Mental Health Awareness Month
As most of you know, May is Mental Health Awareness month. Over the years, mental health has become something I am truly passionate about, and it is my hope that I can help others through my own experiences and struggles. The purpose of this blog post is to give you a different perspective on mental health and actionable items you can apply right now to improve your mental health, not just now, but long term.
First, let's start with rephrasing from “mental health” to “mental fitness.’ I watched a video the other day where Simon Sinek speaks on this subject, and it really hit home for me. When you hear the term "health," what comes to mind? Usually, people think of physical health or the need to improve their health simply because something is wrong or not good enough. Working on your "mental health" implies that you are sick and need to cure a disease. Yes, I know there are mental disorders, but for now, we are simply speaking about maintaining a healthy mind. When working on your "mental fitness," it implies that you have a muscle that needs to work and grow.
When we work out, we generally feel "sore" afterward. Does this mean we are sick? No, of course not. Soreness in most cases is a good sign, a sign that your muscles are working and getting stronger. I want you to start thinking of your mental fitness as a muscle that was made to be worked and strengthened every day. This concept has been a game changer for me. It is a more positive and effective outlook, and it encourages the act of doing things to strengthen and grow the mind.
I know there are so many tips and advice out there, some that are cliché, but I am going to share what has been tried and true for me in my personal life. Feel free to comment or share yours.
Here are some ways you can improve your mental fitness right now:
Positive Affirmations: Yes, this one is cliché, but here's where people go wrong. Just saying "today is going to be a good day" is an okay affirmation, but do you believe it, and will having a good day truly bring value to your life? I have had some major body shaming issues lately, so what I've done every single morning when getting dressed is this; I'll do a power pose or sexy dance and say, "Good morning, you beautiful motherfucker. Goddamn, you are looking fine today. And DAAAMNN, that ass!" I kid you not, this has improved my perspective on my body tremendously. Be specific to what you are going through and utilize some sort of pose and movement when saying your affirmations.
Alignment Reminder: Any time you eat, drink, or do anything, I want you to start asking yourself these two questions: 1) Does eating/doing/drinking/buying this contribute to my well-being and goals? 2) If not, what are the consequences of doing/eating/drinking/buying this? It's also important to ask yourself where this desire is coming from. I naturally sometimes want to drink alcohol when I am lonely, so I have to be very aware of where my desire to drink is coming from. If I know I want to have a couple of drinks socially with friends, I know I am in a safe place to do so. But if I want to drink simply to numb out the grief of being lonely, I take a step back and change course. What's helped me stay the course is wearing specific bracelets my sister got me that trigger me to ask myself those questions. You could use a bracelet, ring, or a post-it note somewhere in your home, etc., but just use something that will remind you to ask the questions.
Drink all the H2O: Believe it or not, this one is a biggie. Studies have shown that if our brain is dehydrated in any way, being that our brains are 73% water, we can easily become moody, fatigued, and less productive. I personally become more anxious when there is a lack of water in my system. Drinking water when you are hungry also helps prevent stress eating and being mindful of why you want to eat something in the first place. Drink your water, y'all; you won't regret it.
Feeding your Inner Child: This one sounds silly, but if you could take one thing away from reading this blog post, it would be this. Everything we are and every decision we make as adults now, is a reflection of our past and our childhood. As children, most of us lived with little fear and hesitation, so we thoroughly enjoyed activities without a care in the world. As adults, even when we try to enjoy something, we are almost always in our heads or glued to our screens, which can be so energy-sucking. Take a moment and think of a few things or activities you did as a child that brought you the most joy. One of my favorites growing up was drawing, sketching, or just any art of some kind. I was always in my little world, and creating art really made me the happiest girl in the world. When I sketch or color now, I notice I am completely present and focused on what I am drawing, and all the stress and fear are almost entirely non-existent. It's a surreal feeling and something I try to do more of every day.
Walks in Nature: This might be the most obvious and common tip out there, but it's been proven over and over again to be so beneficial to our brains and bodies. The fresh air, the sounds, and the smell can put you back on track in moments and help refocus and re-energize. I have a dog, so it's more of a habit to walk outside multiple times a day; however, sometimes I bring my phone, or I simply just get through the walk. Now I leave my phone at home and am more intentional about what I am experiencing as I walk. I do breathwork as I walk and try to identify as many sounds and smells as I possibly can. If you don't have a pet, that's fine, but I challenge you to at least take one single short walk today.
There are many more pieces of advice, but these were the top five that have impacted me the most in the last year alone. I hope this provided insight and value, and if you haven't already, I hope you start prioritizing your mental fitness. And if you are having any negative or fatal thoughts or just need someone to talk to, please reach out for help by dialing 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. I've been there and know personally how dark our thoughts can be. You are not alone. <3
Love you all and take care.
- MM
