EMOTIONAL HEALTH IS ESSENTIAL

By: Amanda Fludd

If you’ve been following RallyUp you know that mental health applies to everyone and it’s all about our overall health and well-being. As society has been catapulted into the pandemic of Covid-19, we want you to remember your emotional health is still essential and more than ever want to encourage you to find balance in the chaos and nurture yourself, especially if you are coping with mental illness like depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.

You see, feeling your feelings isn’t the same as reacting to it. Right now we are dying of boredom, afraid to get to close to others, irritated with loved ones, stressed about work and finances, beyond the blues, or just numb because we are tired of feeling and it’s the best way to get through the day. Since we have to “shelter in place”, we just aren’t as busy and distracted as normal and that leaves us vulnerable to uncomfortable emotions, but you are not alone, the entire world shares your experience and the good news is, you can feel it, and not respond to it.

Just like on the plane, the oxygen mask needs to go on your first. If you are taking care of your emotional health, it makes it easier for you to then care for other’s. Here are a few suggestions: Nurture yourself first: What’s been working for you? Maybe it’s taking some time alone, going for walks, playing or even learning an instrument, listening to the remix battle on IG or just talking with friends or a colleague. Take a break: Taking in too much news and social media only heightens the anxiety. Set a cap for the day.

and spark hope: Ask yourself: What am I grateful for today? What do I miss and what do I appreciate about that? Or How am I using my gifts and giving to the world today. Take care of your body: The body and the mind are so deeply connected. Get active and you let go of stress (which contributes to weight gain and medical issues) and it helps to improve your mood and wellbeing. Eat healthy, and maintain your sleep routine. Poor sleep is the first sign of mental trouble. How else are you creatively coping? Get on IG @Rallyup and let us know! Do a little every day to thrive through this season and if it is more than you can handle, remember it’s ok to not be ok during this time of crisis. Therapy is always an option and just about all therapists and even psychiatrists are offering online therapy and most insurances are even waiving copays. My practice, Kensho Psychotherapy Service, for example is 100% online and we’ve expanded to see clients in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. To get to us visit www.amandafludd.com or to find a therapist near you: www.therapyforblackgirls.com, www.psychologytoday.com or www.openpathcollective.org. For 24/7 support: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

We expect this will be a difficult time for many people, but if you focus on your mental health now, it will be a lot easier when we emerge again as a community. #Inthistogether #RallyUp #Therapyisdope

Sending positive and healing vibes,

 /  @therapyisdope Additional Resources to Support Your Emotional Health: The YMCA is offering many free online classes at https://ymca360.org/ Check out Pop Sugar Fitness videos on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/popsugartvfit/videos Down Dog, Yoga for Beginners, HIIT, Barre, and 7 Minute Workout Apps - completely free until May 1st. Take a free course at Yale on Happiness: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being? Curious Tribes is facilitating free support groups and ways to connect with others: https://www.joincurio.com/ A Free Wellness Summit via Zoom with a therapist previously highlighted Ms. Katiuscia Gray and Amanda Fludd through April, 2020. Eventbrite: And phenomenal live talks on issues that matter to our community on Facebook @Therapyisdope (the one that says Amanda Fludd). Mindful.org has Free Mindfulness Resources to Find Calm and Nourish Resilience During the COVID Outbreak