As you may have seen plastered all over social media, May is Mental health awareness month. Since our mental health is a critical part of our emotional and mental wellbeing that can have a significant impact on physical health, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to talk about it too.
You probably already know how important I think self-care is, I mean I wrote a journal [
The Self-Care Method] and my self-care mobile app is about to launch too! Self-care really is an important part of overall mental health, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Mental health affects all aspects of our lives, from our relationships to our ability to cope with stress.
Remember, self-care can be anything that helps you feel better and cope with the challenges of daily life. From getting enough sleep and eating healthy to engaging in positive activities and connecting with friends. The ways to practice self-care are endless because self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. That’s why it’s important to play around and find what works for you. Some people find that exercising or listening to music helps to reduce stress, while others find that journaling or talking to a friend can be beneficial. There’s no wrong way to practice self-care. Like my quote in The Self-Care Method, “Self-care is a personal journey, there is no such thing as doing it wrong.”
When it comes to mental health, self-care is about more than just indulging in a spa day or binge watching that new series on Netflix. It’s about taking the time to check in with yourself and assess how you’re feeling. This could look like taking a few moments to meditate or journal, doing something creative or simply getting out in nature.
The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 4 people will experience mental health issues during their lifetime. Mental health issues can range from mild to severe and can have a significant effect on a person's life.
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES:
Anxiety disorders
Mood disorders
Eating disorders
Schizophrenia
Personality disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Substance abuse/addiction
Bipolar disorder
Taking care of ourselves and our mental health is essential for overall wellness, and self-care is one of the most important parts of this.
NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH:
Practicing Mindfulness
Breathing Exercises
Yoga
Various Forms of Exercise
Get Enough Sleep
Connecting with Others
Eat a Healthy Diet
Spend Time Outdoors
Seek Professional Help
Essential Oils*
Supplements*
*I wrote another piece about
Mental Health not too long ago where I share lots of different suggestions for supporting mental wellness with essential oils. I even share my favorite mental wellness system that supports all sorts of mental health issues, like focus, anxiousness and stress to the “hard core” issues mentioned above.
RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Treatment Referral Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Veterans Crisis & Suicide Prevention Line: Dial 988, then press 1
Crisis Text Line: text start to 838255
Anxiety & Depression Association of America: 1-240-485-1001
Remeber the next time you start to tell youself that you shouldn't take a moment for a little self-care that's it's also an important part of looking after your mental health.
xoDanette