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2022 is upon us! Many people look forward to a new year with anticipation.
We aim to leave the past behind and move towards new goals that often include better health. I am sure that you have heard the term health is wealth. What comes to mind when you think of health?
If you are anything like me, you may have only thought about the physical aspect. On a daily basis, everywhere we turn, we are reminded to exercise, eat well, and drink enough water. While those things are important, there is another area of our health that should be prioritized as well.
Mental health is a subject that many people shy away from. If you suffer from poor mental health due to stress, financial issues, or relationship problems, you are perceived as weak.
So, what do most people do?
They suffer in silence.
They smile when they’re hurting.
They throw themselves into activities (drinking, sex, exercise, overeating, etc.) to numb the pain. None of these things help us with the underlying issues.
While poor mental health can affect both men and women, men are often affected more because of societal pressures to be masculine and strong. If the issues go unaddressed for too long, they can lead to suppressed emotions, medical issues, feelings of despair, and worse—lead to extreme measures to stop the pain. I have read too many stories where mental health was the culprit behind someone taking their life. Suicide is NOT the answer.
We can all strive towards improving our mental health if we:
Avoid self-criticism. Value yourself.
Take care of our bodies.
Talk to someone if we need to. Therapy does not equal weakness.
Practice mindfulness—meditate or practice yoga.
Change up our normal routine. Try new things.
Set realistic goals. Don’t over-commit.
Surround ourselves with positive people.
Remember, everything starts in the mind, so our mind needs to be healthy too.
I'm here for you. If you need it, reach out for help.
Monaye
Entrepreneur, Author, Mother, Survivor, and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist.
Monaye Etana is a native Floridian. She is the author of No Longer Bound, which was written to encourage women on their path from trauma to healing. She is also an advocate for suicide and child abuse prevention, runs a Lupus blog, and is the owner of The Grief Path which is dedicated to helping grievers.
Monaye's passion is encouraging and empowering others as they navigate their personal journey through life.
You can find out more about Monaye at www.favoredandfree.com