As you know, I am so passionate about taking care of your mental health. It's not always easy and it takes so much courage to face something so big and scary like your brain and say "I've got the control here." It's up to you to use all of the tools that are at your disposal. Whether that's therapy, medication, supplements, physical activity, acts of self-care - it's up to you to find what works for you! This a 31 Day Mental Wellness Challenge. Commit to checking in and doing those things. What do you have to lose?
If you have anxiety issues, be sure to check out my workbook "Breathe." It has a ton of anxiety tips and coping skills from me to you!
#DayOne
What's one thing you can change in your day to improve your mental health?
I know this one can be hard, especially in the world today, and that's why it's so important to put your mental health at the forefront. Do what you can do. Even if it's something little - choose one thing you can do today and for the next 30.
Music has played a pretty important role in my mental health. When I was younger my music tastes consisted of mainly songs I’d listen to when I wanted to cry, songs I wanted to listen to when I was angry, and songs that I just liked.
What do you struggle with the most when it comes to your mental health and how can you get more support in that way?
What are your top three intentions for each day and how can you meet them?
Little intentions. I'm talking little ones. It's always the baby steps that have made huge impacts on my life. What are three things you can do each day to improve your mental health?
So that's what I want you to do, listen to a guided meditation. There are tons of apps for them nowadays (back in my day you had to find a meditation podcast channel!). InsightTimer is wonderful, Calm is good if you just want to listen to some nature sounds, AND I also have an old blog post that lists some of my favorites.
Today's prompt is: Work on a coping skill that you haven't put into practice in a while.
If you're new to the mental health journey you might not have a full understanding of coping skills. A coping skill is anything that helps you handle/process an emotion in a healthy way. Here are some examples: Journaling. Yoga. Meditation. Physical activity. Talking to a friend. Talking to a therapist. Positive self-talk. Breathing exercises. Calming Activities. Giving back. Time with a hobby. Support groups. Music. Goal setting. Cleaning the house. Going outside.
Instead of worrying the rest of my morning/afternoon away, I'm going to take a deep breath, and then I'm going to make a to-do list, and then I'm going to focus on one thing at a time.
What do you do to bring yourself back to the present?
How do you sabotage your mental health?
Pamper yourself today
Mental health struggles
Focus on resting and relaxing
Spoonie
Mental Health Challenge
What's one thing you can change in your day that will improve your mental health?
Create an emergency music playlist for times when you need some love and comfort. (Here's mine.)
What do you struggle with when it comes to your mental health & how can you get more support there?
What are your top three intentions for each day and how can you meet them?
Work on coping skills you've neglected. (Start meditating again, taking your vitamins, breathing exercises, start seeing a therapist again)
Practice mindfulness today. Don't focus on the past or present - draw yourself back.
How do you make things harder for yourself and how can you reign that in? (Are you staying up too late? Forgetting to eat? Surrounding yourself with toxic people?)
Practice self-care and pamper yourself today. What's your favorite self-care for bad days? (Check out self-care for anxiety)
How have your mental health struggles made you a stronger person?
Focus on resting and relaxing today. It's okay to stop and recharge.
If you're frustrated with your lack of spoons or your mental health - practice radical self-compassion today. It's easy to get frustrated. Show yourself love instead.
If your inbox is crazy full and makes you anxious - go on an unsubscribe spree.
Create sacred space for yourself.
Take a social media break for the day and focus on the life around you.
Do a yoga routine specifically for anxiety or depression, see if it helps. (Check out yoga for mental health - pajama and bed friendly)
What lessons have you learned from your mental health struggles?