Mental Health Day 2018
Today is Mental Health Day and it’s a day that I feel is so important to talk about. There is a stigma around mental health and illness that causes a lot of people to not speak up or reach out if they need help. While this topic is more talked about as of late, I believe there is still a ways to go when it comes to understanding, respecting, helping, and for people to start prioritizing their mental states.
When I was in college, taking care of myself started to work its way more to the forefront of my mind. My youth had been spent more focused on school, social interactions, and sports, and I didn’t think about taking care of myself in any other way. But when I entered my 20’s, I quickly realized how important it is to tend to your mind and self because if you don’t, it can be very damaging, isolating, and occasionally dangerous. While I had that understanding, I didn’t speak to people about any negative feeling that I had because I was scared of being seen as “broken” in some way or just completely misunderstood. It took a talk with my mom (of course) and some serious self reflection to realize that I needed to ask for help and I needed to figure out a way to take better care of myself.
Thankfully I am now in a place where I feel very comfortable discussing my mental health and feel like I have gained many tools to address obstacles that comes my way. Here are some ways that I personally take care of my mental health:
I go to therapy. For me, talking problems, issues, or anxieties out verbally works best. I find that doing that with somebody who is unbiased can help me see things from a different perspective and it allows me the opportunity to grow. Starting therapy was one of the best things I could’ve done for my mental health because for a long time, I just kept everything in and handled anything that was wrong in an unhealthy fashion.
I work out. I (try to) attend a boot camp and kickboxing class every week and if I have the time and am feeling motivated, I’ll squeeze in a run. It is hard to make the time and sometimes I just can’t be bothered to leave my house, but when I do make it to the gym, I’m always happy that I do.
I do things by myself. I love spending time with my friends and family, but every now and then, I just need to be alone. I’ve gone to the movies, meals, and events all by myself before and I’ve learned to get comfortable with that singularity. I find that when I make time just for me, I feel like I’ve connected with myself more and I have the opportunity to reflect.
I do things that make me happy. If that means watching four episodes of the Great British Baking Show in a row, then I’ll do it. If that means taking a two hour nap, then I’ll do it. If that means listening to the Dear Evan Hansen soundtrack on repeat, then I’ll do it. If that means spending $15 on a bouquet of flowers at Pike Place Market, then you bet I’ll do it.
I disconnect. Like a lot of people, I sometimes find myself so engrossed in my phone and social media that suddenly it’s been an hour and I haven’t looked up from my screen once. In those moments I try and remind myself to take a step back from the false realities of Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and remember the world I actually live in. I don’t need to constantly be updating my status or telling people where I am. There’s a beauty in keeping some things to and for yourself and for me, that happens when I unplug.
I lean on my support system. I am blessed with two parents who have always supported me and who truly want what’s best for me. I’m also lucky to have a boyfriend and friends who care about how I’m doing and feeling, and who will be there the moment I ask for help. Not everyone has a support system that’s accessible to them, so I don’t take mine for granted.
I recognize the good and bad days. Working on your mental health is a process and it’s a journey that doesn’t always have a set end. That means with the good days, you’ll also get some bad. In those dark moments, it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel and for me, I feel my emotions strongly and intensely at times. Sometimes there’s no escaping those feelings that creep into my mind that debilitate me. But I’ve tried to start recognizing those days and I continue to try to keep in mind that those moments won’t last and that I’m strong enough to pull myself out of them.
This country has a long way to go with reducing the stigma of mental health and illness and definitely has a long way to go when it comes to providing resources and help to people that need it. On a more universal scale, mental health receives less than 1% of global aid and 1 in 4 people will have to deal with a mental condition at some point. There needs to be a dialogue and funding because we as human beings deserve that. But individually, we can all do so much to help ourselves and those around us. Speak out and reach out. Listen. Be compassionate. Be gentle to yourself.
For information and resources, check out the World Health Organization.