Embracing Your Mental Health and Loving Yourself

Embracing your Mental Health is hard. No one wants to feel like an outsider and stigmas have been blatantly shaming those who suffer. People who have a Mental Health disorder or experience other difficulties try to find the median between the want to please others and the need to live a sustainable life, so they don’t feel ashamed, and it can be overwhelming. Embrace your Mental Health and use it as a powerful tool when you know that it’s normal and it defines who you are.

Finding Help

Finding help is also just as hard. Not knowing who else may be affected, understanding the reason why this is happening, finding similar people in similar circumstances, and not receiving the same level of respect as anyone else can be scary. Do not let the fear of not being able to seek help consume you.

My Early Life

Being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in middle school and not being able to function, I needed to find help. Time was spent with five different psychologists, I was finally recommended a volunteer opportunity with an organization I was a part of when I was younger, the Summit Area YMCA. After volunteering for a year, I positioned myself into a full-time role, worked with them for eight years, and my anxiety has reached a level of which I am able to maintain with few setbacks.

Learning About Mental Health

My journey started by learning more about Mental Health. I received training in Mental Health first aid. The training allowed me to learn more about generalized anxiety disorder and other illnesses, which allowed me to be more open about it, talk with others, and provide support. Finding support is important and I have a few tips that have helped me:

Tips to Support Yourself

Wellness plan. Wellness is defined as the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind. Firstyly, you should look to increase your physical activity. Secondly, you should always speak about your Mental Health without being afraid of the actual name of it. Thirdly, never minimize your internal feelings. Finally, and most importantly, always reach out for help even if it may not feel needed.
Self definition. There is always more to a person than just their illness. Do not let your illness define you but instead use that illness to help define your Mental Health. Ask yourself questions to define your own self.
Education. Educate yourself and others on Mental Health, and by doing so, these stigmas will start to drift away. Learning about your own Mental Health will give you the opportunity to share it. Teaching others about your Mental Health will give them the opportunity to share it. Sharing it is what leads to understanding and acceptance.
Coping mechanisms. Everyone functions differently in ways to manage their Mental Health. Music, quiet spaces, reading, going outside or whatever it may be, may work for some and may not work for others. Find what makes you comfortable and use it.
Love yourself. Do not be ashamed, love who you are, and always watch how you think of yourself.

Final Thoughts

You are beautiful.

You are normal.

Embrace your Mental Health.

This post is featured at Buddy Project.