Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — let us take a few moments to highlight the importance of mental well-being, and to reflect on ways to dismantle the stigmas surrounding it. Mental health is foundational to our overall well-being. It influences how we think, feel, and engage with and experience the world around us. We hope this month serves as a reminder to attend to your mental health, learn to recognize the signs of distress, and foster a culture of support and compassion.
We live unique and nuanced lives and our mental health is equally as complex as it is inextricably intertwined with just about every aspect of life. For example, our mental health affects our general well-being, physical health and immune system, relationships, productivity and performance, coping abilities, prevention of mental illness, and quality of life. AND our mental health is influenced by a myriad of things from biological factors (like genetics, brain chemistry, and hormone imbalances), life experiences and adverse childhood experiences (family dysfunction, exposure to violence, trauma, abuse, neglect, major life changes, etc.), chronic stress, social problems (isolation, discrimination, lack of a support system or access to resources), physical health, lifestyle choices (think diet, physical activity, alcohol/substance use or abuse), environmental factors (like living in unsafe or unstable conditions), to the pressures of social and cultural expectations.
Think of your mental health as the engine of a car. Similar to a car requiring regular maintenance — oil changes and tune-ups — your mind needs consistent care to function smoothly. Ignoring warning lights like chronic stress or burnout is similar to driving with the “check engine” light on. You’ll get by for a while, but eventually, the engine will stall… until it receives the repair it was attempting to alert you to. Sometimes the repair looks like recognizing our limits and choosing to honor them. This can look like limiting our time spent at the office. With more hours of sunlight, it is easy to feel like we have more time and should spend it “productively”. Taking time for self-care, rest (or play and creativity!), and emotional check-ins keep your mental engine running efficiently.
As with anything, early detection helps reduce severity. Below are ways to begin raising your awareness to your own mental health.
Self-Reflection: Regularly check in with yourself about how you feel emotionally, mentally, and physically. Ask questions like:
How am I feeling? Do I feel overwhelmed or anxious?
How am I sleeping? Am I eating properly?
Do I feel connected to others or isolated?
Is there someone I can turn to for support?
How long have I been feeling this way?
Notice any new or persistent symptoms like:
Constant fatigue or insomnia
Loss of interest in activities
Increased irritability or anger
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Social withdrawal
Track Mood and Behavior: Keep a journal to record mood patterns, stressors, triggers, and changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels.
Assess Coping Strategies: Reflect on how you cope with stress. Are your coping mechanisms healthy and adaptive (e.g., physical activity, breathing exercises, talking to friends) or maladaptive (e.g., substance use, isolation, shopping, etc.)?
Seek Feedback: Ask trusted friends or family members if they’ve noticed changes in your behavior, mood, or interactions.
Consult a Professional: Aka US! We love building relationships with our clients to help them seek and sustain the life they want to live.
Mental health requires our continuous attention. If any of this piques your interest, reach out to hello@anomalytherapy.com and request a free consultation to learn more about the services we offer.
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