May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And as we enter summer, after a busy spring, this is a great time to pause and take a moment to reflect on how we’re doing mentally.
Everyone has stress, and we all handle it differently. Some stress is simple and can be eliminated quickly. However, some stress builds and can affect us physically and spill over into other areas of our lives.
I’ve had to work through mental health awareness issues at various points. Whether it’s grief, stress, depression, burnout – all of them take a mental toll. There are some things that are out of our control, but the trick with these issues is to recognize what is in our control and do something about it.
Now this is easier said than done, but there are several things I’ve found to be helpful over the years. ** I am not a health professional. So, please consult your doctor for medical advice and additional steps. **
If you’re dealing with mental issues, then you know moving forward may be hard. But it’s also vital for your health and worth the effort. We just have to gather up enough effort to make the change, and that can be a battle.
You ultimately have two options. Both are hard, but one is rewarding. You can stay where you are or you can make a change. What will you choose?
Let’s look at some ways we can get a handle on our mental health.
Look at the options in front of you.
Take time to go to the drawing board and consider them carefully and logically, because your emotions are high and you have to look at facts.
Find support.
Whether it’s with family, friends, a counselor, a doctor, your church. These are people who will be honest and helpful. There have been points where I secluded myself and had to intentionally push myself to reach out to those closest to me.
Try to do relaxing activities.
This is not just fun things on your idea list, but things that actually relax your mind and body. Classical music, bubble baths, reading, sipping wine at sunset.
Journal your thoughts.
It’s a good way to sort through the emotional thoughts and the facts. Sometimes we can be way more honest with ourselves on paper than in our heads.
Exercise.
Exercise can be very helpful in combating negativity and depression (just ask Elle Woods in Legally Blonde). It reduces the symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression by releasing endorphins which are a natural mood booster.
Get a solid amount of quality sleep.
Lack of sleep triggers so many things and feeds stressful situations. Conversely, sleeping all the time can be a warning sign of mental health concerns.
Be mindful.
Be mindful of yourself, your workplace, and the situations and people around you. Try to look at everything through the factual lens you develop with some of the other steps.
Use boundaries.
This is sometimes crucial for becoming healthy again. You may even have triggers you need to guard against for a time. Know what is not helping and what you have the ability to set a boundary on. Give yourself space to get to a healthy mental state and actively work toward that goal.
Be kind to yourself.
Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to heal. It may take a while. You can do it!
Find yourself center.
Know who you are and what is truth. This can look like journaling, prayer, deep breathing and slowing down to remind yourself of who you are and what is true. This can create peace in chaos.
Know your “Why”.
This is simply why you do what you do – your drive and motivation. It could be family, faith, a cause, or something else that moves you to action.
Pace yourself.
We live in a really busy world. There are so many good things we can do, but we don’t need to do them all. By saying yes to one thing, you are saying no to another because you are limited on what you can do. Think about what your life priorities are. What you do should center on those things.
Reevaluate Periodically.
In order to not fall into the same mental issues, it can be helpful to periodically reevaluate the changes you’ve made and how you are living. I like to do this a few times a year in prep for natural transitions, like before the school year or a new year. I like to look at what’s working, what isn’t working, and if I need to change something a bit.
Mental health awareness shouldn’t be limited to one month of the year. We should be taking as much care of our mental health as we do our physical health. And when all of the above things come together, you can live intentionally. You aren’t just floating through life and reacting. You are working and responding in a healthy way to have a rich quality of life.
I like the quote: “When things change inside you, things change around you.” Whether it’s your perception of it or if you are influencing the changes, your decisions have a huge impact on your life.
What will you decide to do?
