How Are You Taking Care of Your Emotional Well-Being During Mental Health Awareness Month?

Chris Meek — Wed, 20 May 2020 13:24:51 -0400

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Normally local events and in-person initiatives and screenings would take place throughout the country all month long to lessen the stigma surrounding mental health and provide much-needed resources. After all, our mental health is ultimately a vital aspect of our physical health.

Though in-person events may look different or may not be permissible in your state this month, it is still important that we use this time to reflect on our mental health and emotional well-being. This is especially true now, more than ever, as we wade through unprecedented times as a result of the pandemic.

Many veterans have found creative ways to maintain their stress, take their mind off of current uncertainties and to use as an outlet for any pent-up emotions they may be experiencing. This includes everything from painting, bike riding, and knitting, to reading, cleaning and baking.

No matter what may ease your mind, it is important that as we move forward, we are able to identify what works the best for us and engage in those activities whenever feelings of stress, anxiety or depression arise.

Beyond that I think it’s important that as we continue to check-in with ourselves and others, we are able to openly talk about mental health in a manner that is helpful and productive. One way to do this is to share what activities have worked for you to manage stress, in order to provide ideas that may prove useful to others and to continue a constructive dialogue.

In the spirit of sharing, I have found that running on the tread mill several times a week has not only proven to be effective for maintaining my mental health, but also has had a positive impact on my heart, body and overall physical health.

In fact, running has been so effective for me that I started an event on the Facebook page of my non-profit ReachStrong, called BrainHealth Run, where I invite others to join me on a virtual run three times a week as a way to de-stress, nurture our mental health and to incite candid discussion about mental health related topics as we workout. (For those who are interested, you can follow along on our virtual BrainHealth Run on the ReachStrong Facebook page here: https://rly.pt/ReachStrong ).

There are also a plethora of other virtual activities that are currently made available to veterans. This includes everything from virtual yoga and meditation sessions that utilize military approved practices to treat trauma, all the way to self-care workshops for veterans covering topics ranging from mental health to employment counseling. And of course, telehealth mental health services have been made widely available and remain an effective option for many who seek one-on-one guidance. Any of these services could prove to have a positive impact on mental health and may be worth checking out for those who are seeking additional mental health resources at this time. Best of all, you can easily find more information about these resources through a quick Google search.

Let’s empower one another this month to become more in-tune with our individual mental health needs and make more time for the activities that have a positive impact in our lives. And remember, we don’t have to stop these activities once the pandemic ends. We can and should engage in them for as long as they continue to have a positive impact on our mental health.

ReachStrong

ReachStrong, Stamford, Connecticut. 79 likes. We are here to foster and support mental health, focusing on empowerment, well-being and suicide prevention.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 20 at 2020 1:35 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 20 May 2020 13:35:34 -0400

Keeping my mind busy with work.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made May 20 at 2020 2:47 PM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Wed, 20 May 2020 14:47:15 -0400

My wife and I are protecting ourselves. Our community shows very cases or death via this virus. We walk and I bike 120 miles/month. I continue to offer clinical advice for free to vets in my area.
Rich

Response by TSgt Jack Oberholtzer made May 20 at 2020 11:22 PM

TSgt Jack Oberholtzer — Wed, 20 May 2020 23:22:41 -0400

Volunteer at the local animal shelter, doing some home improvements, trying to spend some time with my grandchildren (3 and 2 on the way) and the occasional blast down the road on a motorcycle for some wind therapy. I need the gyms to open back up or I am going to be too big to leave the dang house.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made May 21 at 2020 8:58 PM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Thu, 21 May 2020 20:58:15 -0400

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMf4IhEE_Y4
The hike in to my fishing holes is like two hard workouts at the gym. It is great training.
Over

May 20, 2020

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2020 8:17 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2020 20:17:08 -0400

I will be just fine as long as the pills don't run out!!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2020 11:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2020 23:51:10 -0400

Caffeine and hate? I've been practicing this "social distancing" thingy for decades...glad ya'll finally got on board...

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made May 27 at 2020 10:37 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Wed, 27 May 2020 22:37:00 -0400

As the President of our County wide softball league, I have busy preparing the way for our league to begin. We have created a schedule (actually 4), prepared social distancing rules and will begin play tomorrow night.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2020 7:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 07:02:25 -0400

Listening to the radio helps me.