There’s a piece of advice I picked up somewhere — presumably scrolling through social media — that seems to be the perfect answer to any situation where your feelings get to be too much.

The advice is four-fold.

The first bit states, “When you feel like you are angry at the world, eat.”

I’m sure we’ve all heard the term hangry — a combination of hungry and angry.

According to an article by the Cleveland Clinic, there is a biological reason why some people get angry when they’re hungry. They explain that when you haven’t eaten for a while, the level of sugar in your blood decreases, triggering a cascade of hormones including cortisol (a stress hormone) and adrenaline (the fight-or-flight hormone).

The release of cortisol can cause aggression, gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD, said in the article. Low blood sugar can also interfere with higher brain functions that help us control impulses.

By eating, it’s like hitting the reset button and allowing your body to find a proper balance again.

Other studies suggest that eating can provide a sense of grounding and offer a distraction from whatever might be making you angry at that time.

It’s important to listen to what our anger is trying to tell us, and sometimes, it might just be that you’re hungry.

The second piece of advice says, “When you feel like the world is against you, sleep.”

Sleep helps your brain work properly. It helps you process emotions and memories, which can help you feel better when you are emotional.

Not getting enough sleep can make it harder to regulate those emotions, which can in turn cause feelings of depression or hopelessness, like feeling like the world is against you.

Sleep deprivation studies show that otherwise healthy people can experience increased anxiety and distress levels following poor sleep, according to a Columbia University article. The article also states that those with mental health disorders are even more likely to experience chronic sleep problems.

Difficulty focusing and feelings of fatigue also come with a lack of sleep which can interfere with proper thinking, allowing us to convince ourselves of things that might not be true.

Getting a good night’s sleep can have the power to solve various problems. It’s the reason we “sleep on it” before making a big decision or why we wait for the next day to resume a project, allowing us to come at it with fresh eyes.

The third portion explains, “When you feel like you hate yourself, shower.”

Taking care of yourself physically can have mental benefits as well.

There are many ways showers can help with mental health, according to Valley Oaks Health.

For one, showers can decrease anxiety and depression. Taking a warm shower can relax your muscles and reduce tension, soothing the physical effects of stress on the body, therefore relaxing your nerves. It can also decrease levels of cortisol.

Keeping up with your hygiene and appearance increases self-esteem. Feeling good about yourself physically can help you feel better, cleaner, and more put-together mentally.

For individuals who struggle with body image issues or negative self-talk, showering and bathing can be a powerful tool in improving mental well-being.

While showering can seem like a small task, it can have large effects and positively impact overall mental health.

Taking care of yourself is a form of loving yourself.

The fourth and last bit of advice goes, “When you feel like everyone hates everyone, go outside.”

Spending time outdoors in nature can often make you feel better about humanity. It can foster a sense of connection to the larger world, promote feelings of belonging, and potentially encourage a more positive outlook on others.

Nature can have a genuine calming and restorative effect that can help promote kindness and generosity. University of California, Berkeley, research has shown that the beauty of nature can increase positive emotions, which can also lead to prosocial behavior.

And sometimes, maybe all we need is a breath of fresh air and to immerse ourselves in nature as a friendly reminder that the world will not end just because there is tension in the air.

Whether it’s taking a shower, eating a sandwich, taking a nap, going for an outdoor walk, or something else entirely, there are so many ways to take care of ourselves. It’s about knowing what is the best fit for you at that moment.

All in all, it’s important to take care of your mental health, however you see fit.

Torianna Marasco can be reached at 989-358-5686 or tmarasco@TheAlpenaNews.com.