Small Steps to Improve Health and Wellness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is a great time to share resources and educational information to help combat the stigma associated with mental health concerns. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five Americans will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. Due to the prevalence of this issue, it is critical to do something to promote mental health every day; just as we should with our physical health.

Self-Care

Self-care is the act of doing something for oneself that provides a sense of peace and relaxation, improves focus or simply provides a break from daily, mundane activities. Planning to regularly incorporate self-care into your daily routine will help the practice become a part of your daily life, and can lead to increased mental clarity and improved overall health and wellness.

“I highly recommend people give themselves easily achievable goals to start,” said Linda Jakes, LISW-S, Executive Director of Concord Counseling Services (700 Brooksedge Blvd.). "When you take small steps and are successful, it gives you the impetus to add on and continue on your journey.”

“A self-care plan can be something as small as sitting quietly and breathing for 15 minutes every morning or even treating yourself to an ice cream cone once a week,” said Mike Preston, MSW, LSW, Director of Clinical Operations at Concord. “When creating a self-care plan, it should be very specific and behavior-focused, in terms of what you’re going to do, and then have someone aware of that plan to hold you accountable to it. The best thing to do is to do it as a team; with an accountability buddy.”

Connect with People Who Share Similar Paths

Creating social connections is a great way to boost mental health. Westerville Parks & Recreation offers a wide range of programs that present opportunities for participants to create meaningful connections with other community members. Explore current offerings in the class catalog.

Spending time with people who understand your unique journey can also improve your ability to recover from stress, anxiety and depression, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jakes and Preston recommend support groups, which provide safe spaces for connection with people dealing with similar issues.

“There are a lot of support groups out there with people who have similar experiences and that can really combat feelings of isolation,” said Preston. “There’s understanding that comes from the other folks in the group. They just understand.”

“Finding that niche and establishing that support net can be tremendously helpful,” said Jakes. “There are a lot of groups out there, and they’re usually free.”

When to Seek Professional Help

Sometimes preventative measures can eliminate the need for a higher level of care, but that is not always the case. Anyone who is experiencing persistent feelings of isolation, anger, depression or hopelessness is encouraged to seek professional help.

If you or a loved one have thoughts of self-harm, call or text #988 to be connected with a crisis specialist or visit the nearest emergency room.

To learn more about Concord Counseling Services, visit www.concordcounseling.org