Mental Health Awareness Month: Why does mental health matter?
Thrive • May 1, 2021
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so naturally, we’re taking the opportunity to address the topic. Having a healthy mind state empowers you to:
- Feel confident about yourself.
- Be a better friend, son, daughter, colleague, boss, parent.
- Emanate positivity, influencing your circumstances for the better.
- Laugh easier, pursue your passions, chase your dreams.
— and who wouldn’t want all of that?
All too often, we settle for a mediocre — and even miserable — state of being. The good news? Like physical health, mental health is completely open to improvement. At Thrive, we believe in nurturing our mental health, so we can be our best selves.
CHECKING IN WITH YOUR MINDSTATE
Influenced by a combination of genetics and external circumstances, mental health is strange, complex, and greatly impacts one’s quality of life. Mental health comprises one’s emotional and physical wellbeing, affecting how you feel, think, and act. Tuning in with your mental state can provide insight into how your external circumstances are affecting your overall wellbeing. For example:
- Is your living situation causing you to constantly feel on edge?
- Is your job driving you to reach for a second glass of wine more nights than not?
- Is the state of your relationship keeping you awake at night?
When your mental health is suffering, you can feel irritable, angry, sad, and hopeless. You may isolate yourself from your loved ones, neglect your hygiene, or be easily prone to emotional outbursts. Physical ailments like migraines, inflammation, and sickness can also result.
We can’t always feel optimal. Emotions like stress, loneliness, and sadness are unavoidable elements of life. Unfortunately, sometimes feelings of unhappiness are slow to fade. If left unchecked, mental health struggles can lead to substance abuse, debilitating mood and anxiety disorders, and suicide.
When faced with mental health struggles, you might not be sure what exactly is causing your suffering, and you may be too exhausted to sort it all out. Whether you need to process unaddressed trauma, unsettled circumstances, tumultuous relationships, or something else — seeing a therapist can help you understand how the state of your mind is affecting your wellbeing and help you develop tools to adjust your life in a way that promotes your mental health.
OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO BOOST MENTAL HEALTH
With the mind being as unique as it is, we all have our favorites ways of feeling better. Here are some of our favorite ways to supplement mental health at Thrive —
- Create healthy habits. Committing to a healthy lifestyle by hydrating, indulging in nutrient-rich food, and exercising intuitively can do wonders for your wellbeing.
- Win your morning. Starting your day early with a hot cup of coffee or tea and a morning walk can give you a boost of confidence that’ll define your day.
- Alternatively, sleep in. Like we said, mental health is uniquely your own. Sometimes, sleep should be your first priority. A good night’s rest can make you feel like your absolute best self.
- Connect with your loved ones. Isolation can put a damper on your mood, while laughing with your friends over dinner can liven you up. So, we choose the latter option.
- Stand up for yourself. Feel empowered to demand the respect you deserve.
- Make the decision. Unsettled circumstances can keep you from feeling at ease. If you have a difficult decision to make, you might feel better once you commit to a choice — rather than remaining in a state of uncertainty.
- Consider getting an emotional support animal or pet to keep you company. Whether it’s a dog, cat, fish, or parakeet, upon bringing home a pet, you may just discover your new best friend and a whole new sense of purpose.
- Nurture your passions — even if you just turn them into after-work hobbies. Foster the parts of yourself that make you feel the most alive, curious, and interested.
- See a therapist. Talking to an unbiased mental health professional about your aspirations, emotions, relationships, difficult decisions, and all of the other things that make up your life can heal your mental health struggles, give you a guiding light, and catalyze your growth.
MORE ON THERAPY
The mind is a strange, complex organ with intricacies that are yet to be fully understood. A therapist offers an unbiased, clinical perspective that can help you sort through your thoughts and emotions and empower you to fully embrace life. If you’re in need of a mental health boost, feel free to reach out to Thrive to book a therapy session.
The post Mental Health Awareness Month: Why does mental health matter? first appeared on Thrive Wellness.
As a parent, noticing alarming behaviors around food or routines in your child can raise some important questions. You might be asking yourself, “Is this an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or something else entirely?” Understanding the signs and differences between these disorders is key to getting your child effective, timely treatment. In this blog, we’ll break down the overlap between OCD and eating disorders, what signs to watch for, and how to get professional help. If you're a parent wondering “Is my child’s eating disorder actually OCD?” or “OCD vs eating disorder in teens,” know that you’re not alone and you’re in the right place to find specialized care for your child. What Is OCD? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where unwanted thoughts (obsessions) cause anxiety, leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) intended to ease that anxiety. OCD can be focused on any subject. Common obsessions include contamination, perfectionism, scrupulosity, and harm, but sometimes, the content of obsessions can be focused on food, body image, or weight. What Is an Eating Disorder? Eating disorders , like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) involve disturbed eating behaviors and intense concerns about body weight or shape. These conditions go beyond dieting or “picky eating” and can become life-threatening without professional intervention. The Overlap: Why It Can Be Confusing OCD and eating disorders often share similar symptoms : Ritualistic eating (e.g., needing to eat foods in a certain order or at a certain time) Rigid rules about food (like only eating certain food groups or certain amounts of food) Excessive checking (like weighing food or body or repeated checking of expiration dates or thorough cooking) Avoidance behaviors ( like avoiding carbs, fats, or other food groups or avoiding places or objects that can trigger obsessions) Distress when routines are disrupted (either around mealtimes or exercise routines) So, How Can You Tell the Difference? Use the following chart to compare and contrast symptoms of OCD and eating disorders.
How school breaks can mask or amplify eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD symptoms and how to intervene
Coming out is a deeply personal, courageous, and in many cases, life-changing act. Whether you're sharing your sexual orientation or gender identity, coming out is about embracing authenticity and sharing an essential part of who you are. During the process of coming out, prioritizing your mental health at every stage is crucial. In this blog, we'll discuss insights and strategies to support your mental health before, during, and after coming out. Wherever you are in your journey, know that your experience is valid and you are not alone. Understanding the Mental Impact of Coming Out Coming out can bring about a lot of big feelings, including fear, relief, joy, anxiety, grief, and hope, sometimes all at once. Know that heightened emotions during this time are completely normal. Sharing such an integral part of yourself with the world can feel intense, but even with the ups and downs, being authentically you is worth it. Because LGBTQIA+ individuals face added mental health burdens due to stigma and discrimination, taking care of yourself during this time is more important than ever. You might experience increased anxiety, mental exhaustion, or avoidance ahead of coming out, so don’t be afraid to reach out for support. At its core, coming out is about authentic self-expression and showing your truest self, which can feel both exciting and scary at the same time . The self-acceptance and community gained from coming out is a vital part of finding long-term strength and joy. Still, it’s okay if you feel uncertain or conflicted, and these feelings are just part of the process. Before Coming Out: Emotional Preparation Coming out starts with reflection. Remember that there’s no rush when it comes to figuring out who you are. It’s okay to take time to understand your identity and what coming out might mean for you. Here are a few questions to consider: What do I hope to gain by coming out? Who feels emotionally safe to talk to? What are my fears, and how can I manage them? Mental wellness tips before coming out: Journaling can help you better understand your feelings and fears and explore different ways to share your truth. Talking through your feelings and different scenarios with a therapist , especially one who is LGBTQIA+ affirming, can help you to feel more supported and ready to come out. Practice grounding techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or visualization to ease anxiety ahead of sharing your identity. Helpful resources for coming out include: Trevor Project Lifeline (1-866-488-7386) TrevorSpace (an online community for LGBTQIA+ youth) OurCenter (a local community center for the LGBTQIA+ community in Reno) During the Coming Out Process: Staying Grounded The act of coming out can feel intimidating, as you’re sharing such a vital part of who you are. You might experience fear, panic, or doubt. While these feelings are real, know that you don’t have to navigate them alone. Tips for emotional resilience: Practice conversations ahead of time with a therapist or supportive friend so you feel ready when the time comes to share. Choose a time and place where you feel safe and in control. Use affirming statements, like, “I deserve to be loved for who I am.” Coping with negative responses: Set emotional boundaries with people who aren’t supportive. Create an emotional safety plan: know who you can call, where you can go, and what can help soothe you in moments of distress. After Coming Out: Processing and Healing Coming out, no matter how it went, deserves to be celebrated. An act of strength and authenticity like coming out is no small feat, so be proud of yourself for sharing who you are. Even so, the emotional aftermath can be complicated. You might feel joy and empowerment or loss and grief, especially if relationships shift. Healing strategies: Acknowledge your courage . Even difficult conversations are acts of strength. Rebuild your safety if you've experienced rejection. This might mean changing your environment or seeking new support systems. Release guilt or shame. Being who you are is never something you should feel ashamed or guilty for. Support networks can make a huge difference. Seek out different forms of support like: LGBTQIA+ support groups (in-person or online) Peer mentors or community leaders Allies, friends, or family who affirm and respect your identity Therapeutic options to deal with stress, grief, or isolation associated with coming out: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help process trauma. Narrative therapy helps you rewrite your story in your own empowering voice. Coming Out More Than Once: Navigating the Long Game Coming out isn’t just a single milestone, it’s a recurring process. You might come out again and again: to a healthcare provider, a neighbor, a partner, or a friend. It can feel exhausting or unfair to have to come out more than once, but each time, you’ll continue to find more strength, confidence, and understanding for yourself. Other tips for coming out: Focus on cultivating a strong inner identity that doesn’t rely on external validation. You know who you are, and you don’t need to prove yourself to anyone. Create a personal toolkit of coping and grounding strategies to deal with stress or burn-out associated with coming out. Thrive Wellness offers a free breathing exercise guide to help relieve anxiety and calm the nervous system. Download it here . Find affirmation and support through community. This can look like finding a chosen family, looking up to queer role models, attending events that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and its history, and working on embracing authenticity and having pride in who you are. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to coming out, and it’s never too late to share who you are. Whether you're preparing to come out, in the midst of sharing your truth, or processing what came after, know that you are worthy of love, safety, and joy. Your truth is worth celebrating, today and everyday! For support during the coming out process and beyond, reach out to our team of affirming, inclusive, and compassionate mental and physical health care providers. We're here for you.
