Celebrating Mental Health Week
This year marks the 68th year of Mental Health Awareness Week taking place May 6 -12th, 2019. Mental Health is just like physical health, we all have one and we have to take care of it. The Canadian Mental Health Association defines mental health as “being more than being happy all the time. It’s about feeling good about who you are, having balance in your life, and managing life’s highs and lows.” With the growing awareness of mental health, its helping remove the stigma and open the conversation. As a care giver, checking in on the state of your senior’s mental health is as crucial as checking-in with your mental health. This allows you and your senior to have a good sense of self, purpose, contribution, hope, resilience and belonging.
Four Ways To Make A Difference In Your Mental Health:
1. “Don’t Be In Your Own Head”
Sometimes our thoughts begin to spiral out of control as we start thinking about a problem or if something isn’t sitting right with us. Talking regularly with someone about your feelings can help you cope as they offer advice or a listening ear.
2. Remember to Rest
We all have that to-do list that keeps growing. It’s time to ask for some support and take a break. A simple change in scenery can be enough to get your mental health back on track. Break the every-day routine by finding a detour, a new walking trail, or listen to a new audio books that brings on a new adventure. Schedule ‘me time’ in your to-do list.
3. Creating Boundaries
Work, responsibilities, or family circumstances can easily feel overwhelming. It’s important to protect your mental health and create boundaries with your family, friends or loved ones. Setting healthy boundaries is an important part of establishing one’s identity. It also allows you to schedule that ‘me time’ mentioned above.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Have you eaten an entire bag of popcorn and then thought “how did this happen?” We go through our days multitasking, jumping from one task to another, trying to complete our to-do list, and asking ourselves ‘Where did the day go?’ It’s vital to practice mindfulness to calm the mind, and remind yourself to live and enjoy the present moment.
Self-care is the new item that needs to be at the top of your to-do list. We aren’t superhumans, and it’s not worth jeopardizing your mental health. Check in on your mental health by going through the CMHA’s checklist.
