12 Ways to Enjoy Memorial Day & Mental Health Awareness Month!
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close and we prepare for Memorial Day, do your best to be gentle with yourself. Stop beating yourself up for all the things that are going wrong and out of your control in your life. Celebrate your time focusing on your wins, be grateful for all that you have, and would like to see enter into your life in abundance.
Try to relax and just be for the rest of this month. What does that mean you ask? It means to be still, live in the moment, and do nothing but listen. Use your senses to become more aware of your surroundings. When you become more conscious, you will start to notice things that may have already been around you rise and become more front and center in your life.
1. Gratitude & A moment of silence
a. Take a moment to give gratitude to the falling soldiers who gave their lives for this country. A moment of silence in honor of the fallen men and women that fought for our future is in order this Memorial Day.
2. Be kind
a. Do something nice for someone in the military or anyone for that matter, including yourself. Don't forget to show a lot of love to yourself. Everything starts with taking good care of self-first.
3. Donate to a cause
a. If you can donate your time or some money to a cause like a military family in need please do so. There is no better time than now to begin to do so.
4. Enjoy some nature time
a. Taking some time to enjoy nature with the water and creatures from around can help one to clear their mind. Hearing the birds chirp and seeing them fly while the waves hit the rocks is refreshing to the senses.
b. There is nothing like taking a dip in the water when it is scorching hot out. Therefore, being at the beach is a wonderful place to go to be in nature too. The feel of the sand from the beach in your toes can be fun and help you to relax and just be in the moment.
5. Reach out and touch someone with your kind words
a. A simple call to say "I am thinking of you". "How are you" Not wanting anything but to let someone know you care can not only make you feel good but them too. Sometimes people just want to talk and may need you to just listen without judgment. Be that sounding board that they need.
6. Dance
a. If you want to release the stresses that are going on around or within you, play some music and get dancing. Dancing is powerful in helping to forget the troubles that may be going on. Dance can take one into a world of pure bliss if just for a moment. Bask in the moment and let nothing get you down for dance is known to improve one's confidence, mood, mental, general, and psychological wellbeing.
7. Laughter
a. Watch a comedy or get around people who makes you laugh. Laughter is indeed good for the soul and can make just about anyone improve their mood which in turn can improve mental health. A belly laugh can have you feeling amazing for days while getting a good abdominal workout.
8. Sing out loud
a. Lift your voice and sing even if your voice is not ideal for anyone else. Sing, it may make you feel good and that is wonderful for your overall health. Don’t let anyone put your singing down; especially if you feel good about it.
9. Tears of happiness
a. Crying is known as a release of emotions from the body. Therefore, it is a healthy thing to do whether happy or sad. Crying can lift your spirits and make you feel better once you are finished. Crying releases oxytocin and endorphins which are known to improve moods. Allowing tears to flow continuously is releasing toxins from your body in the form of energy too.
10. Eat lite
a. Intake lite meals that are not heavy on your digestive system, this will make you feel lighter and will also help to improve your mental health. Don’t want to eat alone, invite a friend, family member to a picnic, to your home, a restaurant somewhere now that things are opening back up. No one has to do anything alone with the number of people on this planet.
11. Hydrate
a. Whether it be water or natural fruit or vegetable juice, do your best to stay hydrated. The brain is made up of 80% water and that is what it needs to function optimally. The slightest dip in levels can throw off anyone’s mental health and well-being.
12. Journal
a. It is so important to get the things that are running through your mind on paper. Dumping the information somewhere safe can be helpful for one's mental health. The tension release can take the weight off your shoulders.
In Conclusion
As Mental Health Month comes to an end, do know there are things that you can do to keep your well-being in good shape for yourself and others. If you or someone you know suffers from mental health issues and you are highly concerned, there is help out there for you and them. Reach out to one of the 5 mental health resources that are listed below for assistance. Help is just a call or text away. You are not alone in your journey through life.
These five mental health resources can #BeTheDifference when you need it most.
1. The National Suicide Prevention Line. This hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7 to people in distress across the United States. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for support.
2. The SAMHSA Helpline. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential information service that provides treatment and support referrals 24/7 to people facing mental illness and addictions. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for support.
3. Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line provides free, confidential support via text message 24/7 to those in crisis situations. Text HOME to 741741 for support.
4. The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project provides free, confidential support 24/7 to LGBTQ youth via a helpline, text and online instant messaging system. Call 1-866-488-7386 for support.
5. The Veterans Crisis Line. The Veterans Crisis line provides free, confidential support 24/7 to veterans, all service members and their family and friends in times of need. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or text 838255 for support.
Reference:
Mental Health First Aid
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/