How to keep your mental health in check
- 8 Comments
- ATLANTA, GA
Today is World Mental Health day which also happens to be the 13 year anniversary of my Father’s Death. Needless to say, but today is my least favorite day of the year. After my dad died I found out that he struggled with mental health his entire life. Talking to my Dad though, you would never know he had depression or anxiety.
“You don’t have to be positive all the time. It’s perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious. Having feelings doesn’t make you a negative person. It makes you human.”
My was a true hippie in every sense. He loved blues music & 60’s/70’s rock, grew his own weed (hey, I’m being honest) and he even drove a red VW Bus at one time. My Dad was also never without a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.
On the outside my Dad was the life of the party. On the inside though, he was kind of a mess. In all my years growing up though, I never saw any issues. He kept all of his struggles private. I only ever saw love and happiness radiating from him. Part of me is happy I didn’t see that side of him. On the same hand, though I feel sad for him because he kept it all inside. His generation didn’t ask for help and they kept their mental health issues private. To this day mental health carries this stigma of negativity and it shouldn’t because talking about our mental health can save lives.
My own struggles with mental health issues
I myself, have suffered from anxiety and depression for many years also. I can also say that losing my Dad very suddenly also has taken it’s toll on my mental health over the years. It never gets easier for me. Here we are 13 years later and I’d be lying if I told you I’m ok. I feel cheated. There are so many unanswered questions. So many things he missed out on and will continue to miss out on in my life and the lives of my kids. I struggle wondering what personal hell he went through in silence…same as me. Could I have helped him in some way had I known. I often wonder if anxiety & depression is hereditary and did it pass from him to me…Is that part of why I am the way I am? Who knows. Add in Covid and quarantine isolation and you have a recipe for some severe depression. I know I’m not alone in my feelings though.
The last year and a half has been rough on all of us. Covid combined with the social injustices and political warfare we see all day on social media and the news are enough to make anyone lose their mind. I will tell you what helps me keep my mental health in check when I find my depression or anxiety creeping in….
fresh air and sunshine
Ok I know it sounds cliché but it’s no secret that Vitamin D is crucial to your mood. The sun is our primary source of Vitamin D though and there’s nothing like feel the warmth of the sun of your face. It really is an instant mood booster. This time of year though the weather is getting colder and the days are getting shorter so it is crucial to get out and soak up as many sunny days as possible while you still can. If you can’t get out as much as you’d like to make sure you take a Vitamin D supplement or try a sun lamp. There are tons of sun/happy lamps on the market now that are specifically made for seasonal depression. Better yet if your finances permit, treat yourself on a fall/winter getaway to somewhere warm!
Now is a great time to visit the tropics when the summer crowds have died down and prices are lower. Sometimes just the weeks leading up to a trip and the excitement building are enough to keep any bad feelings of depression at bay! I have an upcoming trip with my husband and our best friends in two weeks to a sunny destination and I know it’s going to be the perfect little getaway for all of us before the hectic holidays are here.
find what you love and do it often
Do you love to crochet, read, paint or do you have some other activity that sparks happiness within you? Keeping your mental health in check sometimes means seeking out your own happiness. Was there something you loved doing before the days of social media? Pick up that lost hobby and do it again. Pick up a book if you loved reading! Go dust off your bicycle and go for a bike ride or go for a run! If you loved painting, check out a local painting class. You may be surprised to find you still have hobbies and talents that you are still good at! Personally I love to macramé. That is one amazing talent my Dad and Mom both passed down to me and something that de-stresses me when I feel my anxiety creeping in.
put your phone down and spend time
There is nothing better than spending time with friends and family offline without your phone. I’m serious. If you don’t have a significant other spend time with your friends and family and don’t post it on social media. There is nothing more relaxing than truly hanging out with people you care about and not thinking about getting a great picture to post on Instagram. At the end of the day, memories made are more important that documenting the moment in a photo. We could all use a daily detox from our phones anyway.
talk about it and seek help when needed
There have been times in my own life where I felt like no matter what I did nothing helped me feel better. I’ve had my own peronal struggles that I’ve dealt with in silence for many years. Needless to say the pretty picture on social media can be 99% illusion compared to the train wreck under the surface, so be kind to people because you never know what they struggle with.
Talking a counselor/therapist or close friend you trust can lift the weight of depression and anxiety off your shoulders. You should never feel ashamed or embarrassed about your mental health issues. If you feel like no matter what you do you can’t get out of that funk I encourage you to talk to a medical professional and get medication if needed. I used to take Lexapro and Alprazolam for my own anxiety and at the time it was needed. Those medications helped me tremendously and there is no shame in trying to keep your mental health in check.
If you are suffering from any degree of mental health issues, please know that you are not alone and things can get better if you want them to. There are people in your life that love you and care so put your phone down, get out and go find your happiness because you deserve it!
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Erica
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This is one of the most important issues when comes to our wellbeing. So many people suffer from mental illness, some of them don’t even know that they have it. Your skirt is gorgeous, love that you wear it with the boots
lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au
Thank you Anna! Yes I totally agree….So many people don’t even know they have it and struggle their entire lives not knowing there is help out there.
Erica, I am so sorry for your loss. And I appreciate your sensitivity to the perspective of those who are struggling.
Blessings to you!
Thank you so much Michele. I truly don’t think will ever get used to or accept losing my dad and yes I think we all need to be more sensitive to those struggling with mental health issues. For some its a daily awful battle and I wish I could help everyone to find some relief and happiness and healing.
I am sorry hon about your Dad. My dad had depression when I was younger and I was to little to remember. I have anxiety and take medication for it, so it is managed, but some days are better than others. I do think it is important to talk about and discuss your feelings as keeping things in only makes things harder. So agree about the sun and vitamin D, we moved to NC from Pittsburgh, as the grey weather was really getting to me, and I have a tough time with SAD in the winter months. Your skirt is so pretty and I love it with the white boots.
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you Jess! I’m so sorry you have to deal with anxiety too! It sucks. At least you have medication to help. I used to take Lexapro and Alprazolam for mine but i had to stop because I also have RLS and it triggered the RLS so bad and it was torture trying to sleep. I do want to go back to my primary soon though to try an alternative if possible but so far I am managing my anxiety ok ….for now
Sorry for your loss, what a painful day for you. I really think that it’s important to talk about thins when they are worrying us and it’s good you’ve found things that help you cope 🙂
this is such a pretty skirt too!
Thanks for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup 🙂
Hope you are having a great weekend 🙂 We finally have a sunny day after some rainy ones so will make the most of it!
Thank you so much Mica! Yes talking about this is sooo importaant sadly so many people are still embarrassed or ashamed of mental health issues….or even in denial!