May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, the perfect opportunity to check in with yourself and your loved ones. Due to the stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental illness, often people don’t seek out treatment. It’s easy for everyday tasks to take a toll on yourself. Taking small steps to help prioritize mental wellness can make a long-lasting meaningful impact to your daily life. Below are some steps to take to help prioritize your mental health:
Practice Self-Care
Practice reflecting on the positive aspects in your life. incorporate mediation, deep breath and journaling into yourself care routine. This will help you pause your busy day to reset, calm your mind and reduce anxieties.
Strengthen Social Connections
As human beings we thrive on social interactions and community relationships. Make a habit of trying to get together with those friends and family members that bring you joy and happiness. Remember you are never too old or young to make new friends, try volunteering, trying a new hobby or joining a new group to meet new people.
Participate in Stress Reducing Activities
Move your body. Incorporating regular exercise is shown to improve mental health as it helps reduce stress and anxiety. Exercise can feel overwhelming to many, start slowly by taking walks, biking, stretching, or doing yoga.
Seek Professional Help
If you notice that your mental health or the mental health of a loved one is negatively impacting daily life, it may be time to speak with a mental health professional. Therapy is a sign of strength and can help provide you with healthy coping strategies.
Lexi Muchnick, LCSW, PMH-C
Lexi is passionate about helping individuals and their families master the regulation of their emotions and behaviors so they can thrive. This includes supporting her clients through the big and small transitions that come up in life.
When working with individuals, Lexi’s specialty areas include anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and adjustment issues. Lexi supports young adults transitioning into college and adulthood, including college check-ins to monitor academic, social, and emotional growth. As a mom of two young children Lexi also works with individuals navigating perinatal mental health challenges.
