Our healing beyond Mental Health Awareness Month
Something we have to invest in and contribute to daily
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a time where the work of and from many initiatives, companies and organizations that support the mental healing of so many people and communities come to the forefront in the hopes of empowering people to take charge of their mental wellbeing. And at this point, most of us have heard the terms “Self-care”, “healing”, and “prioritizing our mental health” — buzzy terms that have been widely normalized. But have the actual action(s) of the words shown up in practice?
A couple of weeks ago, I gave the Keynote at Cal State Northridge’s Racial Healing Retreat. In prepping for that keynote, so much came up to think about, consider or share as it pertains to my lived experiences paired with my professional leadership in the wellness space to share. One thing I thought about was how within the black community, the thought of self-care or taking care of our mental health in parallel with daily survival to thrive in a world that often overlooks the weight of our societal contributions and experiences becomes a balancing act. It’s something that maybe we don’t think we have time for. Heck, a lot of people generally feel stressed AF!
As I thought about what “Healing” is and looks like, what came to mind is “Healing” is an active practice — Something I believe we have to do daily. Adopting new practices, modalities, routines and staying consistent to integrate them in our daily lives for the results we want and to reclaim our mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Working on ourselves, healing and finding moments of stillness can seem like a luxury in our fast-paced world. But healing isn’t something that happens in that one therapy session, or from that shadow work experience, that Ayahuasca trip, or even when we go to Bali for a retreat. Healing is something that unfolds and happens in our lives every day. Every day we have an opportunity to go on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace.
In 2012, I experienced the book of life’s challenges being thrown at me – some call it experiencing a dark night of the soul, personally and professionally. I was eager to get out of the hole I felt I was in. I was searching and searching for a solution. Something to bring me peace and ease. I connected with a good friend and had an experience that has had an immense impact on my life ever since. I got introduced to and was encouraged to the concept of taking care of and time for myself. From there, I believe I was set on a path that contributed to my healing and well-being. From there, I became more intentional about a few things, which I believe have contributed to my mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
So, how can and do we heal? How can we build habits to reclaim our mental, physical, and emotional well-being to thrive?
TRY BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT HOW YOU BEGIN YOUR DAY
What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Instead of looking at your text, emails or social media when you wake up. Try starting your day by looking at something uplifting, inspiring, or empowering — whether a quote, devotion or excerpt.OR try starting your day with a mindful pause, prayer, meditation, like a breath practice or a gratitude list.
BE INTENTIONAL AND MINDFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE CONSUMING — NOT JUST YOUR NUTRITION AND SUSTENANCE
Everything is FOOD! And how we are mentally and emotionally is based on what’s coming in. Being aware of what we put in and on our bodies is important to our healing. For our healing, it’s essential to be aware of what we’re eating, what we’re listening to, what we’re watching, who we’re following. We need to audit our Consumption and the consumption of our surroundings to Create Space for healing and Peace. How?
Assess your Media intake:
What are you watching, reading, and listening to? How does it affect you
Being mindful of the emotional impact of social media, news, and digital content
Maybe a periodic detox or intentionally unfollow people and pages that don’t contribute to what you want or who you want to become.
Take time to reconfigure your algorithm by searching for and engaging with people and pages that are positive, inspirational, uplifting and empowering towards your goals.
Assess your community:
Who’s in your circle?
Identify those who lift you up and those whose energy may be draining you.
Maybe don’t listen to that aggressive song
Maybe don’t eat that thing you normally love to indulge in.
MOVEMENT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Moving our bodies is important to our healing mentally, physically and emotionally.
According to Dr. William Haskell of Stanford University, “Most of the health-related benefits of exercise are relatively short term, so people should think of exercise and physical activity as medication and take it every day.”
Adopt a movement practice that you can do a few times a week for 20-60 minutes six to seven times a week
This can and will contribute to building habits to help us reclaim our mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
PROTECTING YOUR SPACE AND SETTING BOUNDARIES
Stop filling your calendar with things, calls, meetings and social events that overdo what your actual capacity is.
Take a break + Reset, when needed
Use your breath
Step away from your desk or your environment
Go outside
Create more time for YOU – This isn’t selfishness.
Listen to your favorite song
Call that person who will bring a smile to your face
SELF TALK
Speak over yourself
Words and language are important – our tongue has the power of life and death within it. Be mindful and intentional about our words.
SELF LOVE
Love is the most powerful force in the universe. Love can instantly shift the atmosphere, your mood, how you do things, and how you perceive things. Practicing self-love isn’t easy, especially when we’re caught up in our emotions. Yes, feel your feelings – but you don’t have to stay in moods or mental spaces that don’t serve you. Self-love is something that can show up in a myriad of ways and Self-Love helps us to take care of ourselves, heal from our experiences and prioritize our mental well-being.
How we show up for ourselves and embrace self-love is integral in taking agency over and reclaiming our mental, physical and emotional well-being.
Healing and being our best, exists on a spectrum — Our best one day, might be our worst the next or vice versa. I believe healing is an ongoing practice. How we heal dictates how we show up in our day-to-day experiences personally and professionally. Healing and Inner peace isn’t just created in a single moment but built steadily through daily practice and presence. The more we intentionally and actively carve time in our days for healing, the better we get at it, the more we see change, the more it becomes a habit and priority. Where we don’t just survive, but we create space to thrive and we heal
Try working on your healing daily and see how your heart, mind, body, and energy shift and transform.
Sending Good Vibes and Energy your way for an Abundant, Fulfilling and Ease-filled day and week!
“Breathe” — A Sonic Meditation
Breathe was created in response to emotional stress, environmental crisis and the heaviness the world can bring, which many of us feel every day. It blends a guided practice with contemporary composition, ambient textures and trumpet to ground the listener in presence. Perfect for mindfulness, rest, and breathwork, Breathe offers a moment of peace in chaotic times.
Breathe is a wellness tool. A practice. A moment to pause.
Breathe drops May 30 on all platforms.
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