Mental Health Month: How to Participate from Home
As you may already know, May is Mental Health Month. This month is intended to bring awareness to mental health and mental illness and to fight the stigma around mental illness. We wanted to support this month, by sharing some ways that you can take care of your mental health.
It is important that we all take care of ourselves and allow ourselves time to heal and rest. Here are 5 simple things you can do to show yourself some love:
1
Rest
One way to take care of yourself is to make sure you are getting the right amount of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can cause increased stress in your life and contribute to depression. To improve your sleep schedule, research the recommended amount of sleep you should be getting. Then, try to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day. This small change will give your body the rest it needs to have the energy it needs to get you through the day.
2
Go Outside
Try going outside on a nice day and taking a walk or reading a book. Simply sitting outside can help improve your mood. Being outside for as little as 5 minutes can be beneficial and provide you with much-needed vitamin D. Going outside can also improve your memory, strengthen your immune system, and reduce stress.
3
Journal
Journaling can be a great way to express your thoughts and let out your feelings. Whether you feel happy or sad, it can be a great way to document your day. Later, you can look back through your journal and see the progress you have made. You can use a blank journal or you could try using a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal is a journal used for expressing and listing out what someone is grateful for.
4
Volunteer
Spend time volunteering somewhere. Volunteering has been proven to reduce stress and even bring happiness. Volunteering somewhere can help give you a sense of purpose and can greatly help your community. Consider volunteering somewhere for a few hours a week.
5
Do Something Fun
Lastly, try doing something this week that just brings you joy. If you have a hobby, spend some time on it this week. If you enjoy reading, find a new book to start this week. Take time to enjoy the things you love and spend time with the people you love.
Here are some resources if you are interested in learning more about Mental Health Month and how to participate:
https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month
https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Month