May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Do you want to win some free products?
Read on to learn how you can win this Stress and Anxiety Bundle!
↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓
↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑
Our Stress & Anxiety Bundle contains a well-balanced soothing selection of our top stress and anxiety-relieving products that will have you feeling restored and like yourself again. Enjoy a peaceful state of mind, feeling calm, balanced, positive, alert and ready for whatever you have in store.
There’s quite literally a day for everything on our calendar, whether it be a celebration, a mourning, or a simple awareness so that we take time to think about the good, the bad, and bringing about positive change.
Just take a look at your calendar and you’ll see what I mean. Although May is known for Holidays like May the 4th and Cinco de Mayo, it’s also known as Mental Health Awareness Month. Here in Canada, Mental Health Week is May 3-9th according to the Canadian Mental Health Association (#GetReal). The UK will celebrate their Mental Health Awareness week the week after ours.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.”1 Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
I wasn’t going to bring up this topic but realized I’d be doing a disservice to myself and others who have made the effort to put their mental health at the foreground of their lifestyle. I don’t want to come off as sappy or give you the impression that everyone needs to drop everything they’re doing to look inward. But I’d like to shed some light on Mental Health and #breakthestigma. We’re allowed to talk about it without shame!
Checking in on your mental health does not require a breaking point.
By this, I mean that you do not have to wait until you’ve hit rock bottom to consider your health (mental or physical). Some examples of this are as follows:
- Meditating to help you concentrate at work
- Taking a relaxing bath at night
- Eating 3 meals and 2 snacks a day
- Helping a friend move
- Taking your dog for a walk
- Talking to a therapist twice a month
- Calling up a friend to catch up during the Pandemic
Notice how some of these are non-negotiable and some are voluntary. For example, if you have a dog, you have to take them for a walk, and although this can feel monotonous and time-consuming, you know this is essential for your dog’s wellbeing and health. You don’t even think twice about it!
However, is meditation essential? Do you need to help your friend move or could they just hire a moving company? Could you change your diet every day and eat pizza and candy for breakfast? Sure, but what makes us do certain things and not others? What makes you feel good or accomplished?
I’m going to let you in on the 5 things I have tried to maintain in order to keep my Mental Health at bay. No more roller coaster emotions!
Why would one need to do something if there is no reason or rock bottom?
I think this answer is as simple (and complicated) as this:
- Some people do things because they know it will benefit their health. These people are either aware they need to improve their health OR they want to be proactive and prevent illness.
- Some people are not aware that there is another way of going about their lifestyle. You don’t know what you don’t know.
- Some people know what needs to be done to aid their mental health but choose to not pursue those changes. Perhaps they are too daunting because change is a long-term game.
You don’t have to hit rock bottom to want to improve or change your lifestyle. Depending on your personality type, perhaps you are a bit more proactive and do a lot of research to find the methods that work best for you.
I’m not that person. I’m a rock-bottom kind of person. I learn by trying, falling, and getting back up. Is this wrong? No, but it’s important to make changes to avoid falling over and over again. I don’t call it FAILING, because that insinuates I’ve lost something. In reality, I’m learning, so I’ve actually gained something!
So what are the 5 things that I swear by for my Mental Health?!
There hasn’t been a more challenging time in my life to practice these 3 things than during this Pandemic. While working from home, I’ve noticed my schedule fall apart, my workdays seemed to be spread out and much longer than when I was going into the office, I tend not to move as much, and I have watched my social life crumble to the ground.
I’m not alone here. I know many people are struggling. This is more incentive to make sure we take time to delve into what Mental Health Awareness month really is. Not just for our own mental health, but for the health of our employees, our friends, our family, and humanity in general. Everyone’s experience is subjective, and there are no comparisons here!
Take a look at the following 5 mental health checks I’ve worked on this past year to see if you can relate or apply these to your life!
- Schedule/Routine
- Stay Connected
- Move
- Write
- Therapy
I’ll go further into these topics below!
1- Schedule/Routine
It seems simple enough. I tend to repel monotony and routine. It used to bore me. Knowing what is coming up next is not exciting to me, and with my background, I am used to some type of chaos. This doesn’t mean that a schedule or routine won’t work for you. I have to admit, my schedule is not as set in stone as I’d like it to be. I still struggle a lot with this, especially when it comes to sleep/ wake hours, and eating on time.
Some things that I have purposefully and successfully routinized are movement, workshops, reading, getting outside, and grocery trips. I exercise on specific days and times (whether I feel like it or
not), I sign up for workshops after work, I read a book before bed to avoid screens, I step outside for 20 minutes a day in the morning to get natural light, and only go grocery shopping 1 day a week for essentials. Don’t underestimate the importance of the “simpler” things, like brushing your teeth, having a coffee or tea in the morning, or meditating for 15 minutes before bed.
Sure, these things don’t need to be so set in stone, but knowing these things are scheduled in my calendar helps me to remove that extra little bit of cognitive fatigue. You can only use your brain so much throughout the day without it feeling fried. Little things like prepping food and setting aside your clothes for the next day can help tremendously so that you have one less thing to think about.
2- Stay Connected
As an introvert, this is not top of mind. Trust me, when we went into our first lockdown of the Pandemic, I got way too comfortable being by myself. Sometimes, I felt like the only person in the world who could live alone forever and be ok with it. However, as time went by, the few times I was hanging out with friends outdoors or spending an hour on the phone with a close buddy, I noticed a serotonin rush. This neurotransmitter mediates satisfaction, happiness, and optimism. My whole mood changed because I was staying connected with my friends.
And guess what? Although I stay connected through FaceBook and Instagram, I don’t feel that same serotonin rush. In fact, staring at my screen and a bunch of Influencers on my phone brings up more negative feelings than positive ones. My idea of staying connected is walking your dog with a neighbor, having a picnic with friends, participating in a Zoom call with friends and playing a game online, or if you’re old-school like me, writing a letter to a loved one and sending it by Snail Mail!
Staying connected through social media and not interacting with people who bring out the best in you is not what I consider connection, but this could vary from person to person. There are many great books out there you can pick up from the library addressing the effect of technology on our Mental Health, as well as Documentaries and Research Articles. However, take that with a grain of salt. There are also great sources out there indicating Technology has evolved (and improved) Mental Health access and resources, and I back that up 100%, as well!
3- Move
I’ve spoken about this in the past, especially in blogs like ‘How to get through Intense Stress‘ or ‘5 Ways to Fight off Seasonal Affective Disorder‘, so I won’t go into too much detail.
Movement has been crucial in my mental health journey. The type of movement style you choose should not matter! You’re making a commitment to not sit 24 hours a day and that’s all I ask!
My exercise of choice over the past 6 months specifically have been dance, walking (while taking pictures with my camera), running, and group classes online. I change it up all the time. This is where routine comes in. Although I don’t need to do the same exercise every single time, I want to make sure I move every day. I start my day by dancing or listening to some upbeat music as I wake up, make my bed, and get ready for the day. At lunch, I try to do a 45-minute workout or walk outside for a little bit. After work, if I still haven’t moved, I go for a long walk to the waterfront so I can meditate by the water and do some bird watching.
No, it isn’t always intense, but intense isn’t what everyone needs. Most people simply need to be moving. PERIOD.
4- Write
I’ve never been much of a writer. My friend got me into this 2 years ago. I also did some research and realized that writing on paper with a pen or pencil has a different effect than if I were to type the same information. In fact, it is supposed to help with general literacy (ability to read and write), memory recall, critical thinking, and creativity. These are all things I lacked and wanted to build up, so I put pen to paper!
Ask yourself this: When is the last time you actually wrote an essay or a letter by pen? Have you ever learned how to write in cursive? Perhaps I think too much about this, but I think many kids nowadays know how to type before they learn how to write! Find yourself a nice notebook or some scrap paper you can toss or burn after and pick up your favorite pen.
One example of how this has helped me is in Therapy. When I complete a worksheet online, I never revisit it. It’s submitted to my therapist and I never look at it again because I don’t have easy access to it. When I complete a worksheet in my journal, I can flip through and re-read what I wrote. I notice this has helped my memory tremendously!
5- Therapy
Speaking of completing worksheets for therapy…
I’m not sponsored, but am open to a sponsorship deal if it’s in the cards @betterhelp! 😉
When I originally joined BetterHelp, I knew I needed a therapist ASAP. The pandemic had just put us into our first Provincial lockdown here in Toronto, and I wanted to be proactive and avoid doing what I had done in the past, which is finding a therapist (whoever) to help within a moment of crisis.
To be honest, I didn’t like my first therapist on BetterHelp. I had a few sessions with her and realized I wasn’t getting what I was looking for. I spoke up and the BetterHelp team was extremely supportive. Quickly, I switched therapists and haven’t looked back since.
I’ve picked up some incredible tips and tricks from my therapist, including how to Radically Accept certain situations, how to Cope Ahead when I don’t know exactly how a certain situation is going to unravel, and how to healthily Distract myself from distressing emotions.
Seriously, click on some of those links in the paragraph above. These animated videos clear things up and make all these skills seem much more digestible and less intimidating! You don’t need a therapist to learn and apply some of those, but it can be helpful to speak to someone who can provide a different perspective than your own!
Conclusion
Whether I have hit a breaking point or am feeling on top of the world, these 5 things are pretty set in stone, and sticking to these has helped me maintain balance. However, if one day goes by and I miss my movement, it’s not the end of the world. Finding balance and knowing when you need to rest or substitute a different method is just as important. Substitutions can include making a puzzle, calling up a friend, having an impromptu dance party in your living room, or reading an article or two about something new to you.
Here are some sources you can dip into if you feel you need extra support:
- Mental Health America
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Youtube – here and here (but honestly, there are so many options!)
- BetterHelp
- Crisis lines – in Canada and in the United States (or here)
Do not hesitate to reach out to someone if you are in need. This can be a friend, family member, or a Crisis line if need be!
Have you noticed a change in your Mental Health since 2020? Do you feel more comfortable going into the rest of 2021 with some of these tips? Have you applied any of these or others to your life?
CONTEST RULES
Leave a comment down below letting me know how you #ChampionYourLife when it comes to your Mental Health. Every comment will qualify you to win the Stress & Anxiety Bundle on our website, so please include your IG handle, FB account, or the easiest way to contact you and we’ll make sure to reach out to you. If you have any questions or concerns or need help entering, feel free to reach out to me at chelsea@nutrachamps.com so I can make sure you’ve entered to win!
This Giveaway is open to Domestic and International participants. We will open up the comment section starting May 6th, 2021 and the giveaway will end on May 31st, 2021! The winner will be announced on June 1st, 2021. Good Luck!
#selfgrowth #personalgrowth #selfcarematters #personaldevelopmentjourney #emotionalwellbeing #mentalhealthadvocate #itsokaytonotbeokay
#EndTheStigmaofMentalHealth
Chelsea Pineiro
Chelsea has been active most of her life, which led her to become a Personal Trainer and Yoga Instructor for the past 7 years. Health and Fitness are not solely dependent on movement, though, and with that understanding, she addresses her client’s other needs, such as diet, mindfulness, and stress management.
When she is not training clients or teaching Yoga, she is finding new activities that keep her mind and body active, such as hiking, photography, listening to podcasts, or playing video games. She is constantly working toward finding natural solutions to live a balanced lifestyle, inclusive Yoga for all body types, and aiming to find mindfulness in everything she does.
120
Leave a Comment:
(81) comments
Exercise is so important. I try to exercise 3-4 times a week to make sure I’m physically active and can de-stress after a long day at work.
ReplyGreat article! Thanks for bringing attention to mental health with tips and resources.
ReplyThanks for your comment, Sean! Appreciate the support!
ReplyI #championmylife by meditating every day! I’ve been doing it for almost 2 years now and it has been a life saver during the pandemic. Thanks for this opportunity! I’ve been meaning to try Ashwagandha.
ReplyLove that you’ve been meditating every day! That must have been a lifesaver when you first went into lockdown during the pandemic.
Ashwagandha is a great adaptogenic herb to get started with for stress relief. Just make sure it doesn’t contraindicate any of the medication you may currently be taking!
ReplyI feel like staying connected is number one for mental health; in the midst of this covid challenge it’s so important for each and every one of us to just pick up the phone and reach out. we all know someone who’s sidelined, whether physically or emotionally… and simply taking a few minutes to let them know you were thinking of them can mean the world.
ReplyI totally agree! I definitely went through a phase of hopping on Zoom calls with friends for the first couple of months just to get some kind of connection/social interaction in my isolated schedule. As restrictions ease up, I think there will be a huge weight lifted off us all, but I think it will make socializing in person super awkward for the first month or so! I can’t wait! 😀
ReplyLove this! The pandemic has really made me realize how important it is to step back and refresh once in a while. It’s so easy to get caught up in daily repetitive tasks that sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in a rut. It’s so important to do the things you love and engage yourself in activities like you mention above. For me it’s reading, doing DIY crafts, exercising or cooking (something outside of my comfort zone!)
ReplyI’d love to add the stress and anxiety bundle to my regime and see just how much more of a difference it’ll make 🙂
YESYESYES! You sound like an artsy person! That creativity could really be a cool thing to experiment with in the kitchen to keep things exciting and fun. 🙂 Keep at it!
ReplyMental illness is the most neglected health problem in developing countries. I try to stay mentally strong by walking every day, weight lifting, breathing when I feel overwhelmed and talking to friends and family about my feelings. Therapy also helps a lot because it makes you see things from a different perspective.
ReplyThank you for the tips!
Great insights here, Roberta. Thankfully, Mental Health is getting a lot more airtime now and we are starting to realize we have way more support than we originally thought. Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks.
ReplyThank you for your article! I champion my mental health by getting outside and exercising. Even if it’s just a walk around block to get my head clear and heart rate up. I always feel lifted. Remembering to breathe is key as well. I think just focusing on deep breath for 5 minutes is easy to do.
ReplyRemembering to breathe seems so easy, but it’s so tough to do this mindfully. Thank you for my daily reminder 😉
ReplyExercise, meditation, and unplugging. All three are vital in maintaining my balance.
Reply100%. As it gets harder and harder to unplug, I’m finding I need to schedule a time to turn off my phone entirely. I hope you find it easier than I do to unplug!
ReplyI #championmylife by practicing deep breathing, meditation, and yoga. Maintaining a routine is imperative for my mental well-being. Spending time with my husband, 7 cats, and 1 dog is a must! CalmSense also helps!
ReplyYou had me at 7 cats and 1 dog. SIGN ME UP!
(And yes, I looove CalmSense for days when I’ve tried meditation and exercise and I just need a little bit more help) <3 Thanks for sharing.
Replyrefreshing article to read first thing in t morning! Routine is so important, and when I’m not in one I feel all over t place, and just by that it puts me in a frazzled state of mind. Routine for me consists of all that was mentioned in this article. Waking up at a set time every morning, prayer and meditation, exercise and nourishing our bodies at set times as well. Taking and making time for those who are dear in our lives. Enjoying n a ture and t simple things. And always finding an opportunity to show God’s love to anyone I come into contact with throughout my day.
ReplyThanks Shelly! Glad you’ve managed to find a routine that works for you. But I especially love that you mentioned making time for others in your life. It’s easy to get distracted by all the things that are “happening to us” and forget that everyone is experiencing something similar. Bringing others (or God) into our lives or keeping some sense of community helps ease tension and cultivate love. <3
ReplyHustle and meditate! Meditate has saved me from myself on countless occasions. Letting go of the emotions but keeping all the lessons.
ReplyOooo Hustle! This is a new one. I agree, meditation has helped me, but more so Radical Acceptance, and just being able to accept things/situations as they are. Still so tough, but you’re giving me hope!
ReplyExercise and clean eating are wonderful. Through prayer, bible reading and meditating, I find the greatest peace in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. My mind and body health thrive when I allow Him to be my main focus.
ReplyLove this! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyI have insomnia and aniexty and depression is can help me please
ReplyHey Alesia, thank you for opening up and sharing. I know it isn’t easy. Let me know if you need more resources and I’ll help out as much as I can. Email me at chelsea@nutrachamps.com.
ReplyChiropractic therapy has helped me immensely during this time. My stress level is through the roof and chiropractic adjustments and my supplements are keeping me emotionally well.
ReplyGreat idea! I’m happy you were still able to get adjustments during the Pandemic. We’ve been in a lockdown for MONTHS, but I believe chiropractic practitioners are essential, so that’s probably helped so many people over the last year and a half. Is there anything specifically that you feel makes the biggest difference? For me, it’s when they adjust my back. I notice I can breathe deeper and I’m not as tense.
ReplyI exercise and eat healthy fruits and veggies. It’s also vital to get enough sleep and outdoor time 🙂
ReplyTotally, Christina! Eat the rainbow and get outside. Still working on the sleep one, but if you’ve got any suggestions, please send them my way! #SOS
ReplyThank you for talking about this, self-care is important in all aspects especially when it comes to mental health. I live in Ontario and with yet another lockdown it just feels like the weight of the stress is getting heavier!
Each day is a new day filled with lots of new opportunities and I try to be very mindful of my energy and do things that lift my spirits when I recognize that I’m retreating to my negative internal narrative.
I take walks in a nearby hiking trail, sit in the backyard and bask in the sunlight (with sunscreen of course!), write in my journal in the evenings to do a brain dump, work on some creative things like colouring, or doodling while listening to records just to have my brain some thinking for a bit. Even mindless tasks like laundry and cleaning help me a lot because my body is moving but my brain can be quiet. And there are days where I recognize that I don’t need to do anything at all but rest, and so I will have lazy days and that’s okay.
Every day looks a little different and I’m totally okay with that! These are just a few ways I #ChampionMyLife!
ReplyHey neighbor! We’re all just patiently waiting for things to open up…
You seem very self-aware. Hard to know when your energy or mind might shift gears unless you’re tracking it and making sure you’re mindful. I commend you on that!
I love all your suggestions. Thank you for leaving them here… I want to try some of them, especially the doing nothing one. ☝️ Rest is so important. Important enough that I’m willing to schedule it so that nothing interferes with it.
ReplyTake time for yourself everyday! #Selfcare is vital!
Reply#SELFCARE 😃 that’s essential. Any specific ways you do this?
I’ve been trying to practice this without spending money. I take epsom salt baths or schedule out time to read a book and keep my eyes away from screens. It’s been blissful!
ReplyI struggled through covid with mental health as my demons came at and everything else around me was quickly crashing. What helped me was not staying alone, I was with people who make me feel comfortable. I made small goals I would do everyday tl promote a sense of fulfillment. I exercised as I worked towards becoming a happier me. Lastly, I stayed out of my bed, being in your bed all the time can cause you to sink further into depression. It’s good to get up and get active with anything at all.
ReplyI can relate to this sooo much! 💯
Being around people (family, chosen fam, friends) helps you feel like you’re part of something, doesn’t it?
It’s like you took the words right out of my mouth! The waking up thing is tough, but once you’re out and you’re getting your day started, it all becomes more doable. Just know that you have people to reach out to if you need a helping hand. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyReading my Bible every day, taking long walks and taking care of my horses helps to keep me on track.
ReplyOh my gosh, if I had horses, or access to one (*hint hint!*), I’d be the happiest girl in the world! haha
Thanks for sharing, Tina. This all sounds beautiful.
ReplyImportant reading and great advice, loved it!. The best things you can do for your mental health is… Read the word of God, get out in nature, listen to good, and I mean really good music, think Beatles, surround yourself with good positive company, try to eat as healthy as you can, get rid of any stress that weights you down and go on a road trip a few times a year, somewhere you’ve never gone before, receive and really take in the adventure.
ReplySome great ideas here. Especially the Beatles. It makes me feel sad for the younger gen that isn’t familiar with their music! I’m sure us Millenials have found something we enjoy just as much… I have an old soul. 🙂
I miss road trips! Where was the last place you visited? I’d love to hop on a train and go back to Montreal.
ReplyEat healthy!
ReplyIt really makes such a big difference. Sometimes immediately! Thanks for sharing, Michael.
ReplyI’ve been dealing with anxiety since I was in my late teens. With a combination of running, yoga, medication and therapy I can keep things under control. So thanks much for bringing mental health to the attention of everyone.
ReplyThanks for sharing, John. The stigma is what stops most of us from asking for help. I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to share your experience even if it’s just a fraction of it. Sharing helps more than you will ever know.
ReplyA walk around the block is a great benefit but it is hard to find the time. My wife and I have the opposite problem of many with the pandemic; we are working lots of extra hours and strange shifts due to flexing work schedules for distancing. These blog tips are very helpful in providing a few simple, quick things we can try to wind down.
ReplyDon! People don’t really talk about this because it may seem like if you bring up extra work hours, you may come off as ungrateful. I hear you, though. This is a different kind of burn-out than I’ve ever experienced in the past. I hope you and your wife have been able to implement some of these tips (even for just a few minutes).
If there’s one thing this pandemic is proving is just how resilient we are/can be.
ReplyI #championmylife by taking SuperGreens every day and practicing progressive muscle relaxation on a regular basis.
@thezwomann on Facebook and Instagram
ReplyOOoo thanks for bringing up progressive muscle relaxation. This is something I’ve been meaning to try, but have never gotten around to doing it.
Does it count if I do a Guided meditation that guides me to squeeze certain muscles? I wonder if I’d get the same release from something like that. I’ll give it a go tonight.
ReplyWOW, Chelsea, Thank You for posting such a concise and detailed program plan. THIS makes it soooooo much easier to adopt a plan and put one into motion !!! Stay Safe and be Blessed !!
ReplyThank you for your lovely comment, Carl. If there is any other content you’d like to see here, just suggest it and I’ll get to work! I love being immersed in deep convos with people about a variety of topics!
ReplyI am 58 years old be 59 in October i #ChampionMyLife by weight lifting 6 days a week great way to relieve stress give you an overall sense of well being also go off roading in my jeep on the weekends, go for walks on nature trails and stargazing at night.
ReplyMike, you’re basically living my dream life! This is my goal for my 58th birthday.
I guess I should start by moving out of the city if I want to see some stars…✨
ReplyThank you so much for this blog and breaking the stigma around mental health issues. Your suggestions are great and I will try hard to implement them. I have struggled with depression and PTSD since childhood. I’m older now and have a teenage son who has several disabilities including mental health issues. We experience the stigma so much. The pandemic has been difficult, so isolated. I am so grateful to you for speaking out and speaking up. Thank you so very much!
ReplyLori J Instagram Lori.j6
Wow, Lori, thank you!
I imagine the pandemic has made it more difficult to access mental health/community-based assistance. If you ever need help looking for resources in your area, don’t hesitate to email me at chelsea@nutrachamps.com. Although my background is in Personal training and physical fitness, I originally went to school to be a Social Worker 😉
I thank you for speaking up for those without a voice. I’m here for you.
ReplyI’ve used this pandemic to make my exercise routine more streamlined. I do weights 3 times a week, and run twice a week, one a longer run each weekend. I’ve stopped eating frozen and processed foods (had to do this for other GERD type issues too) and try to eat clean everyday. I think mental health is very important to well being, especially as we grow older and transition to later phases of our lives. This was a very good article in highlighting the aspects of our live we need to focus on for better mental health. I think the health and wellness related focus we’re getting everywhere now is very helpful to all of us and it also meshes with the overall concerns around global warming, social issues and caring about each other
ReplyVenkatesh, you should write a book. I love that you brought this topic full-circle by mentioning global warming, social issues, and caring about each other.
The biggest stress during the pandemic was seeing everyone in lockdown/wearing a mask/social distancing and knowing we couldn’t properly/legally fight for the causes we believe in. I appreciate you bringing this up. I’m extremely passionate about this and am glad I’m not alone!
ReplyI meditate and walk daily, practice yoga three times per week, take two Zumba classes per week, and do a circuit with weights three times per week. I keep a journal, express gratitude daily, and have been involved in a spiritual community since Fall 2020. I also keep in touch with family and friends, especially my older aunts and uncles, by phone, texting, and social media. We have had a few family members diagnosed with mental illness disorders; one got help, one refused help and spent most of his adult years with housing insecurity, and one never sought help and took her own life. It is so important to reach out and stay connected.
ReplyMy condolences, Carmela. Even for those that didn’t take their lives, I find mental illness can really change someone and rob them of their personality and joy.
Mental health is rarely visible. When it isn’t visible and you don’t seek help, it’s easy to spiral out of control and get used to a completely different lifestyle.
I’m glad you’re taking care of you and yours. Keep on keeping on!
ReplyI usually read for relaxing but sometimes I have a hard time winding down after a long day at work. This bundle would definitely help get me in a better state of calmness.
ReplyHey Barbara! It’s definitely difficult to unwind nowadays. Let’s hope you win something! 🙂
*ps. what genre of literature do you enjoy?
ReplyThank you so much for all this information on mental health Chelsea. It was wonderful to read and to receive the reminder that I am not alone in my struggles.
ReplyI am an alcoholic and have been sober now for over 2 years, but I need to be aware of my mental health in order for me to maintain my sobriety and do what is best for me. I thrive on routine and am blessed that my home group has a daily morning Zoom meeting that I attend daily. It really is the best way to begin my day.
Meditating and focusing on what I am grateful for really helps me during difficult times in my life. Also exercising, eating healthy, and getting good sleep keep me feeling balanced.
Mental health is so important and I want to be the best I can be for myself so that I can be there for my friends and family and my coworkers as well. Thank you 😊
First of all, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to 2 years. Alcohol is a tough one because it is so socially acceptable, so I thank you for sharing that with me.
Secondly, it seems you’ve created an incredible base for yourself. This type of routine will keep you sturdy even when s*it hits the fan. You may fall, but you’ll get back up! You sound like you’ve really made a healthy choice for yourself and that makes me happy. 🙂
ReplyI make sure to walk at least 10,000 steps a day and stay in touch with family!
ReplyBoth are tough! haha Do you use a watch to track your steps, Robyn?
ReplyI try to watch what I eat. Sleep (Thank you NutraChamps gummies!) at least 7 hours. and gardening is my “thing” it destresses the day for me.
ReplyDebora, this sounds divine. I would love to have a garden to completely makeover. Must feel so great to see new plants/flowers come up every season.
Also glad you’re getting your sleep. I need to stop up on some Melatonin Gummies, myself.
ReplyI go to my 11th Step meditation meeting at least a couple times a week. Group meditation with others in recovery.
Reply–DR
This is awesome – looks like you’ve found a community of people working toward the same goal and have replaced a “problematic behavior” (instead of addiction) with something positive. The great thing about meditation is that it doesn’t always feel positive… sometimes, I feel like I’m wasting my time, or I’ve got monkey-mind. That can’t only be me…
Congrats, Daniel.
ReplyPersonally, I #championmylife by staying present and when obstacles get in my way i ask myself whether problems are actually problems. I hope to see opportunity rather than an obstacle. I choose my battles carefully and let go of things i cannot change. I have anxiety and PTSD i take some medicine but really the supplement I have from Nutrachamps has helped alot. The Nutrachamps Calm Drops, i use it like a rescue remedy when i am triggered.
ReplyThanks for sharing, Shere! I especially love that you choose to look at “problems/issues” as opportunities rather than obstacles. This took me years of practice.
The shame around medication needs to be put to rest! Take medication if you need it. We all have enough on our plates, and it’s about time we take a load off and enhance the wonderful traits we have instead of thinking the medication will “fix us”. It certainly didn’t fix me and I had to do years of work to come out of a dark place. There is a time and place for medication, even if it means you’re on it for life. Herbal supplements are just that: Supplements. I’m so glad you found a product that works for you.
ReplyI #championmylife by jumping rope every day! That’s my move, I’ve been doing it for almost 3 years now, every day I find a new challenge to myself and keeps me motivated. Nutrachamps and Nitric Charge, Thanks.
ReplyIG: @rojaspeter
Ok Peter, we need a video of this! I’m always extremely impressed when I see adults skipping rope. I remember doing it with ease as a child. I now have zero coordination. haha
This is a great way to get cardio in, get the dopamine you need to feel pumped and happy, and probably pump up your calves, too! 😛
ReplyI wake up and workout daily to give myself a stable routine. and almost every day i am not working, i am hiking. i also garden on a regular basis to ground myself, connect with nature, and get great satisfaction from making things grow!
ReplyI love this, Elizabeth. The time it takes to tend to a garden and then seeing things grow must be so rewarding! I like to walk around the neighborhood and look at other people’s lawns/gardens since I live in a condo. haha
Do you have any suggestions for the best hiking spots in your state? If not, where would you want to go if you had zero limitations!?
ReplyI #championmylife by taking the dog for a walk with my wife almost every day. It gives us a chance to connect a little and slow down while we talk about our day and make little future plans and goals without kids distracting us.
ReplyBingo! Dogs are the best and they don’t even know it.
No offense, kids. We love you too. But they may be more likely to say NO to a walk with their parents (especially as they get older).
This is a great routine – it’s also a nice way to get outside rain or shine.
ReplyWhen I was younger, routine felt like a trap and I often rebelled against it, making my efforts at maintaining a healthy lifestyle erratic and unsustainable. Now I appreciate the comfort and reliable results that routine brings.
ReplyUghhh I 100% agree. I felt like routine was boring and my lifestyle quickly spiraled around my first year of Uni/College.
Short-term pain for long-term gain, right? Sometimes we don’t give something a chance and we assume it will be boring, but it’s the one thing keeping everything together.
Thanks for bringing this up, Mollie.
ReplyI spend time with my dogs to help with my mental help.
ReplyOk, enough people have brought up a dog to make me realize I need a dog. 🐕
Do you meet up with others while walking your dog? Or do you walk solo? It can be so relaxing (either way!).
ReplyMy dog is my ZEN as cliche as that sounds, it is my absolute bliss after a stressful day of my nursing job!
ReplyNothing cliché about that! Dogs seem to be one of the #1 de-stressors according to all the comments.
It’s also great to be around a dog or pet who loves you unconditionally after a day of feeling overworked.
Thank you for all you do as a Nurse. You are the #1 MVP! We appreciate your selflessness here at NutraChamps and know that it can be a thankless job some days. 💜
ReplyLeave a Comment: