Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, provides a crucial opportunity to highlight the importance of mental health and well-being. As we navigate the complexities of life, this year’s focus is on taking proactive steps to enhance our mental health. The past two years have presented unique challenges, making it more important than ever to prioritize our mental well-being. Here are some practical steps we can take to increase our mental health in 2024. 1. Prioritize Self-Care: Self-care … [Read more...] about Taking Steps Toward Better Mental Well-Being
mental health
Five Ways Houseplants Improve Mental Health
There is a good reason those fiddle leaf figs are flying off the shelves. Houseplants are a boon for your mental health. Stoneside Blinds and Shades surveyed nearly 1,000 people to see how their plants influenced their stress levels with some fascinating results. They found some of the top reasons for purchasing plants are to beautify living spaces (65%), with 54% noting they wanted “to have something else to focus on.” Talking to your plants is apparently normal, with 55% responding that they … [Read more...] about Five Ways Houseplants Improve Mental Health
Navigating the Holidays by Prioritizing Mental Health
The holiday season, with its twinkling lights, festive gatherings and joyful celebrations, can be a magical time of year. However, for many, it can also be a season filled with stress, anxiety and emotional challenges. Balancing the demands of family, social commitments and self-care can be a delicate act, and this is where prioritizing your mental health becomes crucial. Let’s explore some strategies for taking care of yourself during the holidays, including what to say yes to and what to say … [Read more...] about Navigating the Holidays by Prioritizing Mental Health
Bringing Attention to Resources in Recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of mental health. Mental health is a vital component of our overall health and well-being, yet it is often overlooked or stigmatized. Mental health conditions can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. The last three years have had a significant impact on mental health, with many people experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety and … [Read more...] about Bringing Attention to Resources in Recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month
Celebrating, Raising Awareness about Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the United States since 1949. Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, let us join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Let’s help to fight stigma, provide support, learn to take time for ourselves, seek professional help when needed and check in on family, friends and neighbors. The global pandemic has forced us to cope with situations we never imagined, and … [Read more...] about Celebrating, Raising Awareness about Mental Health
Mental Health Community Featuring Documentary to Spread Hope, Fight Suicide
A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader Emma Benoit paralyzed, but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help others find hope and shine more light on the fact that 20 young people die every day by suicide in the United States. “My Ascension” is a feature-length documentary that chronicles Emma’s inspiring journey and quest to walk again, as she works to bring Hope Squad, a school-based suicide prevention program, to Louisiana. The film also highlights the … [Read more...] about Mental Health Community Featuring Documentary to Spread Hope, Fight Suicide
Supporting Youth Mental Health
Earlier this month, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated that young people are facing overwhelming mental health effects as a result of the challenges experienced by their generation. This 53-page report noted that the pandemic intensified already widespread mental health issues. Dr. Murthy issued an urgent call to address the youth mental health crisis. The Surgeon General also recognizes what we know to be true: that mental health cannot be treated separately from our overall … [Read more...] about Supporting Youth Mental Health
How a Short Meditation Can Help
Meditation, which comes in many variations, has long been acknowledged as a tool to master the mind and cope with stress. Research shows that meditation offers not only calm, but also helps with anxiety and depression, cancer, chronic pain, asthma, heart disease and high blood pressure. Mindful Meditation might enhance our capacity to rein in our emotional and physiological responses to stressors, so that the news is less likely to activate our fight or flight system. It might also help us … [Read more...] about How a Short Meditation Can Help
Improving Your Mental Health
Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. Let us all join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Let’s help to fight stigma, provide support, learn to take time for ourselves, seek professional help when needed and check in on family, friends and neighbors. This past year presented so many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never … [Read more...] about Improving Your Mental Health
We are Better When We Move
Turns out the Sundance Kid had it right. “I’m better when I move,” he explained, during a job interview to be a payroll guard, when asked if could shoot. And the truth is, so are we. Except now there’s a whole lot of research backing Sundance up, much like Butch Cassidy’s Hole in the Wall Gang when they were robbing trains (which is a physical activity). Banner Health applauds physical activity. In an article published in 2020, the medical non-profit giant and largest employer in Arizona … [Read more...] about We are Better When We Move
