I had a terrible habit of neglecting my own mental health in the spirit of making sure others around me were okay but if you are not okay, how are you going to take care of others?

Without good mental health, life becomes very difficult to navigate.

Just like physical health, mental health can be maintained and improved with the right care. However, when mental health is neglected, a person can start to experience a decline in their well-being.

Serene Health

You have to prioritise your emotions; you have to learn to make mental health the focal point of your life because once that’s neglected, you will crash …which is what happened to me, and it was horrendous. It resulted in me having multiple crying spells, suicidal ideation, and negligence towards myself because I was in such a hurry to get this and that done, only for me to crash mentally. What did I do?

I slowed down.

My body forced me to slow down. I rested, I ate properly, showered, gave myself a nothing day. This is a day you do absolutely nothing productive, it allows you to rest and reset your mind. Of course you would have little moments of adrenaline but you need to slow down.

The moment you slow down you’re able to navigate things better. Understood sometimes some things are easier said than done but if you can care for others, you can care for yourself.

Surround yourself with people who care about you, not people you think you should be around, to appease them. The people you surround yourself with can either negatively or positively affect your mental health. From family, your work colleagues, and your partner. Do any of them negatively impact you? 

Whilst you are in the midst of everything, it’s worth reassessing the situation(s) and getting a second opinion from someone you trust. When you do not prioritise your mental health, you are prone to experiencing burnout, depression, various anxiety disorders and possibly other mental illnesses. Take it from someone who has (GAD) Generalised Anxiety Disorder. You don’t want this.

I used to have weekly episodes, sometimes multiple in a day but since the beginning of the year. I’ve had one full blown anxiety episode. How? I have been prioritising my mental health.

Five different ways to prioritise your mental health;

1. Exercise
2. Set boundaries
3. Practice gratitude
4. Slow down/take a break
5. Reach out and ask for help

Remember, caring for yourself is not selfish. Feeling anxious about putting yourself first is okay, and you may shake, but hold your ground; it will be alright. You may still be apprehensive at some points in your journey—I do, too—but don’t stop prioritising yourself.

Mental Health and wellness is a journey not a destination and we will be together the entire time. You’ll never be alone.