When you’re constantly on the go it’s easy to neglect your mental health and wellness. But then something like 2020 happens. Or you hit a wall physically, spiritually or yes, even mentally. If ever there was a time when taking care of the whole you was important, it’s now.
Hit the Pause button
Sometimes, everyday struggles clue us into the importance of prioritizing our complete health, including spiritual, physical, and emotional health. But there are times when it takes something much bigger to get our attention.
For many, the isolation combined with the stress of living in a pandemic exposed the need to deal with issues that could no longer be ignored. Up until then busyness or constant distractions masked what lay beneath the surface waiting to be exposed.
In my case, just prior to the pandemic I was confronted with a series of losses one after the other. I lost family members, job opportunities, dreams, you name it. It was a difficult period that went on for about 5 years.
During that time, I did what came naturally. I paused for a moment, but then I kept going. Doing is what I do best. While that might have worked for a while, 2020 was in a league all its own. Not surprisingly, when the pandemic hit, my usual coping skills came up short.
I realized that pain and grief don’t just go away on their own. And they don’t like being swept under a rug. At some point they need to be dealt with. Sometimes we need to process. Sometimes we need support. Sometimes we need to pause and deal with the pain before we can rush past what feels uncomfortable.
Without the usual hurried pace, I began to get the sneaky feeling that I needed to finally take some time to heal.
Your story might be different and that’s fine. Whatever it is, I invite you to consider how best to pay attention to your overall wellness, and in particular, your mental wellbeing.
Admittedly, the stigma of mental health can make you want to avoid this topic all together. That’s why it’s so important to have a conversation around mental health and for us to speak up about our own struggles, giving others permission and encouragement to do the same.
How to Prioritize Mental Health and Wellness
As you consider the importance of mental health and wellness, here are five suggestions for how to make your mental health and wellness a priority. As you read, consider which one you can start today.
1. Know what to look for
To make your mental health a priority, start with knowing what to look for. For example, what does good mental health look like and what does it not? This might require a little research and will invite you to be self-aware as you observe your own patterns and behaviors.
Consider: what are your warning signs of burnout? What makes you feel stressed out? What are your coping mechanisms?
A quick Google search of ‘mental health and wellbeing’ reveals a list of poor mental health warning signs by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, including:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
Visit MentalHealth.gov for the full list of warning signs.
Also read how to get help here.
2. Take care of you
When it comes to taking care of you, how are you doing? Are you treating your body like the temple God says it is? Or are you running yourself ragged?
Taking care of your mental health and wellness starts with taking care of you. From what you eat and how much you sleep, to the amount of exercise you get–these are all important aspects of self-care.
A big part of taking care of you involves having time to rest and recharge. Build in quiet moments in your day to journal, think, read and pray. As a matter of fact, keeping a journal has been found to improve mental health, so that would be a great place to start.
When you neglect to take care of you, it leaves you susceptible to mental health challenges. Bottom line: it’s hard to cope when you’re feeling run down. So, show yourself some love, will you?
3. Stay tied in
There’s something beautiful about being in community with others. Whether you prefer a small circle of friends or a big social network, there are so many benefits from doing life together. Meeting a friend face to face is often my preference, but when that’s not possible, it’s fun to see a face on the other side of the screen too. It’s also uplifting to hear a friend’s voice.
Maintaining our relationships and pursuing new ones will help to keep us tied in by creating a sense of community with others. Fostering the bonds of friendship and staying close to family, will help you feel less alone and isolated, therefore supporting your mental health and wellness.
4. Serve & Help Others
Another fantastic way to connect with others is by serving and meeting the needs of others. Whether you do this as part of a community or service club, with a family group, or on your own, meeting someone else’s needs provides a sense of fulfillment that we all need.
Many local organisations, churches and non-profits will gladly accept volunteers for their programs, so call around and see what opportunities there are for you to get involved.
5. Be willing to get help
Due to the stigma associated with mental health too many people don’t get the help they need. When you think about it, focusing on what others think serves no one. Instead, focus on what’s best for you, which may include reaching out for extra support.
Rather than see it as something to be ashamed of, look at how having support will make you a stronger and more capable woman who’s able to live up to her full potential.
Making the decision to get help was one of my best decisions. It opened the door to healing that I didn’t think was possible. While it made me stronger, I also became more compassionate toward those who face battles every day.
Seeking help does not make you weak, in fact it shows just how strong you really are. #WorldMentalHealthDay Share on XLet’s reject the labels and encourage one another to take care of our complete selves. Your mental health is worth it. You are worth it!
How about you?
How are you taking care of your overall health, particularly your mental health and wellbeing? Which of these tips will you choose to work on right now?
Feeling stuck?
Take the THRIVE 5-day challenge and find the one thing you need to focus on right now.
Featured Books:
Check out the following books to help support your wellness journey.
This page includes affiliate links which means if you purchase using a link here, I may receive a commission. It’s no extra cost to you and helps support this site. Please know that I only share products/resources that I love and trust and which I believe will benefit you. See my full disclosure policy here.
[…] health. Many of the tips mentioned already (such as exercise and good rest), will contribute to improved mental health so that’s a good start. But also pay attention to how you’re really doing, emotionally […]