May is National Mental Health Awareness month. This coincides with National Nurses Month as well.
While we know that working in healthcare brings many rewards, it can also cause some hardships as well. Limiting stressors is not only important to lessen the impact they have on our physical bodies, but to also limit the pressure they can have on our minds.
Points to remember:
1. Take Time Off – Taking a vacation, even a mini one, is vital to keeping your brain happy. Relax with friends and family. Resting your body can also rest your mind.
2. Spend Time with People – When we find ourselves too busy, perhaps juggling a million things, it isn’t uncommon for us to isolate ourselves from others whether we mean to or not. Fixing this can just mean grabbing a coffee, going inside the store, having lunch with a friend, or simply calling someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.
3. Create a Space for Your Hobbies – Finding a hobby that relaxes you and makes you feel like yourself is important. Sometimes, finding time to do whatever that hobby is can be challenging. But taking that time for yourself can be important in relaxing your busy mind and shining a new light on your day.
4. Take a Break from the Internet – While we have come super far in recent years, sometimes being online can cause more harm than good. Perhaps try to take a no- screen day, or weekend.
5. Positive Affirmations – It’s easy to be hard on ourselves. But it’s good to remind yourself that you are trying your best and you are working hard. Start your day by saying something positive – it can make a huge impact.
6. Start a Discussion – Just starting to talk can be the hardest move to make. But being open and honest about what might be going on can make the biggest difference, either for you or people around you.
Let’s embrace Mental Health Awareness Month by prioritizing self-care and fostering supportive connections. Your mental health matters—take proactive steps towards well-being.
