[Original post 10.9.2019]

This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week, with Mental Health Day being tomorrow. Mental Health is damn sure important!

I use to push myself to go to work or attend events on days when I really felt like I needed to stay in bed or just seclude myself from people. Now, I use sick days instead.

Let's be real, most of us work jobs that will replace us in the blink of an eye. An assistant manager that my boyfriend knows was found unresponsive one morning last week, her manager placed a "Now Hiring" sign out that same day. As sad as it is, it's not uncommon.

Our overall health is important but mental health is what's most important. If your mind isn't healthy, how can you truly prevail in all other aspects of life. No matter your accolades, if you're mentally unhealthy, when you're in solitude none of them will matter.

You have to realize that no one will care about your mental health like you do. So here are some suggestions I have (and follow) to promote good mental health:

1. Say no when you need to. If you're like me, you often get caught up saying yes to everything and everyone. You make yourself constantly available to those who have a special place in your heart (which is probably almost everyone close to you). Say no to going places and doing things when you simply need time to yourself. It's okay to put YOU first.

2. Put your phone on DND often. I have my settings set to automatically turn on do not disturb from 11pm to 7am every day. There are also days like today though where I will put my phone on DND for an entire day. It's very healthy to limit others access to you.

3. Get some sleep. This isn't always easy but I have noticed that I feel better when I've had a decent amount of sleep. I'm not only more energized, I'm happier and my mind seems less cloudy.

4. If feasible, seek some sort of counseling or at least a small group of some sort. Whether you meet in person, online, or just talk on the phone, having someone (or a group) that supports you mentally is very helpful. Especially on those bad days when you need someone to unload your weight on (in a healthy way).

5. Do something that makes you happy often! Whether it's weekly, biweekly, or monthly, you just need to make time for yourself. For example, I try to go to church most Sundays. I also try to get my niece for a full 24hrs on weekends that I don't work. I've also made it a personal goal to see my beloved friends & family that don't live close, quarterly. Everyone needs a healthy outlet.

Take the time the evaluate your mental health. It's more important than you realize. I look at mental health as a super power. I can conquer almost anything when I'm mentally healthy and happy.

Happy Mental Health!

Until next time; Be You. Do You. LOVE YOU 💜