The Strength of Your Feelings
May is National Health and Fitness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. There’s a reason why these two go hand-in-hand. Leading a healthy lifestyle includes a total package of balanced nutrition, physical movement and being aware of your emotions.
In the midst of a pandemic, how are you feeling? No, really. How are you feeling? There’s a lot happening around us. There’s a need to stay informed and plugged in. A pressure to perform. A worry about finances and the long-term effect this will have on the economy. We’re trying to keep up with aging parents, social justice issues and have time for a good laugh with friends over the latest Netflix obsession.
We are here to tell you, it is 100% okay to allow yourself to feel. Everyone has emotions and you have a right to feel. The important thing is to not ignore how you are feeling. Here’s a few tips from Mental Health America on how to get to strong, mentally healthy place:
Talk it out. In the days of social media, we often find ourselves venting online. It’s best to find someone you can trust to talk through your feelings with. People are eager to share their similar experiences. However, if what you really need is just someone to listen, say that. It’s okay to ask for an ear. We like to also say, ask the person if they are in a space to receive what you are saying. Sometimes our go-to person needs a break as well.
Build your emotional vocabulary. Things can be deeper than just good, bad or sad. Grab a piece of paper and write down as many “feeling” words your can think of. See if there are in a patterns or how many of the words describe where you currently are.
See a mental health professional. This may be the most important step. Mental health providers are trained to help you tap into your emotions. Your employer might have an Employee Assistance Program that offers a limited number of free sessions. You can also tap into apps like Calm and Headspace when you experience moments of stress. These apps offer guided meditations to help you clear your head and address what you are feeling.
Journal. There are so many ways to get our your thoughts with a simple piece of paper. Find a prayer journal to help you tap into your deeper thoughts. Keep a notebook by your nightstand and write down three feelings you had over the course of a day. Or keep track of what’s been happening lately and keep it as a momento for the future. Maybe you chronicle a new hobby you’ve started, leaders who have stood out in the midst of this madness and large news events, or how your day-to-day has changed. Just a few sentences or bullet points will do in helping you become comfortable with identifying & expressing your emotions.
We are here to help you with that last bullet point. Below are some writing prompts to help you clear your head over the next few weeks. Keep an eye on our Instagram account for additional opportunities to screengrab these and share.
