By AGNES PASCO CONATY
Courtesy of Agnes Pasco Conaty
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and what better time than spring to focus on mental fitness?
Many of us pay a good deal of attention to our physical fitness, but mental well-being is just as important. We try to eat healthier, go to the gym, walk around the neighborhood. We may look well on the outside but inside is a different story.
I recently sat in on a mental health leadership forum at Goddard Space Flight Center where I work. Two things from that discussion especially resonated with me: First, that we each can give ourselves permission to prioritize our mental health, and second, that doing so is not selfish. Indeed, I see taking good care of my mental health to be a necessary piece of my overall wellness.
So many things can negatively affect our mental health. The recent layoffs, economic uncertainties, bad news and problems in our relationships with co-workers, friends and family members can all impact our own mental health. But there are also ways we can balance out negative impacts, take healthier control of our lives and build a strong sense of self-worth. I’d like to share some of my own favorite techniques for taking good care of my mental health.
First of all, spend time in prayer. Whether at church, at home, or anywhere you are, you will find peace in meditation. At St. Mary of the Mills, for example, there are support groups that are welcoming and friendly.
Go outside. Being in nature and going outdoors have many benefits. It reduces stress, can lower heart rate and may moderate feelings of anxiety and depression. Laurel is blessed with beautiful parks such as Patuxent Research Refuge and Granville Gude and Riverfront parks. When we feel we need a timeout, going out in the sun and breathing fresh air will enhance our mood and can boost our morale. Appreciate the blue skies, the sound of nature, the perfection of flowers, the promise of a glorious day. Going outside is not only a fleeting pastime – it’s therapeutic.
Journal your thoughts. Have a notebook to write down the date, time, location, reflections and observations. Every Friday, I give students in my environment science class a mental health day, and we do nature journaling. Through the power of observation and attention to detail, we use our senses to capture the essence of a blooming flower with a sketch. We might then label its parts, take note of our reflections or even write a poem.
Get the moral support you need from family, friends and community. At the Laurel Library, yoga classes and Wellness Wednesdays are support spaces to try. The latter provides access to a therapist or a counselor. And at Ragamuffins Coffee House, there is Zine and Tea, where residents can gather together, have coffee, doodle, journal or share stories. It’s low cost and fun.
Heal through creativity. Make the Laurel arts scene an avenue for mental wellbeing. At Montpellier Arts Center, there’s a wide range of choices from poetry to pottery, allowing residents to immerse themselves in affordable workshops.
Visit an animal shelter. Making connections with a cat or a dog is a great stress reliever, reduces depression and can be a source of joy. At Laurel Cats, you can pet or adopt a cat.
You are worthy of happiness and peace of mind. That’s why you need to invest in and take care of both your physical and mental health.
