In the month of May, we have been highlighting Mental Health Awareness Month and various topics related to Mental Healthcare this month on the Friday Facts Live Series. As a physician, I seek to help those challenged by mental health conditions by destigmatizing mental health conditions and the need for support, and by educating others on helpful ways of improving their own mental health and on helpful ways to be a supporter for others who are experiencing mental health challenges.
For today’s Mental Health discussion, I wanted to chat with you on the topic of “Feeling Fabulous.”
This morning I shared with my newsletter subscribers that 1 in 5 U.S. Adults is currently living with a Mental Health condition. And, that the top 3 most common Mental Health conditions suffered amongst U.S. adults are Anxiety (being #1), Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
We live in a society that glamorizes external appearances and material possessions at the expense of sometimes neglecting the impact on our mental health. So when I use the term Feeling Fabulous, give some thought as to what that could look like for you. What makes you feel fabulous? Is it gathering with certain loved ones in your life? Is it breathing fresh air? Is it taking a bite of your favorite cupcake? What makes you feel fabulous?
Mental health has to take into account your emotional health and well-being. And within this state of well-being, discovering and cultivating what makes you thrive despite life's inevitable challenges and hardships.
To do this, you have to be aware of your mindset and the messages that you are sending and receiving within. Are those messages positive or negative?
Strive to cultivate a positive mindset using positive affirmations, breathing exercises, and surrounding yourself with people who treat you well and those who make you feel good about yourself.
Self-care is also helpful in achieving the feeling of being your fabulous best self. It's okay to be SELFISH and prioritize yourself and your health, both physical health and mental health. Self-care is essential and allows us to recharge, rejuvenate, and restore our mental balance. Self-care can come in the form of reading a book from your favorite book genre, taking a warm bath, listening to your favorite genre of music, or even just taking a nap. Be selfish and prioritize YOU.
Also, keep in mind that there is power in the community! Your community can help you to Feel Fabulous! When we connect with those around us who we may share a common interest, it serves us with the power of connection. We are inherently meant to be social as human beings and our mental health can thrive when we are connected with a community environment that offers support, understanding, and compassion.
This is one of the key components of The Essence of Health Signature Coaching Program that was vital to incorporate into the program; a community group where individuals can share with one another their challenges and wins alike. Because it's so important to not feel alone when facing a challenge.
Through meaningful connections with others, we can share our struggles, seek guidance and support, and offer empathy to one another. Seek and be a helper in creating safe spaces where conversations about mental health can flourish, free from stigma and judgment so that we can foster a society that embraces and supports mental well-being.
Part of the “awareness” of Mental Health Awareness Month is the act of being kind.
I recently came across a great acronym for the word THINK that encourages us to be mindful of our words:
T - Think is it True?
H - Think is it Helpful?
I - Think is it Inspiring?
N - Think is it Necessary?
K - Think is it Kind?
If you can think about your impact on others you can accomplish Feeling Fabulous and spread the feeling of fabulous to those around you. What a concept huh!
May you Feel Fabulous at some point in your life every day of the week! And be a supporter to promote well-being to others and inspire them to Feel Fabulous!
Let’s prioritize our mental health, not just in the month of May but for every day of the year.
If you or a friend or family member are experiencing a mental health crisis, I encourage you to reach out immediately to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can call 988, 24 hours, 7 days a week. You can also text the word HOME to 741741. Or go online for an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
If you have felt down, sad, tearful, anxious, having trouble sleeping, or have problems with concentration; all of these could be signs of a mental health condition. I encourage you to reach out to your local doctor for support and resources. If you do not have a doctor, there are some free online screening resources to help you understand what condition you may be experiencing.
The Essence of Health is in You!