As May comes to a close, I wanted to bring up a topic close to my heart – mental health. May is actually mental health awareness month, which I believe is the perfect time to talk a bit about my story with you as well as share helpful resources that I hope can be useful to you all.
The more we talk about mental health, the more we can break the stigma. Because chances are, you or someone close to you has struggled with mental health at some point or another – whether it is a long term or temporary struggle, it is nothing to be ashamed of!
If you or someone you know is in distress please consider calling 800-273-8255 to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or visit their website – https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
I am not going to lie, mental health is something I have struggled with throughout my life in different ways. At different times in my life I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety, and have even been diagnosed by a psychiatrist at the age of 16. It was not easy looking for help, especially in my teen years. However, I am glad that I did and I was able to get the resources I needed to find a better version of myself. And while I am far from perfect and I’ll never be “cured” – I am definitely better off than I used to be and that is what matters.
Here are just a few ways I’ve been able to help my mental health over the years:
- Therapy/Counseling: Therapy and/or counseling is not something that is easy to admit that you need – trust me I know. But I think literally everyone – even if they don’t have mental health struggles – can benefit to talking to a professional. It can be extremely difficult to find the right therapist, especially one that is covered by your insurance. I recommend finding an in-network therapist that focuses on your exact needs (anxiety, ADD, etc) – plus they offered both in office and online therapy options. The website linked above can help you do just that!
- Indulging in Hobbies: Taking time for myself is crucial to my mental health. I be sure to take time daily to do something I know will entertain my mind and put me in a good mood. This may be exercising, needlepointing, playing games, reading, etc. The hobby I pick will definitely change from day to day, but it always helps to put me in a better mindset. I know many people pick up meditating as a hobby and it helps with their mental health, Headspace is a popular app for this.
- Fueling My Body Properly: What you put into your body is what you get out of it. Don’t get me wrong, I am not at all the cleanest eater in the world – I love myself McDonald’s fries and a large diet coke. But, there are certain things I do when it comes to fueling my body that helps my mental health. I make sure to get the vitamins I need not only by eating fresh fruits and veggies, but also utilizing items like protein shakes to get a good amount of nutrition in one go. Additionally, I often take these stress gummy vitamins that contain GABA (which inhibits nerve transmission therefore calming our brains), L-theanine (that is said to help ease anxiety), and lemon balm (which helps reduce stress/anxiety).
Don’t forget to talk to a trusted family member, loved one, friend, or physician if you are struggling. People can’t help unless they know there is something wrong. I promise that you are loved, people care, and they want to help!
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I know this post was a bit different from my normal content, but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list to be notified the next time I post.
Thanks for reading
xoxo
Jayme
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