Hello! Today is World Mental Health Day. It is so important to take care of our own mental health and not take it for granted. As a psychologist, I have the tools, training, and compassion to be able to help others. I have so much respect for my clients who are all so brave and "show up" in their lives and admit the "messy" parts of their lives and show courage in what they want to change. For some reason, it is way harder to follow what I teach to my clients. Ugh. I admit it.
Today was a great reminder of how I need to not put so much pressure on myself, validate my own feelings, and be willing to be flexible when my regular coping isn't available. I have chronic back pain that stems from an injury I endured two years ago when snow skiing. It rears its ugly head at me when I am not looking. For the last two weeks, I have had to press pause on my running, my only exercise for stress relief. Boy oh boy. I have not been very fun to be around. I am so sorry my loves. (You know who you are.)
One way to honor World Mental Health Day is to look within and ask yourself how you are doing and what you need. Sometimes what you need is just a small shift to get yourself back on track. (no pun intended). I am going to pursue no or low impact exercise like swimming and walking for the time being and not see that as defeat. Today, my own physician who has a heart of gold, said that I should be so happy that my body can withstand the pain for as long as I have without needing steroidal injections or surgery. How is that for a shift in mindset and appreciating one's body!
What will you do today to honor World Mental Health Day? Also, please check out my blog post on tips of how to get help:
With kindness,
Kerry
P.S. I love hearing from you. If there is a topic that you would like to me cover, please let me know.
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