SHOW UP FOR YOURSELF

October is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month!

There are so many things we could highlight to discuss the importance of raising awareness relating to mental wellness, but I am going to take this opportunity to foster conversation about mental wellness and encourage you to consider how you may need to support your needs. Here is our monthly blog, all about YOU!

Your needs and overall self-awareness are crucial to your quality of life. Self-awareness involves not just recognizing your thoughts, feelings and actions, but understanding them. This impacts how you present for yourself as you go through the motions of everyday life. Everything your brain says in the background and how you perceive literally every situation. It of course impacts how you show up for others too, whether that's in your family, friendships or professional network. Sounds pretty imperative, doesn’t it? So, let's take the time to recognize what is impacting you. You will be able to feel a greater sense of being, as well as show up in the world with an enhanced view and understanding of yourself as you respond and support yourself intentionally, rather than reactively. 

Once you recognize what is impacting you, you can understand the strengths and limitations that are showing up as you try to navigate through it. You can set realistic goals and expectations that align with your needs, values and beliefs. You will have the opportunity every day to enhance your coping skills to the stressors that present in life that we do not have full control over. You will feel more in control and overall balance, even when life keeps moving and bringing change. You will be more self-aware.

Here are just two small ways to promote an opportunity to become more self-aware:

1. Journaling–I know, everyone always talks about the benefits of journaling, that’s simply because they are all true. Journaling allows you to just show up. There are no expectations, it doesn’t need to make sense, you just write what you feel. You can read and review it. You can throw it away. You can do whatever you want with it. The action of journaling and releasing your thoughts and feelings brings self-awareness, reduces stress, encourages clarity and focus, and reminds you that it is OK to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, even when it is difficult. Journaling Prompts for Consideration: What are two negative mindsets you want to reduce? What can I do to improve my daily habits? Are you doing things to support the life you want to create?

1. Mindfulness- This does not need to be a huge action or ordeal. We can encourage mindfulness in our everyday living rather easily.  It is a powerful tool for enhancing our emotional health and overall balance. Start small, be patient with yourself as you try to be mindful, present in the moment, even as your life continues to unfold around you. This will help regulate your emotions for healthier responses, reduce stress, anxious and depressive indicators, and create a moment to accept your state of being, just as it is. Mindful Moment for Consideration: First, be kind without judgment to yourself. Next, start small. Go to a space that is soothing and with little distraction, focus on your body and get comfortable. Next, focus on the feeling of your breathing and let your thoughts wander (acknowledge the thoughts wandering and focus back to your breath). Lastly, ease back into the rest of your day. This can take a minute or two, or however long you'd like.

Be self-aware. Everything is up to you, your emotions, your mindset, your perception, your reactions. Show up for yourself and keep moving forward to greater self-awareness, healing, and fulfillment.

Julie Shaw, LMSW