“Are you OK?” A simple question that when we are asked, we often overthink. It is just three words, so how can it be so powerful? I am sure I speak for a lot of individuals who struggle with mental illnesses that when we are asked those three words, all we can think of are the million reasons why we wouldn’t be OK. So we always end up answering with “I’m fine.” More often than not, we aren’t “fine," whatever “fine” may mean. How do we get to feel OK? Is there even such a thing as feeling this way? Who knows? I sure don’t, and probably will forever be searching for an answer. One thing I do know is how to come a little bit closer to feeling “OK."

1. Step one: you do it.

Stop telling yourself that you’re not OK. The more you tell yourself you are OK, the more you will start feeling like it. Deep down, you are OK, you are alive and breathing, even if it might seem like you are not. You are.

2. Talk about it.

More often than not, those of us who suffer with mental illnesses really enjoy bottling things up and keep all of our thoughts inside until we literally explode. Clearly, if you’re suffering from either of these two illnesses, you know that keeping everything in isn't helping. So talk! Share how you’re feeling, even if what is bugging you is something as silly as not doing well on a test. Regardless, if it is on your mind, talk about it! Otherwise, you’ll think about it, overthink, and it will stress you out forever. Believe me.

3. Do things that make you happy.

Just do it, whatever it is. Whether it is calling your mom to say hi, coloring a picture, listening to music, going for a run—anything. Just do it! It will help you take a moment to take your mind off all the silly things going on inside of your head and maybe even help give you a chance to breath.

4. Breathe.

Breathe in and breathe out. It sounds so simple, but if you suffer from any mental illness, you know how difficult it actually is to just breathe. Even when you feel like you can’t, just try. Controlling your breathing and taking deep breaths is so important to calming down in any situation you may encounter.

5. Get outside and get active.

It may sound silly, but even just breathing in fresh air is helpful. I spent so long searching for the best medications to realize that just moving around, being active or working out was more helpful than anything else.

6. Never ever give up.

It may seem like the hardest thing to do—to keep pushing when absolutely nothing is going your way. I promise, it will get better. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week, and maybe it will even take a year, but you will get there. And when you do, you will look back and be thankful you've held on the whole way through.