May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Everyone has mental health! Join us to welcome May and celebrate staying healthy, both physically and mentally!
During this past year of the COVID – 19 pandemic, our mental health has been challenged in so many ways, and for some, the challenges have had a great impact on our lives and are reflected in the intensity of our emotions. Unfortunately, many people have struggled to move past emotions of the pandemic such as anger, frustration, sadness and fear. Many of our RAFT clients have also experienced a range of emotions, just like many others across the country.
As we celebrate May and Mental Health Awareness Month, some parts of daily life are beginning to gradually return to normal and as people venture out, there has been an increase level of stress and anxiety. Even as we look forward to normalcy, due to the stress of reopening, mental health symptoms can continue to peak and the experience can be different for everyone. Mental health deserves the same attention that we give to our physical wellbeing, as we know, both mental and physical health are inextricably connected! When mental health is not attended to, symptoms can worsen and become mental illness and the impact extends beyond the person directly experiencing the illness.
So how do we cope with reemergence stress and anxiety?
There are things we all can do to nurture ourselves, reinforce our strength and continue to thrive. This Mental Health Awareness Month, as you engage in education, outreach effort and practicing self-care, consider using these 4 steps:
1) Physical self-care
Movement of the body, health, nutrition, sleep and resting needs. Some examples of physical self-care:
2) Psychological self-care
Learning new things, practicing mindfulness and creativity. Some examples of psychological self-care:
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Practicing mindfulness
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Reading a book
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Learning a new skill
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Doing a digital detox
3) Emotional self-care
Enhancing emotional literacy, navigating emotions, increasing empathy and managing stress effectively. Some examples of emotional self-care:
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Saying no
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Making time for reflecting on feelings
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Practicing self-compassion
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Being aware of your emotional boundaries
4) Social self-care
Having a supportive group and network of relationships around you that you can trust and turn to. Some examples of social self-care:
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Honoring your commitments to other people
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Asking for help when you need it
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Meeting new people
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Spending time with family and friends
Adapted from Modern Therapy.
Let's Talk About Mental Health!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGSM6p9d5M
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