Whether you’re among the 1 in 5 adults in the United States who experience some sort of depression or anxiety or could simply benefit from boosting your well-being, practicing self-care is an important part of staying well so you can be there to support the ones you love. Here are some strategies to help:

Stay Connected

Anxiety, grief and worry can be difficult to keep at bay, especially if you’re keeping socially distant from others due to Covid-19 or other reasons. However, human connection can play a big role in maintaining your well-being. Consider these options:

  • Connect with your family: in some families talking about mental health is an everyday occurrence. For other families, it may be a challenging topic and awkward. But the more you do it, the more comfortable it will feel — for you and for them.
  • Connect with yourself: Learning about your mental health may help you understand your hard times are not your fault. Try journaling about your experiences or making a list of your accomplishments to turn back to when you are feeling low.
  • Connect with others: Connecting virtually with positive, loving people you care about and trust may ease stress and help your mood. Consider sharing your concerns and how you’re feeling with a friend or family member.
  • Connect with your community: It’s easier to feel strong and resilient in times of stress when you’re connected to a broad community. Consider volunteering with a community organization that helps fill a need. Giving to others can help build a community bond and increase your support network.

Self-care Tips

Living with a mental health condition may be taxing emotionally, physically and mentally. Making self-care a priority can bring joy and help boost your ability to deal with stress, solve problems, think flexibly, and even fight disease. Use the following tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Mental Health America to take care of your emotional health:

  • Take care of your body: Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
  • Take breaks: Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Try participating in activities you usually enjoy.
  • Seek help when needed: If distress impacts activities of your daily life for several days or weeks, talk to a clergy member, counselor or doctor. If you need someone to reach out to for mental health support, contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-985-5990 for help.

 Resources

For more information or to find treatment and support, you can refer to these resources:

  • Mental Health America: Visit the “Finding Help” page for information on mental health conditions and links to resources in your area.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment and support, and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: if you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org to access support via chat.
  • Substance Use Disorder Helpline: Call 1-855-780-5955 for assistance with substance use disorders, including treatment resources.

Make this month about building awareness of your mental health and those close to you, so you can live a mentally healthy life.

Did you know mindfulness meditation can help your mental health and overall well-being?

Attend our Introduction to Mindfulness Workshop where you can discover, practice and learn meditation techniques to incorporate into your daily well-being routine. This month we’re offering midday and evening sessions to make it easy to attend. Our midday session is ideal for workplaces that want
to empower their employees with mindfulness in their workday. Learn more here: May Mindfulness Workshop.