Let's Talk Mental Health.
As I started to think about what to write, I was reminded of the song Let's get physical... not a big fan of the lyrics but the tune is catchy, and it's stuck in my head. Well let's talk Mental, I mean Mental health.
"OMG this is driving me mental!" I have heard this phrase a lot in the last month. Chances are you have voiced these words or heard someone talk on those lines.
There is a lot of truth to those words, I bet you agree with me.
I often ask my clients and students this - Why mental? what is the definition of mental? Mental means- anything relating to the mind. Where is your mind? Some say not sure, but most of them say it is in the brain. Where is your brain? Well in my head of course, Where is your head? sitting comfortably on the neck (are you checking? 😅).
If your mind is in the brain, and your brain in the head and your head is part of your body- then why this step-motherly behaviour towards mental health (not all stepmoms, only some Disney stepmoms).
What I am trying to make you understand is your mental hygiene is as important as your physical hygiene.
Have you been social distancing? have you been washing your hands? have you been bathing in a disinfectant- that is a lil extreme, lol. You have put all measures to protect yourself and your dear ones from the dreaded C virus and kudos for doing so. What have you done to protect yourself from the virus of anxiety, depression, and panic? How are you protecting your mental health? I am sure by now you understand the importance of taking care of your mental health, it is as important as your physical well-being.
Our mental health sits on a continuum and shifts from good to poor depending on the various factors. With the current crisis, we have noticed that many people are leaning and continuing to stay on the poor side of the scale, most of them are experiencing panic, severe anxiety, suicide ideation etc. Now more than ever we need to know how to identify the warning signs, know what and how to speak with our loved ones who are suffering the mental impacts.
Some things you can do right now are-
• Learn some breathing exercises
• Eat healthy- take some supplements like vit D. omega 3, zinc, ginkgo, garlic, ginger- these help your brain health too.
• Get some sunshine
• Stop watching or hearing Constant Negative New - (no offense CNN)
• Be kind to yourself and others, be non-judgmental • Send love, enjoy time with family, do things together- strengthen that bond.
• Pray, meditate, feed your mind.
Stay well, stay safe.
Priscilla