Your mental health impacts every area of your life – how you work, how you live and how you play. When your mental health starts to suffer, it becomes harder to complete everyday tasks with the same vigor and energy.
If you find yourself in a slump this month, take a step back to check-in with yourself and think about the following questions:
- How am I feeling today (mentally and physically)?
When you are dealing with mental health challenges like depression, anxiety or trauma, you can also feel it in your body. So, you can be stressed without necessarily knowing it. That is why it is so important to eat well daily, move your body daily, take in sunlight daily. Enroll in therapy, if necessary. Self-care is not just one day out of the week or month, but EVERY day.
- What’s consuming my thoughts? Is anything worrying or stressing me?
Taking a step back to evaluate exactly what you’re giving attention to is a great mindful practice to help you recenter and stay focused on what matters most to you. You can even take things a step further and incorporate deep breathing into this time. For example, breathing in for a count of four and out for a count of four is a great simple exercise to relax your body and think about what you’ve been focusing on throughout the day.
- Have I eaten today, and did I drink any water?
When you’re not feeling your best, your mind can play tricks on you. Have you ever felt like you were really struggling to get through the afternoon and after having a quick lunch you felt energized and ready to power through? Hunger can cause a lot of emotional symptoms. Making sure you are hydrated is also another important way to fight brain fog and ensure you feel your best.
- What can I do to bring myself joy today?
Choosing gratitude and positivity can make a big difference in how you experience a mental health challenge and navigate a difficult day. If you’re feeling down, think about small things you can do to help you feel more like yourself. Enjoy a bubble bath with a glass of wine, treat yourself to a mani-pedi, or watch your favorite television show or movie. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s something that brings you joy.
Interested in more Keys to Abundant Life resources on mental health? Check out last year’s blogs on “How to help your children take charge of their mental health” and “Are you prioritizing your mental health?”
