Focusing On Our Mental Health

Before we get started, I’d like to take a moment and say you have made it through 100% of your worst days. Keep trying and shining, you have truly got this!

May is Mental Health Awareness month and this is the perfect time to reflect inward and really get in touch with our minds and bodies. At Ryan Porter we love to talk about mental health for many reasons, but we feel it is especially important to continue to fight the stigma surrounding these discussions. If you have ordered from our website, you know that upon checkout you have the opportunity to donate a dollar to one or all three of our selected causes. One of our causes is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, which is dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depressive, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Here’s the thing, everyone has mental health. That doesn’t mean that everybody feels or struggles in the exact same way, but it does mean that we all need to periodically check in with ourselves and feel what is going on.

Let’s start with our beautiful minds! Your inner monologue is POWERFUL: you listen to it 24/7. What does it sound like, is she your biggest fan or your worst critic? Let’s say you forgot an important task or date, are you saying something along the lines of, ‘I can’t do anything right’ or even ‘I’m so dumb”? Allow me to challenge this negative self talk spiral, this is a moment for growth! Instead of catastrophizing the situation or only paying attention to the negative, think about how you can improve and ready yourself for this situation in the future. Here is a good rule of thumb- if you wouldn’t talk to a friend that way, do not talk to yourself that way either!

Now lets move our bodies. Our bodies are mighty and powerful, just like our minds. Your body craves any form of movement; walks, dancing to a new song, stretching our limbs and working out. An important distinction to point out is that working out our bodies should never be a form of punishment. Instead it should be a celebration of what our body can do and how we feel while doing it! An easy way to turn a bad day around is to move your body, extra points if you are able to do this outside!

Speaking of bad days, let’s talk stress management and self care/love. These are crucial practices for taking care of our mental health! You can even discuss with your family and/or friends how they self regulate and share your experiences. Don’t forget about the importance of talking with friends, neighbors or loved ones. Sometimes you may need to vent or simply talk out some feelings you are having. In most cases, you will find that the person you are talking with will also want to share what they are going through. Finding connections like these are empowering and incredibly comforting. It shows us that we are not alone and we can relate to most of the people around us. Here are some ways our team at Ryan Porter prioritize their mental health.

me time, mental health month, work life balance, pets

lana del rey, meal prep, mental health month

I recently heard a friend say to think of your body as a plant. Plants need soil, sun, water, gentle movement and love. Did you know in moments of high stress and anxiety we can physically ground ourselves in the soil like a plant? This technique is called grounding or earthing and is incredibly easy; simply take off your shoes and allow your bare feet to sink into the ground and focus on your surroundings while taking deep breaths. You can do this in the grass, on the beach, in the water and even in the dirt! Get your body into that sunlight, cloudy days still count! The APA notes that “exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.”

It is important to note, that any changes we are making to positively impact our mental health, should be in small, sustainable increments. Don’t focus on changing everything immediately. If you want to start moving your body, try going for walks three times a week. Maybe you want to start eating healthier: add new vegetables and fruits into your meals a few times a week! Growth is not solely linear, it ebbs and flows. Some days we can give 100%, other days we can give 30%. If you are in a season of surviving; that’s okay! We are preparing and readying ourselves to be able to thrive.

TL;DR- Think of yourself as a glorified house plant. You need sun, water, soil, gentle movement and love <3

Mental Health America has put together a tool kit of free and practical resources for this year’s mental health month. They are asking people to “look around and look within.” Head to the MHA website to download their 2023 tool kit. MHA has put together 24/7 resources which we will share below:

24/7 RESOURCES

MHA Screening: Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine if you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Our screens are free, confidential, and scientifically validated.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in distress – you don’t need to be suicidal to reach out. Call 1-800-273-8255 to be connected with a crisis counselor. Crisis counselors who speak Spanish are available at 1-888-628-9454.

988 Textline: When you text 988, you will complete a short survey letting the crisis counselor know a little about your situation. You will be connected with a trained crisis counselor in a crisis center who will answer the text, provide support, and share resources if needed.

Crisis Text Line: If you prefer texting to talking on the phone, text MHA to 741-741 to be connected with a crisis counselor who will help you get through your emotions.

Warmlines: Warmlines are staffed by trained peers who have been through their own mental health struggles and know what it’s like to need someone to talk to. Visit here for more information on warmlines.

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Focusing On Our Mental Health

Before we get started, I’d like to take a moment and say you have made it through 100% of your worst days. Keep trying and shining, you have truly got this!

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