Support Your Mental Health

Most people’s brains automatically associate the word “healthy” with physical health. But mental health is just as important as your physical welfare. Emotional health affects almost every single aspects of your life, from how you make decisions, how you interact with others, and how you respond to situations.

Acknowledging your mental health and learning how to deal with it are imperative to your well being and living a life by design instead of default. When you understand how to manage and counteract the negative aspects in your life (and we all have them to some degree), your health and quality of life will improve.

A healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day and I would like to show support by giving you some tips and ideas to help you look after your mental health.

1. Talk About Your Feelings

Talking about your feelings is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. Being able to take ownership of your mental well being by sharing your emotions, your feelings and even your fears is powerful. Asking for help is courageous. Having someone listen to you will help you feel more supported. And you don’t know who you will inspire to seek out help by seeing you ask for support.

2. Stay Active

Studies prove that exercising regularly could lower the risk of depression. Physical exercise can boost your self-esteem, help you concentrate, sleep and feel better. Physical activity can be as simple as walking. The more fresh air you breathe means you breathe in more oxygen, increasing the amount of serotonin in your body.

3. Eat Well

Having a healthy and balanced diet affects how you feel both physically and mentally. Nutrition is the foundation of wellness. Try to include a healthy amount of proteins, essential fats, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water in your daily routine.

4. Keep in Touch and Learn to Let go

If you have people in your life who support you and care about you try to make time to see them regularly or, at least, give them a call. If you think being around someone is negatively influencing your mental health, don’t be afraid to let them go or create strong boundaries to their presence in your life. Rid yourself of toxic relationships and focus on the relationships that bring you joy and positive feelings.

5. Sleep More

Sleep is the most underestimated factor when thinking about overall health. Studies suggest the average adult should get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. This act of self-care is essential for your mind and your bodies repair cells that need tending to in this time. When you sleep your body literally cleanses and restores itself. If you have troubled sleep, start by making small lifestyle adjustments like creating a relaxing environment in your room before sleep, eat earlier to give your body the proper amount of time to digest before you go to bed and limit screen time up to 2 hours before you are ready to sleep.

**I know if you have a new baby or small kids it can be hard to get quality sleep. Just try to do the best you can with the season of life you’re in.

6. Take a Break

In today’s world, the idea of giving your mind a break from functioning can seem impossible. A lot of the time your mind may be in overdrive because there is endless stimuli coming from so many different platforms that can hold your attention. Smartphones, tablets, computers and TV are just a few examples, and if you never take any time out from technology, you will not be doing your mental health any favors. Take a mini digital detox every week, even for just half a day or a couple of hours.

7. Accept Who You Are

Don’t ever be afraid to be yourself and accept that you are who you are: you do not need to be like anyone else. Work towards being a better version of yourself and not a different one to gain approval from others.

8. Do Something You Love

Do you have a dream you always wanted to achieve? A new skill you never had time to learn? Work on your daily schedule to fit in an activity that fulfills you and keeps you motivated (don’t feel like you have time? Try block scheduling). Even if it’s for 15-30 minutes of your day doing something for you, where you can be yourself and enjoy life matters.

9. Care for Others

Volunteering, taking an active role in your community or just giving a helping hand to a person in need are all excellent ways of building new relationships. Being able to help someone can give you a new perspective on your own problems and make you feel needed and valued.

10. Use Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. Certified pure essential oils can be used to support your emotional well being by creating a sense of calmness or producing an uplifting environment.

Top uplifting oils and blends: Wild Orange, Citrus Bliss, Cheer,
Peppermint and Motivate.

Top calming oils and blends are: Adaptive, Serenity, Lavender, Peace and Balance

Applying essential oils for emotional benefits: When you’re ready to use essential oils for emotional well being, there are a few ways to effectively experience the potency and power they have to offer. When you find the oil you want to use, try any of these application methods: Massage onto the base of the skull Use an essential oil diffuser Apply a drop to the palms and inhale Rub into the wrist and carry the aroma with you all day

11. Use CBD

CBD has been scientifically shown to have anti-stress effects and works with receptors in the brain to help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Users have reported a 50% reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. With daily use of CBD, you can help your endocannabinoid system run more smoothly, which in turn could positively affect your sleep, mood, and metabolism. Some people say that daily use of CBD helps them reduce mental strain and cope better with their daily stress due to its relaxing effects that help the body stay balanced (in homeostasis). CBD is legal in all 50 states and just like essential oils you want to use a pure, high quality grade product that has been rigorously tested for heavy metals, glyphosate and foreign contaminants.

Finally, don’t be afraid to seek extra help. When your quest for an emotionally-balanced life becomes overwhelming, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reaching out to friends and family and seeking professional help can provide you with extra help on your journey to better emotional health.