Mental Health Check-In

 

Mental Health Check-In: Reflecting on Yesterday's World Mental Health Day



It's true what they say. Sometimes you need to hear it from someone else to believe it.

I recently had a chat with a friend who raised my energy levels a step higher. You might be wondering what he said to me. His words ,to the best of my memory, was that I have a unique energetic character that unknowingly fuels the people around me. "You are excited by everything that comes your way," were his words " But that excitement could ultimately be your downfall". And he brought my greatest fears to reality. Cut them out and tossed them on the grass right in front of me to see clearly. To see how overly invested and committed I have been. How terribly anxiety induced, stressed and burnt-out I could be. This post is a personal reminder to myself I hope it touches more than just me as I write and as you read.

 Yesterday, October 10th, was World Mental Health Day. It's a day dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues and promoting mental well-being. As we continue to navigate the challenges of life, it's essential to take time for self-reflection and prioritize our mental health. This is something I had long forgotten during this semester. I had hit the road running blindly without realizing I was running in a forest.

In this blog post, we'll explore some questions to help us do a mental health check-in and reflect on our experiences over the past year. We'll also discuss strategies for managing burnout, stress, and anxiety.

Reflecting on the Past Year - Journal Time! 

  • How have you been feeling physically and emotionally? Have you experienced any significant changes in your mood, energy levels, or overall well-being?
  • What were some of the major events or challenges you faced in the past year? How did these events impact your mental health?
  • Have you been able to manage stress and anxiety effectively? What strategies have worked well for you, and what areas could you improve upon?
  • Have you been taking care of your physical health? Are you getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy food?
  • Have you been spending time with loved ones and engaging in activities you enjoy? Social connection and hobbies can play a vital role in maintaining mental well-being.

Understanding Burnout, Stress, and Anxiety

Burnout, stress, and anxiety are common mental health challenges. It's important to recognize the signs and symptoms of these conditions so that you can take steps to address them.

Signs of burnout:

  • Emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained and lacking energy.
  • Physical symptoms: Experiencing headaches, fatigue, or digestive problems.
  • Reduced productivity: Struggling to concentrate or complete tasks.
  • Cynicism: Feeling detached or disengaged from work or other responsibilities.

Signs of stress:

  • Physical symptoms: Experiencing rapid heartbeat, sweating, or muscle tension.
  • Emotional symptoms: Feeling irritable, anxious, or overwhelmed.
  • Cognitive symptoms: Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions.

Signs of anxiety:

  • Excessive worry: Constantly worrying about future events or negative outcomes.
  • Physical symptoms: Experiencing rapid heartbeat, sweating, or difficulty breathing.
  • Avoidance behavior: Avoiding situations or activities that trigger anxiety.

Strategies for Managing Burnout, Stress, and Anxiety

  • Practice self-care: Prioritize activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time in nature.
  • Set boundaries: Learn to say no to commitments that are overwhelming or draining.
  • Manage stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga.
  • Seek social support: Connect with friends, family, or support groups.
  • Seek professional help: If you're struggling to manage burnout, stress, or anxiety on your own, consider talking to a therapist or counselor.


Taking the time to do a mental health check-in can provide valuable insights into your well-being. By understanding the signs of burnout, stress, and anxiety, and implementing effective coping strategies, you can prioritize your mental health and live a more fulfilling life. Remember, you're not alone, and there are resources available to help you.

I am currently on day 5 of my Mindfulness Challenge on the Gratitude App

When you have the time, join me in this prompt:

'Write about a simple joy you experienced recently'

Share this with anyone you think might need it.

Stay Blessed and Thank you for reading.

Proverbs 16:3


Popular posts from this blog

Mindfulness Techniques- My story

Image
  Mindfulness   ( noun)   -a therapeutic technique that involves focusing one's awareness on the present moment, calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. It sounds very technical when defined like that. Allow me to elaborate using my own experiences? The mind is a complex feature in our body's system. Every part of the body is equally important but I like to place the mind right at the top of the list.  The mind allows us to exercise the one gift God graced us with. Choice. Life is choices . Deciding to get out of bed will impact the rest of your day. Deciding what color sweater to wear will impact your mood. Deciding what to career path to choose will impact your life. Choices, choices, choices. We can't run away from them. If you've ever played the simulation game called " Choices ", you understand what I mean. We may not be deciding whether to hook up with our Vampire bosses or deciding whether we want to att
Read more

3 things you can do for your mental health.

Image
The first blog of the year...     It is a new year oh yes it is!  It is time to start again. To restart, to refresh, to reapply ourselves to bettering ourselves.  This month I would like us to look deeply into the mind. I am not an expert I am just somebody who is trying to help myself not slip into the same cycles repeatedly. Without further ado, I think we can begin.   Let's dive into it. Mental health? Mental health awareness? Mental health tips.  As I said- I am no expert. I am merely a victim of the many traumatizing events this life throws at us trying my best to keep sane. Moreover, I want everyone around me to be sane as well. It is a group therapy type of thing, you know?   Sometimes we get overwhelmed. It's ok to admit when you are. We need to keep things balanced and give ourselves some time. Living shouldn't always be hard. Keeping yourself in check is actually as easy as one, two, and three...     1. Open up about your feelings! Hu
Read more

10 HABITS TO IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

Image
Do you find yourself constantly falling behind schedule or missing deadlines? Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your game while looking good. 1. Prioritize tasks It is very easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of tasks we have to do in the space of 24 hours. The time just doesn't seem enough. Given that within that time one has to sleep, eat and travel? It might seem impossible to get anything done at all.  Prioritizing your tasks can help to lessen the burden, and cancels out one task; deciding where to start. Organizing your day with a daily planner app or to do list can make a great difference. Arranging them in order of importance can help you use most of your energy on the big things and leave you calm while you finish up the little things. If you'd like some To-do list apps for your PC click  here. 2. Break down big projects Sometimes the problem isn't the time, its how complex the task is. If you have to finish up an assignment in one day it might seem
Read more