Let's Talk Mental Health

Every person experiences the ebb and flow of hardship, suffering, endurance and growth. However, this part of life can take a toll on mental health that can be hard to recover from. Some days are harder than others where it can sometimes feel as if everyone is requiring something of you and there is so much to accomplish in not enough time.

When those days come, it is important to know how to handle them. When my mental health is not doing well, I have learned to create a routine to help me get through the day. When I am having a hard time, I take a shower while listening to my favorite music (Taylor Swift of course!). Then, after I make a cup of hot tea, I do my skincare routine and put on a face mask. Lastly, I light a candle and settle in with a book or one of my favorite comfort movies (Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Casablanca, Tinkerbell).

However, sometimes I do not have enough time to have a full mental health reset. During the hustle of the day, it helps to take a few minutes to merely sit and breathe. Taking slow deep breaths combined with affirmations or Bible verses has never failed to help me calm down. During these few minutes, I am able to gather my thoughts and improve my mental health.

Mental health is a hard topic. It can be scary when things get rough. When you are battling your mind, there are so many other methods you can try to improve your mental health. For instance, exercising for 30 minutes, talking to a friend, spending time outside, treating yourself to your favorite snack, or writing things down in a journal have been proven to help with mental health.

However, some situations call for more than these few treatments. If you or a loved one is ever feeling depressed or anxious, please call the Alabama Department of Mental Health hotline at 988.