Mental Health IS Health
May is Mental Health Awareness month.
Mental health IS health... you can eat the vegetables, you can drink the water, you can do the exercise... but, if you don't deal with the negative sh*t in your head you aren't healthy. Mind & body are not separate.
As a person who struggled with depression for most of her life, I can tell you that it is 100% possible to overcome it. I am living proof.
How did I do it?
1. I changed my circle of influence...
"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes." -unknown... Whoever said this was right. You are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with. When I was in abusive/dysfunctional environments it was impossible to escape the grips of depression... I always felt like there was something wrong with me because I couldn't shake it & just be happy.
Removing yourself from environments/relationships that contain abuse/gaslighting/manipulation/dysfunction is essential to regaining all aspects of health... If you have to choose between someone/something & your mental health… choose your mental health. Every time. Sometimes it is “It's not me, it's you. Byeeee!”✌🏻and that’s ok. 😉
2. I changed my diet...
Depression & anxiety are linked to inflammation in the brain & poor gut health. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet that promotes good gut bacteria diversity did wonders for my physical & mental health. You are what you eat.
3. Therapy/Coaching...
Working through negative self-talk has been instrumental in my overall health. I am not my thoughts. Realizing this & learning to treat myself with love completely transformed how I show up in the world for the better. It made me healthier physically too because I became consistent in the actions it takes to keep me healthy. Before therapy/coaching I abused my body with food, exercise, and anything else because the negative voice in my head was so loud. I didn’t feel deserving of health & happiness, so I didn’t allow myself to have it. Today I do, and I am healthy & happy because of this mental shift.
4. Sobriety…
We can't heal what we don't feel. Getting sober has allowed me to heal so many emotional wounds that plagued me most of my life. Sobriety isn't about alcohol. Sobriety is about being present. Sobriety is feeling my feelings instead of avoiding them using alcohol, food, exercise, sex, relationships, shopping, mindlessly scrolling social media, working too much, etc. like I used to do. Prior to getting sober, even though I had mostly overcome my chronic depression, it still creeped back in on a semi-regular basis, but after getting sober, it’s VERY rare that it comes back, and when it does, it’s very brief. Learning to feel, process & release my emotions allows me to move through depressive episodes quickly… it keeps hope nearby, even in the darkness, because I know from experience this too shall pass.
5. Regulating my nervous system…
I will admit that this is new to me, and I’m not always perfect at it, but I am getting better all the time. Incorporating yoga & Somatic practices into my daily life has given me some control over my emotions, instead of being controlled by my emotions. Being connected to my body allows me to experience joy… it allows me to release trauma that has burdened me physically & mentally… it allows me to feel my best in every way… it allows me to live my life fully. Our nervous system dictates how we show up in this world, if it’s dysregulated, we’re reactive, anxious, depressed, distracted, disconnected from ourselves & others, we self-sabotage, and more… regulate your nervous system & you’ll win at life.
If you struggle with mental health, please know that you’re not alone, and there is hope. You have the ability to completely transform your life. There is no shame in seeking help… it’s not weakness… it’s fucking brave.
✨You deserve to live a life you love.
✨You deserve to feel good.
✨You deserve happiness.
Have the audacity to claim it.💖