Tens of millions of individuals recurrently battle with psychological sickness — and the stigma that may generally accompany it. It’s why the theme of this 12 months’s Psychological Well being Consciousness Month, “You Are Not Alone,” is such a vital message. The extra we speak about psychological well being, and the extra we share our personal tales, the much less alienating that battle can be.
To that finish, Garmin invited social media ambassadors to take to Instagram to share their very own particular person relationships to psychological well being — and boy did they ship. From private tales about prenatal/postnatal nervousness to suggestions and methods for self-care, the next shared experiences function a robust reminder that, actually, you’re not alone.
Kirsten Myers @sweatadventures
Like so many others, my psychological well being struggles begin with nervousness. I’ve handled nervousness since a really younger age, and now in my 30s, it’s nonetheless one thing I cope with on a weekly foundation. Over time I’ve discovered that in sharing my private challenges with others, I’m not alone! Opening up is tough, however generally sharing is step one to coping. You by no means know once you would possibly assist another person or another person would possibly assist you to.
For me psychological and bodily well being go hand in hand. I view train and motion as medication for the soul. Like some prescriptions, it needs to be tailor-made to your particular person wants. It isn’t one-size-fits-all. I personally deal with what makes me really feel good and do extra of what makes me really feel good after I can. Generally that’s a exercise class at my favourite fitness center, whereas different occasions, it’d simply be being out in nature with my household. Once I make motion and breath a precedence, my life feels extra in move and fewer chaotic. Because of this, I really feel much less anxious and fewer irritable.
Through the years, actually tuning into my physique has helped me discover methods to make nervousness extra tolerable. In doing that, I used to be in a position to keep away from triggers and make way of life modifications that in the end gave me a extra constructive vibration!
Christina Wherry @thickgirlyogala
I started writing/journaling to launch recurring ideas that saved me awake most nights. I shared my coronary heart, thoughts and soul as each phrase was penciled into my journal — the main points of my inside self whereas making an attempt to empower my outer self. I might intimately share what I had been by, what I’m going by and the teachings discovered throughout every interval. I’ve used writing to remain current and centered on therapeutic from the within out.
Talicia Jackson @foodiewithafro
I used to be raised in a Southern dwelling and grew up Baptist. In church we’d shout and reward for all the things. Dangerous day? Shout. Misplaced your job? Shout. Getting divorced? Shout and dance. I even recall seeing individuals shouting and dancing at a funeral; I used to be so confused. In my thoughts, to be a “good Christian” additionally meant to be unhappy, mad or something that wasn’t completely satisfied wasn’t permitted.
Fortunately, I’ve been in a position to evolve my understanding. I’ve been to remedy, each out and in of church, and now extra precisely admire the coping strategies my childhood showcased.
Most individuals can run the gambit of feelings in a day or week; processing feelings totally is a crucial and integral piece to an individual’s psychological well being. I’m now conscious that I could be a good individual and in addition really feel anger or unhappiness. I’ve discovered to really feel my feelings totally and course of them in a extra full approach. In my case, it took remedy and a willingness to see issues in an up to date approach.
In my group, many individuals have a mind-set that at occasions may be extra crippling than empowering. Black individuals and psychological well being are rarely spoken about in the identical phrase or sentence. If I had been to guess, I’d say it’s because of the stigmas which are connected to in search of knowledgeable for an inside concern. My hope is that as general well being turns into one thing that each one persons are extra centered on, that help for inside issues turns into extra wanted and out there as properly.
Tiffany Leonardo @curl.crush.yoga
Psychological well being took on actual which means in my life after I skilled burnout. It occurred at a time the place I used to be doing yoga 5-6 occasions per week, working 11-hour days at my company job and instructing 1-3 yoga lessons per week. Admitting I used to be a stressed-out yoga instructor was a harsh actuality that I had face. My physique’s expertise with burnout was a frozen shoulder and taking pictures ache in my neck. For the only of actions, like washing my hair, I needed to ask for assist.
When my physique turned motionless, I made a decision I wanted to make a change. I shifted from “doing” yoga to “being” yoga by incorporating the yogic philosophies and inspirational themes on self-care into my way of life. Taking these practices off the mat was after I actually began receiving the true advantages of yoga! Quick ahead 4 years and at present I’m way more conscious of my self-care BUT nonetheless a pupil, at all times staying interested in new practices to maintain current, like taking a breath with my Garmin Venu® 2.
Brooke Leavitt @happyhealthybrookie
Psychological well being is one thing I’m extremely keen about. A lot in order that I made a decision to go to grad college so I could be a therapist and assist others rework their very own psychological well being; to allow them to push by their challenges, take management of their lives and attain each objective they ever dreamed of. Struggles with psychological well being shouldn’t be one thing we’re ever ashamed of. I’ll hold being an advocate to proceed to assist break the stigma.
In my very own life, my psychological and bodily well being have a detailed relationship. Once I make motion and train a precedence in my life, my complete angle and perspective is a lot extra constructive, resilient and affected person. However generally my psychological well being calls me to take a break from demanding bodily exercise and take a nap or go for a stroll. In tandem with train, implementing moments of every day stillness has been integral to my psychological well being — whether or not that be meditation, journaling or simply sitting outdoors in my yard underneath the tree.
All through my being pregnant, I handled prenatal nervousness and after the delivery of my daughter, I skilled loads of postpartum nervousness for the primary few months. I continuously had emotions of dread, stress, racing ideas and an elevated coronary heart price. Solely not too long ago have I felt like I’m lastly popping out of it and feeling extra like myself. I used to be in a position to acknowledge I couldn’t do it alone and wanted assist, so I reached out to family members round me for assist and in addition underwent some private remedy. I discovered that in sharing my challenges with different mothers, I spotted how widespread my very own experiences had been and that I wasn’t alone.
Psychological Well being Consciousness Month could also be over, however that doesn’t imply the dialog has to cease — or that it ought to. Excited about sharing your personal suggestions and methods for prioritizing your psychological well being? We will’t wait to listen to it — and don’t neglect to tag us @GarminWellness.
