M E N T A L   H E A L T H

How do you take care of yourself? How can you handle everything on your plate if your foundation is cracked?

It’s okay to think about yourself but it’s easier said than done. I personally have a hard time relaxing my brain. There’s a gajillion thoughts and ideas racing through my head at times that I forget to take care of my mental health. Anyone else the same? How many times have you finally had that time sit on the couch and at your own leisure and then BOOM…all these thoughts pop in, “You know, I really could be doing the laundry…” (which is a chore that never ends.) “You know what I could be doing is…” To answer your question, yes we could be. We could be doing anything. The issue is we create excuses to not relax, rest, treat yourself, or take a leisure activity, unplug from the world.

Learn to make time for you! Schedule time early in the morning before the kids get up or you have to go to work OR towards the end of your day. Time is a valuable resource, and we can never get enough of it. Try starting with 30 minutes, then when you get used to it, bump it up to 45 then an hour. I know it seems impossible. If I can do it, you can definitely do it! In this Family Matters blog, we give you a how-to improve emotional and mental health.

“My chiropractor told me to sleep with one single pillow. Before I had two and I slept on my side. I had constant back pain, which then brought lack of sleep. My sleep improved with just one pillow and laying on my back. That’s my #1 tip,” says Family Matters assistant, Alina.

Put on socks, you’ll fall asleep faster if you have warm hands and feet.

Read a book! You’l’l find that within the first 5 or so pages you read, you’re going to start dozing off. (From my experience! And I was never a reader.) A cup of chamomile tea is sleep’s best friend. 

Slowly concentrate on tensing, then releasing each muscle in your body, starting with your feet and working all the way up to your head. You’ll be catching zzzz’s in no time.

Let’s go back to the time before society became consumed in devices—-to a time where we looked up at each other and gave a friendly smile. There is such thing as too much technology and we need to take a break for a bit.

Surround yourself with good people and live in each moment. Be sure the ones you are around are going to give you a strong and healthy support system. Keep up with your close friends and family but also make the effort of meeting new people! Seek activities like joining a class of your interest!

Let it all Out

I find myself having a really good cry here and there. When I get overwhelmed I just let it out. I call the most trusted person in my life and vent. The worst thing I have ever done was hold it all in to “be strong”.

Showing emotion is STRONG. It represents humanity and honesty.

There’s other ways to let out the built up stress. Work out, run, play a sport, walk in nature, walk at your local park, play an instrument, jump on a trampoline! Anything that gets you UP and moving.

Here are great One Minute Stress Strategies from the University Health Service of UOM.

Are you going through a family transition? Whether you are experiencing the exciting birth of a new baby, new home, or the trauma and stress from a divorce, grief, empty nest or illness, your priorities change. Family Matters will help you focus on the present, getting from where you are today to where you want to be in the future. Creating a plan and mapping out life’s goals is imperative to a successful outcome, and we have the training, background, skills, and life experience to make you whole again.

Life’s transitions affect every family member differently, but with the right guidance, support and help with adjustment, these transitions can run smoother, causing less stress, grief, trauma, and even an overall sense of purpose and well-being.

Our services can help you adjust to transitions and take back the life you want and need for you and your loved ones.