Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to reflect on how we live our daily lives. It’s a time to identify toxic thoughts or emotions that can be holding us back. It’s also a good time to identify the different areas in our lives that need changing. What are your stressors or triggers? How do you approach conflict? What does your support system look like? What are you doing to care for your mental health? Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us of how important it is to address these issues and give ourselves the gift of mindfulness and emotional peace. Here are ten reasons to dedicate more time to your mental health.

 

1. Overcome Obstacles or Limitations

It’s very important to determine what variables contribute to your obstacles. Caring for your mental health means evaluating your daily life. Is it your manager at work? Long commutes? Dysfunctional relationships? Forgotten goals? Identifying your challenges is the first step to overcoming them.

 

2. Boost Your Self-Esteem

Most Americans struggle with their self-worth on a daily basis. This is one of the greatest reasons to dedicate time to self-reflection during Mental Health Awareness Month. Take this time to do your research to find helpful resources. Find books or articles that promote positive thinking. Boosting your self-esteem can completely change the way you approach life’s challenges.

 

3. Sleep Better

It’s probably no surprise that people who practice mindfulness, meditation, and positive thinking sleep better than others. When your mind is swirling with personal problems, it can be very difficult to have a good night’s sleep. Taking the time to care for your mental health can promote rest and relaxation.

 

4. Feel Energized

Of course, sleeping better also means feeling more energized. People are often surprised by how negative thoughts or feelings can affect you physically. Chronic fatigue is a common symptom of depression. Caffeine can only take you so far when you’re dealing with mental or emotional stress. Clearing your mind of negativity can help you feel more energized throughout the day.

 

5. Resolve Internal Conflicts with Yourself

Having an internal conflict is when two parts of you are at odds with one another. For instance, maybe you want to try something new, but a voice in your head tells you it’s not the right path. One side of you wants to move to another country to learn a new language, but the other side of you reminds you of how difficult it is to get a Visa or find work. We will avoid a lot of potential paths in life because of our internal conflicts. If you’ve been struggling with an internal conflict, Mental Health Awareness Month is the perfect time to address it.

 

6. Learn About Self-Control

We live in a world of instant gratification and over-indulgence. American restaurants are infamous for serving outrageous food portions. We can have anything we want delivered right to our front door. Binge-watching TV is now a thing that people do on weekends and vacations. But, as the famous saying goes, with power comes responsibility. We could all use a lesson on self-control during Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

7. Overcome Conflicts with Friends or Family

Learning how to forgive can be a challenge. However, letting go of old grudges can do wonders for your mental health. If you’ve been in a power struggle with a friend or family member, Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to resolve it. Take the time to reach out and connect with those that you’ve lost touch with. Offering forgiveness or asking for forgiveness doesn’t have to be as difficult as it seems.

 

8. Build Better Relationships

People who regularly care for their mental health build better relationships with those around them. Being in a positive mental space is the foundation for creating healthy connections with others.

 

9. Promote the Mental Health Community

Millions of Americans suffer from mental health issues every day. Unfortunately, many of them do not receive the help that they need. When you take the time to care for your own mental health, you’re also promoting the importance of mental health care. No one should feel ashamed to seek out help. Remind your friends, neighbors, and co-workers that it’s Mental Health Awareness Month!

 

10. Find the Help You Need this Mental Health Awareness Month

When we finally take the time to address our mental health, we may realize that we need the help of a mental health counselor. Mental health counselors are there to help you identify your triggers, set new goals, and build better relationships. It’s important to reach out to a counselor if you feel like you’re struggling to do this on your own. Contact a counseling center today to learn more about how a professional can help you!