My Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which means a few things: 1) you probably learned about it while you were doom-scrolling social media, 2) people around the world are openly sharing their mental health stories and suggestions, and 3) it might be one of the few moments a year when you can actually turn inwards and ask yourself how you're doing. And it's okay not to be okay!

It's a bit odd being a therapist and being expected to acknowledge and celebrate MHAM when I practice its principles every hour of every workday. But it's even more interesting to watch how people, who may otherwise never acknowledge their mental health, start to engage in real, authentic conversations about their well-being. With so much information already being spread by brilliant therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and social workers, I'm at a loss for any original take on Mental Health Awareness Month. That's why I've decided to share three things that I, a mental health professional, do to take care of my mental health on a regular basis.

1) Sleep Hygiene

This shouldn't come as a surprise, but it always shocks me to learn how little sleep people think they need. Sleep is the foundation upon which everything else in our lives stands. Sleep Hygiene refers to the practice of ensuring you get AT LEAST 8 hours of consistent, restful sleep each night. In addition to getting a full night's rest, it's important to avoid naps throughout the day, caffeine in the afternoon, and doing work from bed as much as possible. If you take melatonin, it's important to not take more than around 5mg since it can disrupt your body's natural production of melatonin. Having a bedtime routine can also help foster consistency and quality of your nightly rest.

2) Get Artsy

Part of the reason I love my job is because I get to think critically and analytically about clinical cases and develop strategies to help others. But when it comes to helping myself, I realize that I tend to intellectualize my feelings and often neglect my "right brain" whenever I'm processing difficult emotions. To remedy this, I try to make sure I do something artistic at least once a week (or more when I have the time!). Whether I'm drawing, cooking, writing, or enjoying music, I get to engage mental muscles I don't normally use during my work week. If it's feeling harder than usual to tap into more abstract thought, I might inspire myself by viewing art in a magazine, a museum, or even online and pay close attention to the feelings that come up.

3) Meaningful Movement

Even though I spend most of my week comfortably sitting in a therapy chair, finding the time, energy, and motivation for a gym workout is just impossible. That's why I try to do one physical activity a week that feels meaningful to me. My favorite is hot yoga, where I can practice mindfulness, breath work, and personal reflection while also sweating out my toxins and moving my body. I might also do a hike where I can enjoy nature, listen to music, and get some hills in. Whether it's a long walk with a friend, a bike ride through a new town, or a swim at the beach, I try to find ways to move my body for more than just a workout. When movement means also connecting with myself, others, or my environment, I am much more motivated to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Everyone, including therapists, develops their own self-care strategies that help to foster improved stress management, resiliency, and joy. Mental Health Awareness Month is more than just a marketing ploy, but less than a commitment to action. In my opinion, May is a time when we can take stock and see what's working and what's not. Between the seasonal sadness of winter and summertime leisure, every spring allows something new to bloom.

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