#mentalhealthmatters

It’s really early morning…I doubt even the chickens are up yet. Woke up so got up and decided to be productive. For several months now I have been bout as tired when I woke up as when I went to bed. Not good!

I discovered something this week when I went in for a checkup. I more than likely am dealing with sleep apnea. I wake myself up snoring a lot, even wake my precious husband but he is ever so gracious and doesn’t tease me about it! So I’ll be going to a sleep specialist to determine the best method of care. I do not want to have to wear a face mask but I do also want to enjoy a full night’s rest and sleep. I can’t imagine what that would feel like.

How many of us know what we should do but for one reason or the other we opt to not do so?

We wait. And wait. And wait. Hoping things will get better on their own than when it gets serious we decided, well, maybe we should go to the doctor or mechanic or dentist! By then it may end up costing us a small fortune to have the situation fixed or be too late. When if we’d have gone to the doctor or mechanic or dentist in the first place, in the beginning, the problem would be over with and our bank account wouldn’t be depleted.

Why do we wait?

 

I dare say the same can be said of our mental health. Sadly, in our society, there is such a negative stigma on mental health that we are seemingly afraid to discuss this very important issue almost as if it’s some sort of catchin’ disease. Hogwash!

It’s like no one wants to acknowledge the elephant in the room. If we had cancer or chronic pain or a broken bone, I’ve no doubt there would be those who would want to help, bring food, encourage us and more. Not so with a mental issue.

Every one of us deals with mental issues because we live in a sin-filled world and there’s just junk that is always going on around us. That’s the way God created us for we are a triune being: spirit, soul and body! Our soul, which is our mind, will and emotions, is where we deal with those issues. And our Heavenly Poppa longs to see us blessed abundantly, John 10:10 in all areas! He desires for us to live happy and stress-free. 3 John 1:2 tells us that God would have us to be in good health even as our soul prospers. For that to happen, we must examine mental health and all it entails!

The elephant in the room needs to be addressed.

I’ve dealt with some form or issue all my life. For most of my life, I’ve felt ashamed because I’ve dealt with a mental issue. How defeating is that? If I had a broken leg I’d be all over making sure I took good care of myself. Why then do we as a society seem to cast others aside when we suspect they have something wrong in the head? How wrong is that?! And how so very sad!

(I used Ky statistics because that’s where I live.) According to the 2018 the annual report at Americas Health Rankings (www.americashealthrankings.org) in Kentucky, poor mental health days are more common in women (4.3 days) compared with men (3.1 days). And younger adults aged 18-44 had (4.2 days) poor mental health days. Yes, I’d say it’s needful to acknowledge the elephant in the room.

I challenge you to begin addressing your own mental health.

What are you doing to improve your mental health?

Here are some suggestions:

1. Begin today doing something fun just for you.

I am learning to sketch. This is for my personal enjoyment.

You can begin today taking a 10 minute stroll around your neighborhood. I love gettin out in the woods by our home.

Form a new hobby…something you enjoy!

2. Learn to be present

That means no more zoning out when things or emotions get tough. Ya gotta feel it before you can heal it! That’s a sucky saying but it packs a wallop of truth too! Learning to be present in pain and good times means more healing and loads of growth! I have discovered journaling helps me to process during these times.

3. Be kind to yourself

Oh goodness..this one has been hard for me. I grew up hearing all the negative garbage bout how I’d never amount to anything…bout how lazy and useless I was…how they wished I’d never of been born…of how I was only born to give men and women sexual pleasure and so much more horrid junk.

Now, though, now I know those were a pack of lies!

I am learning to rock my life! I am learning how to step into the calling God has placed on my life! I am learning to love myself…if I can’t love me then I most assuredly can’t love my neighbor which is a commandment! Mark 12:31 “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

 

Today I encourage you to begin your own mental health renewal! Why? It’s simple! Because you are so worth it.

I’d love to hear what you’re doing for you today! Drop me a line!

You can email me at brokenpiecesnomore@gmail.com or drop a line here!

Together we can make a difference with our mental health!

Have a blessed day!