Written by Kathy Maibaum-Perryman, CFNC – A deep passion for mental health and well-being. Using nutrition and lifestyle interventions to support mental wellness and help individuals achieve holistic health.
If you have a question or a nutrition subject you want Kathy to explore for you, send an email to ‘Ask Kathy’ at: BeYourBest344@gmail.com and she will share it to the NAMI Contra Costa Newsletter and Website.
How to Support Your Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in my opinion, it should be observed year-round. Therefore, I challenge you today to take a moment to detox for your mental health. If the first thing you do when you wake up is check what is happening on your social media app, I challenge you to refrain from doing so for one day. Simply take a mental break from social media and engage in activities that nourish your brain. Listen to music and dance, take a walk, try a new healthy recipe, call a friend, or engage in a creative pursuit. The objective is to do something that brings YOU joy, focusing on yourself instead of getting caught up in social media.
If you haven’t practiced mindful meditation before, that is my next challenge for you. Mindful meditation has been shown to offer numerous health benefits, including improved sleep, stress management, and anxiety reduction. Below is a brief article highlighting the benefits. I am including a link to a 5-minute guided mindful meditation that I found on YouTube to help you get started. Also, there are free meditation apps that are worth looking into.
12 Science-Based Benefits of Meditation: https://www.healthline.com/nutr…/12-benefits-of-meditation
A Five Minute Gratitude Practice (Guided Meditation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3P0LN3tRzA
Free Meditation Apps Worthy of Your Attention: https://www.mindful.org/free-mindfulness-apps-worthy-of…/
Remember to be kind to yourself, eat well, stay hydrated, and surround yourself with positivity and it starts with you.
