable, it will drive you crazy.
Try not to be codependent. You need to be able to function if they're not available. Build healthy relationships and have friends of your own. Your partner’s friends don't have to be your only friends.
Have a life and a world that doesn't revolve around one person. That way, your expectations of them will not be so high. Even when they aren't on their best behavior, you won't be stressed out. You'll have other people around you for support.
5. Know When It Is Time to Quit
You have to be able to discern when enough is enough. If being in a relationship does nothing but stress you out, when do you leave? It isn't healthy if it worsens your mental health and makes you feel terrible. You can't keep up with that forever.
At some point, you have to find a way out. You need to know when it's time to quit, especially when you've done your best. If you've spoken with your partner and tried to make things work but they aren't, you must recognize that. If it lingers too long, it could get really dangerous.
Don't bottle things up. If your partner makes you feel a certain way, let them know. Avoid situations that stress you mentally and cultivate a support system. Remember to put your interest first.
Watch the YouTube video on Protecting Your Peace: How to Maintain Your Mental Health in a Relationship