May is Mental Health Awareness and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. Today, May 7th, is also International Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day.
In this post of the Self Care Series, I'd like to share some of the things on my self care plan that covers mental health.
In this post of the Self Care Series, I'd like to share some of the things on my self care plan that covers mental health.
To be holistically well, we have to include mental health in our care plans. Mental Health isn't about being "crazy" or "broken", but when we neglect our mental and emotional needs we can certainly feel that way. Making mental health a priority allows for us to have the energy and facilities to do other things as well. Have you ever just had such a bad day, you just no longer had the energy or motivation to do anything at all? Sometimes a mental health break is in order.
So what do I do when I need a mental health break?
1. Meditation/Quiet time: This doesn't have to be a long time. Five minutes of meditation or stillness may be all you need. But if you need an hour, take it!
2. Journaling: This is something I've recently started again, as an off and on activity. I do it as a kind of "brain dump", when I have so much on my mind and having a hard time focusing, I just put it all in my journal. Writing until I feel less stress. You can write, create an art journal, make a "smash" book, or all of it in one. Whatever you need, since a journal is personal.
3. Massage: (of course!) It's known to relieve stress. Occasionally, some people experience what we call an "emotional release" on the table, where as the physical tensions are relief the barriers holding back emotions tied to that tension comes down as well. Which leads into....
4. Seeking professional help/Counsel: Seeing counselor or psychiatrist doesn't mean you are "crazy". They are there to offer a safe place to vent and help build coping skills, among other therapies and treatments.
I'm not a mental health professional, but sometimes it has come up when I would recommend clients to see a professional. As a doula or massage therapist, I know how important mental health care can be to overall well-being but it just isn't my place or scope to offer counseling. I can be an ear to listen at times, but it may be more than what I can offer ethically and legally. And with Maternal Mental Health, I am often on the look out for signs that a new mother may be a little TOO overwhelmed. In those instances, I do offer an ear, ALONG WITH resources and contacts for professionals.
So tell me, how do you take care of your Mental Health? Do you have ideas you're willing to share?
1. Meditation/Quiet time: This doesn't have to be a long time. Five minutes of meditation or stillness may be all you need. But if you need an hour, take it!
2. Journaling: This is something I've recently started again, as an off and on activity. I do it as a kind of "brain dump", when I have so much on my mind and having a hard time focusing, I just put it all in my journal. Writing until I feel less stress. You can write, create an art journal, make a "smash" book, or all of it in one. Whatever you need, since a journal is personal.
3. Massage: (of course!) It's known to relieve stress. Occasionally, some people experience what we call an "emotional release" on the table, where as the physical tensions are relief the barriers holding back emotions tied to that tension comes down as well. Which leads into....
4. Seeking professional help/Counsel: Seeing counselor or psychiatrist doesn't mean you are "crazy". They are there to offer a safe place to vent and help build coping skills, among other therapies and treatments.
I'm not a mental health professional, but sometimes it has come up when I would recommend clients to see a professional. As a doula or massage therapist, I know how important mental health care can be to overall well-being but it just isn't my place or scope to offer counseling. I can be an ear to listen at times, but it may be more than what I can offer ethically and legally. And with Maternal Mental Health, I am often on the look out for signs that a new mother may be a little TOO overwhelmed. In those instances, I do offer an ear, ALONG WITH resources and contacts for professionals.
So tell me, how do you take care of your Mental Health? Do you have ideas you're willing to share?
