what does mental health mean?
hi friends! I know that it has been quite a while since I have put out a blog post on here. it hasn’t been on purpose, and in the most un-cheesy way, life has just got in the way. I guess in some ways that’s a good thing - as many of you may know, I started college in August so I’ve been staying busy with lots of new projects. it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows, but what part of life is? and plus, it’s normally the challenging things that help us grow as people, so I feel as if my spiritual plant has grown to ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ heights haha. some of my highs have included starting a beautiful new friendship, taking on a social media and graphic design position with my school’s D1 basketball team, and succeeding (for the most part) in all my classes. some of my lows have included being overwhelmed with assignments, navigating living on my own, and still grieving the loss of my best friend. like I said, not always sunshine and rainbows. in the midst of it all, I’ve wanted to publish on here, but I always want to be intentional with what I put out - not just posting just to post. today is world mental health day, and the sheer importance of today inspired me to write on here and share with all of you.
like the title of this blog suggests, what does mental health mean? many see the word mental health as an interchangeable term for mental illness, but that is not the case! mental health, defined by the World Health Organization, is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community." these last few months, my mental health has been tested more than I ever thought it would as a young adult, yet that's something that many people may not recognize. much of life happens outside "the world’s view" of social media. those moments where you're just alone with your thoughts can be incredibly challenging, but they don't always have to define you. seeking help when you need it and putting your self first should be recognized every day, not just today.
when I feel stressed, here are 4 things that help me return to a good mental health state:
spending time with a friend!
when I first got to college, I struggled with making genuine friendships. it’s something that I’ve always I’ve always struggled with, but I’ve been so blessed with the friend I’ve found in Chloe (pictured below)! we spontaneously met one day on campus and the rest is history. being able to share your feelings and having someone to talk to is so important!
doing some physical activity!
whether it be running, lifting weights, or doing a Zumba class, exercising gives me something to focus on other than whatever is stressing me out. not only that, but it also improves physical health - a win win!
reading!
for those of you who haven’t known me since I was a kid, I’ve always been a book nerd of sorts. I would go through 2-3 books a week in middle school and spend all my free time in the media center (shoutout Mrs. Stratton!) there’s just something about reading that is calming - plus I have the choice to get lost in someone else’s story or relate to one. especially regarding my loss of a loved one, sometimes I can’t express what I’m feeling in my own words, so reading someone else’s experience with grief gives me a different outlet. reading “dancing at the pity party” by Tyler Feder is a great example of this. it’s a graphic memoir whose honesty and vulnerability regarding grief is a gift to anyone who is struggling.
prayer!
when my mental health is not as well as I’d like, it’s usually because I’m relying on my human abilities too much and too little on the divine abilities of God. it’s natural for us to take everything on and feel like we are in control of everything, but God yearns for us to come to Him in prayer and let some things go.
although there have been incredible strides in understanding mental health, making it a priority will continue to normalize it - because that's exactly what it is, normal. take care of yourselves my friends, and if you can't, I promise that there's someone out there who is willing to help you!
