Be Kind To Your Mind This Month Of May!
Mary Hammond, MS, LCPC - New Beginnings Program, Senior Behavioral Health
It’s a good time to check in with ourselves and family members to address our overall mental health. It is critical to our emotional wellness that we take time to recognize the importance of maintaining our optimal emotional health.
Here are some simple ways that we can begin to work towards strengthening our mental health:
- Engage socially. It is vital that we continue to be involved in supportive relationships. This can include church, family, friends, or even being connected to the community by going to the library. If we cannot socialize in person, we can continue to be engaged with each other through our creativity via social media, telephone, writing/sending cards/letters etc.
- Learn something new. We can continue to learn something each day. This challenges us so that we our able to develop a fresh perspective and excitement for ourselves. This also enhances our self-esteem. Maybe learning a new word, subject, craft, start to learn a musical instrument etc. It’s NEVER too late!
- Exercise and move more than we typically do. This doesn’t necessarily mean running or lifting weights, but walking, stretching, standing up during TV commercials, dancing, chair dancing, playing Frisbee. Be creative and get off the couch!
- Be mindful of nutrition. Being able to choose eating a piece of fruit vs. that cookie, doing one thing a day that is a healthier choice for you. This includes hydrating. If you drink that cup a coffee also drink a glass of water.
- Relaxation and Sleep. Sleep is so vital for our mental health and our overall wellbeing. Try turning off cell phones and other devices 45 minutes prior to going to bed. Also we can try writing 3 things that we are grateful for that day before going to sleep.
- Practice Self-Compassion. It’s important for us to pay attention to how we speak to ourselves. We need to nurture ourselves as we would treat another person who may be going through a challenging situation. What would we say that is comforting and supportive to this person? Let’s say that to ourselves!
Click here for more information about the New Beginnings Program
