May is a time of rebirth. Seeds start to sprout. Eggs hatch. Flowers bloom.
While mother nature is renewing herself, it’s a good time as any to reflect on
our own mental health. Acknowledging and being aware of what mental
health state each of us is in will allow oneself to make healthy choices that will immensely benefit one’s life.
What is mental health, one might ask?
Mental health is the state of an individual’s well being. It can be negatively impacted by pressures of stress and society which will affect how someone thinks, acts, and feels. Mental health affects each individual in various ways, these include emotionally,
physically, psychologically, and socially. It’s important to be aware and
educated about mental health in order to make healthy choices in life.
Mental health awareness is important because it helps educate people and reduce stigma about mental illnesses. People suffer in silence for fear of their mental illnesses. It’s time to bring awareness and help those who need help.
“It’s okay to not be okay.”
-Michael Clifford
Not everyone can be okay all the time. We can’t always understand the ways in which we feel. Rather than ignoring your feelings, it’s important to acknowledge that not being okay is okay.
If you feel you are suffering from poor mental health, here is a list of healthy ways to improve your mental well-being:
- Read a book
- Listen to music
- Journal
- Practice gratitude
- Go for a walk
Mental Illnesses are defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. Unfortunately, there are many mental illnesses that people suffer from every day. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and many more mental illnesses affect peoples’ daily lives. If you do suffer from a mental illness, please don’t be afraid to receive treatment or connect with a support network.
In my own life, anxiety affects me a lot. It makes it hard to do daily stuff like get groceries or go to work. According to medlineplus. gov, “Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat.”
There are times when I’m with friends and I can feel my anxiety acting up; my heart starts to beat twice as fast, and my brain is filled with thoughts of dread. By becoming aware of how my anxiety affects me, I’ve done research into ways to help me reduce my anxiety.
Here are some tips I have learned that help me cope with my anxiety.
- Practice deep breathing.
- Identify and reduce what triggers your anxiety
- Talk to a loved one or friend.
- Exercise. Take a walk, do sit-ups, lift weights.
- Journal whenever you feel anxious. Record your thoughts.
- Drink water.
- Eating healthy. Focus on eating whole foods, vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, and fish.
- Organize your space. Decluttering your space helps to declutter your mind.
- Ground yourself. Name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste.
Mental health affects everyone differently. These are just a few ways to help with your mental health, it’s not an official treatment. If you are suffering, reach out to proper providers to receive official treatment or connect with support networks that can provide professional assistance. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, don’t hesitate to text or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline.
Remember, if you’re ever feeling like your mental health is suffering, educate yourself and don’t be afraid to reach out to a loved one or connect with a support network. Being aware of your own mental health is important. You’re never alone.
Works Cited:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-awareness-month
https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
https://www.lifespan.org/lifespan-living/importance-mental-health-awareness-month
The Emerald Butterfly 
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