What's on your Mind?

Welcome to the "Activate Your Life" Blog

This blog is designed to provide you a platform to share and receive information that will help you get unstuck and Activate Your Life! Since our struggles and traumas are not exclusive, the blog posts you will find here are not necessarily original, but when taken to heart and applied to your life they are life-changing.

As we begin the new year with the desire to become our best self and create our best life it is important to recognize that our mental health affects how we cope with life. An unhealthy mental state can lead to loss of identity, hopelessness and sadness, worthlessness, feeling guilty, anxiety and unkept promises.

January is Mental Wellness Month, which is an excellent place to start. An excellent place to begin your journey to becoming your best self and creating your best life! Mental health matters. Taking care of our mental health aids in our resilience and recovery from anything that happens.

Below are some tips on ways to boost your mental wellness this January—and far beyond.

Mindfulness: Noticing the five senses can be powerful, so get out those aromatherapy oils and take a nice deep breath. Take time to eat mindfully by focusing on what tastes you are experiencing and how it actually feels to nourish your body. Get cozy under a soft blanket–or head outside to take a walk and feel the sun on your skin, even on the cold days. Put on some music, or simply be still–what sounds do you notice most?

Hydration: Drink that water! Yes, it can be hard to drink when it’s so cold out, but in the dry winter it is just as important to stay hydrated as it is in summer. For a warm alternative, add some lemon and honey to some warm water or consider a cup of herbal tea.

Movement: When you’re feeling down, lounging around and doing nothing might feel like the preferable option, but inactivity can actually increase negative emotions. Physical activity, on the other hand, engages both your brain and body, and can increase the feel-good chemicals in your brain. The idea of physical activity might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be as simple as doing some light stretching, going for a walk around the block or even cleaning your home.

Spirituality: Remember to look for opportunities to develop your spiritual well-being in every-day life. Taking time in the morning (or even before bed) to breathe deeply (in and out, in and out) for even a few minutes will help you build a sense of balance in both body and spirit–and allow time for self-reflection. Be intentional about praying and reading the Word of God!

If you find yourself feeling more stressed than relieved by your chosen self-care activities, don’t beat yourself up. Mental wellness is a journey. Be patient with yourself and continue to prioritize your mental wellness–even if that means trying multiple self-care activities in order to find what works best for you.

Take a moment to take inventory of you. Pull out your journal and use the following as your journal prompt for today. Are you living your best life? What would your best life look like? In addition, consider joining the Activate Your Life Community if you have not already done so.