There is such a stigma around mental health that it has caused many people to be so broken that insufficiency, inadequacy, trauma, dysfunction, bitterness, etc. has become their “norm”, what’s “expected” and, unconsciously, a magnetic invitation for others to inflict the same upon them.
Women’s Health.gov defines mental health as “our cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being – it is all about how we think, feel, and behave. The term ‘mental health’ is sometimes used to mean an absence of a mental disorder.”Making your mental health a priority has nothing to do with being labeled as “crazy”, “having issues” or whatever your term has been used to describe it. It’s about taking care of the mind, heart and soul of who you are underneath all of the masks, labels, expectations, hurt, disappointments, etc. that have been experienced over the length of your life. That’s a lot of layers!! We all get overwhelmed at times, and there are instances when we don’t realize that the issues we thought we’d buried (years of trauma, unhealthy parenting or surroundings, etc.) are still having residual effects on what we are experiencing today. It could be the reason why communication issues and uncontrolled emotions are present, that there are difficulties in receiving/giving love, low self-esteem issues/feelings or worthlessness, feeling “stuck”, cyclical dysfunctional relationships, and a myriad of other “symptoms”.
If you’re only consulting with yourself (Prov. 3:7) or those who are linear to you, you’re limiting your range of efficacy to truly address the underlying issues that might be present. There are times when you need someone more qualified than you, who can pull you up and out, so you can see the disarray that you’re in from a higher perspective. Proverbs 11:14 says “where there is no counsel, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety”. I’ve sought out Christian counselors to assist in life’s most trying times, including after the death of my mother when it was truly hard to see hope in “tomorrow”, and it’s also helped me work through issues that I never would’ve thought were connected. It has provided me valuable tools to assist in recognizing and breaking cycles of dysfunction, has truly released burdens and opened my understanding to different perspectives.
Change may not happen overnight but making a conscious effort should definitely be apparent. Preventative care is the best care. Below are some suggestions of other ways to take care of “you” on a continual basis:
- Start a prayer journal
- Take a walk or start exercising
- Start a hobby or take a class
- Have a “me day” where you do something that brings you joy and relaxation
- Get a massage or mani/pedi (make a monthly treat, if finances allow)
- Create an “at home spa”
- Go to the beach or take a much needed vacation
- Read a book
- Find some way to grow mentally, physically and spiritually everyday:)
Written May 2, 2019
Bountiful Health & Wellness 