May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know that 1 in 4 people in the US have a mental illness? Yet there is still so much stigma around the topic. Even in my work, so many people have a hard time admitting they have anxiety because they don't want to describe themselves as anxious. May has been designated Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S. since 1949. If you or a loved one has ever struggled to keep their mental health in balance, below you will find simple ways to show your support during this time.

PRIORITIZE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Yes, life gets busy. But making time to take are our body and mind is the key to a healthy life.

• Get enough sleep every night • Eating nutrient-rich foods • Cut down on processed foods, sugars and alcohol • Exercise regularly • Practice mindfulness • Take time for yourself • Do activities that you enjoy

START A CONVERSATION

If someone is struggling with their mental health, it can be hard to ask for help. Many times people end up isolating themselves. Reach out to people who you haven’t spoken to in a while. Calling a friend or sending a text message to someone you haven’t heard from in a while is an easy way to brighten someone’s day. One way to start a conversation is to simply ask your loved ones how they are doing.

• How are you? • Are you ok? • Do you need to talk? • What can I do to be there for you? • Is there anything that you need from me? • I want to know how you’re feeling because I care about you.

Remember that you don’t have to offer advice or be their therapist, or do anything to fix their situation. Just letting someone talk and reminding them that you’re there for them may be all they need.

CHECK YOUR BOUNDARIES

This is also a good time to look at your boundaries. Do you often agree to things when you want to say no? Do you surround yourself with toxic people? Take a moment to prioritize your desires and values, and hold those strong in your relationships and throughout your life.

If you feel overwhelmed, consider taking a break. Perhaps you need a getaway. Or maybe you need to take a few personal days off of work. Make time to rest and rejuvenate so that you don't burnout and feel overwhelmed.

SHARE INFORMATION

Sharing information about mental wellness is an easy way to spread awareness. Talk about it on social media. The more we talk about mental health, the more we normalize emotions and the less shame there is around this topic.

LET SOMEONE KNOW THAT THEY’RE NOT ALONE

Many people with mental health disorders tend to isolated themselves. They may think that no one understands them. Share with them your experience with mental illness.

Think about submitting your story to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Sharing your story can give hope to someone who is really struggling. It also allows them to see that it is possible to manage a mental health condition. The more awareness that we can raise during this month, the more we can influence our society to make mental health a priority.

How to stop stressing about things you can't control

I have a confession to make…I have been a controlling person my whole life. Growing up with an alcoholic father made things feel really unstable at home and I remember feeling as a child like there wasn’t an adult in charge. Which made me feel like the only way to stay safe is for me to be in control of everything. Well, as an adult that coping mechanism was not working for me. It was causing me a lot of stress when I felt like I wasn’t in control. And it also created conflicts with people when I was trying to control them.

Here are 4 tips to stop stressing about things you can’t control. The first thing is learn the difference between what you can control and what you can’t. Next, switch to problem solving mode. Instead of stressing out, is there something you can do to change the situation? 3. Find a distraction when you find yourself obsessing over things. Talk to a friend, exercise, journal, do something you like to do. And lastly, identity your emotional triggers.

Mastermind's work

For the last two months I’ve been hosting my Mastermind groups. While each person has very different goals, there are a lot of similar themes. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions. However the lows have brought forth big breakthroughs, which has resulted in so much momentum towards their goals. People are starting businesses, they are taking better care of their health. They are no longer letting the fear keep them paralyzed. They are showing up in their power, speaking up, saying no and asking for help. And best of all, they have a loving community cheering them on every week. I love holding space for them and seeing the transformation happen. I’m so proud of you team! And I’m excited to see what else you manifest over the next month.

What dreams are you currently working towards?

I will be starting the next Mastermind in June. Send an email for more info and to get on the waitlist.