Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? But, what exactly is does this mean? Well, we take the time to educate everyone of this important aspect of our lives.
Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It encompasses a wide range of factors, including one’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and how they interact with others and their environment. It is easier said than done to take care of our mental health. That’s why I wanted to share these today.
10 tips for taking care of our mental health:
- Social Connections: We all need connection. Even the most introverted person needs to see or talk to someone at some point. We were built to connect with one another so taking the time to engage in real life social connections is important.
- Appeal to your senses: Did you know that engaging in your senses can “trick” your brain into thinking that it’s out of danger? Appealing to your basic needs, breathing properly, enjoying nutritious meals can help our overall wellbeing.
- Stay active: There are numerous studies that show the relationship between exercise and improved mental health.
- Talk to someone: It may be simple for some but difficult for others, but opening up to someone about your feelings can help unload your stress.
- Take up relaxation skills: Mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing among others are helping relaxation skills we can learn to implement on our daily life. EMDR therapy teaches relaxation skills prior to delving into more stressful topic. Check out this link for more resources on relaxation skills.
- Make time for leisure: In a world in which productivity is glorified, take time to play and have fun. Be intentional about it.
- Eat a healthy brain diet: Eating healthy is not just for our overall health but for our mental health as well. Start taking note of how you feel after you eat certain foods and you will notice the impact of nutritious on your mental health.
- Don’t skip on sleep: Many of our stressors and anxiety can decrease with the simple practice of good sleep hygiene. Make sure you get proper rest. Although proper rest varies by person, ensuring that you get at leas 6-7 hours of uninterrupted sleep is a good start.
- Accept yourself: There’s only one you in this would. Love him/her. Embrace him/her. We cannot expect for others to accept us if we don’t start with accepting ourselves.
- Go to therapy: If you engage in these tips, have a support system but find yourself still struggling, then therapy could be an additional tool to improve your overall mental health. Therapy offers a judgment free confidential space for you to talk about your concerns and find interventions that can help you improve your overall well-being. Find out more about therapy here.
DISCLAIMER: Although I am a mental health professional, the information I provide should not be considered a substitute for a formal mental health evaluation. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, you can contact us at (407) 906-5214.
Mental health is a complex and highly individualized matter, and what works for one person may not work for another. The best course of action for anyone dealing with mental health concerns is to schedule an appointment with us for a personalized assessment, diagnosis, and treatment options. Please remember that seeking help from a licensed mental health expert is a vital step in addressing mental health challenges.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please contact emergency services or a crisis helpline immediately.
