Tag: suicide awareness

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

In honor of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s remember to be kind to others and practice self-care towards ourselves.

Some simple acts of kindness may be offering a compliment, a smile, a simple recognition of someone’s time or efforts, or even a kind thought. Pass it forward when in line at your local coffee shop, restaurant, or any place of business, by offering to pay for the customer in line behind you. Kindness is contagious. Watch and see as your act of kindness passes onto the next person.

When we put out positive energy, it surpasses the ability beyond our circle and flows out into the universe, surrounding others who may later come into direct contact with us, either knowingly or unknowingly. Have you ever noticed that when you are smiling and engaging in eye-contact, others notice this light in you and often will smile back at you? Afterall, we are made up of energy, and that energy is transferred from us to others; subsequently, having a domino effect. We smile at someone, making them feel good inside, and they transfer that energy to the next person, and so on and so on.

Recognizing self-care is also important, not only during the month of May but throughout the year. One way to do this is through diet and exercise. I believe a healthy diet with a regular exercise plan is always a good resource to lift my spirits. Sometimes our mood drops when our bodies are not properly nourished. Regular exercise is known to increase serotonin in the brain, as well as endorphins. These natural occurring chemicals help to boost our energy, enhancing our moods.

The second factor to a healthy diet and exercise is that it has a direct impact on our self-esteem. When we feel good about ourselves, we have a better perspective and attitude about who we are and our lives in general. Some examples of a healthy meal may consist of a balance of nutrients from protein (beans are an excellent source if you are a vegetarian), carbohydrates (brown rice, whole grain, quinoa, edamame), vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, and lots of water. Exercise can be anything that you love, such as the gym, a brisk walk, swimming, bicycle, yoga, stretching, or Pilates to name a few. I love to do yoga several times a week. During the summer months I get out to the lake on my paddleboard and during the winter months I love to ski with my daughter.

Most importantly, pick something that you enjoy and have fun doing it. This will allow you to continue exercising without thinking of it as a chore. And of course, take a day off from exercise if you are feeling tired and find something that may be more relaxing, but still a positive coping tool, such as reading a book or baking.

So, the next time you are out and about, thinking that your smile, compliment, or positive thought doesn’t make a difference, redirect that thinking process towards a more positive perspective because it does make a difference. This is what we all need during turbulent times – positive energy flowing through ourselves and into the universe, not hate, but pure love and kindness.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideations there is help. Reach out to someone you trust or contact the suicide 988 Lifeline at https://988lifeline.org/ or texting 988.

You are not alone, and you matter!