Mental Health Month: Quick Tips for Owning Your Feelings

May is Mental Health Month and as we can take this time to make ourselves and others are aware of mental health and how it affects many of us; we also must take time to self-reflect. Sis, have you checked in with how you own your feelings? Read the Quick Tips below to get you started and don't forget to share with your sistas!

Tip 1: Allow yourself to FEEL.

There are many social pressures that encourage us to suppress how we feel. You know how when people ask how you're doing and you automatically without thought respond "I'm good, how are you?" We do this without hesitation and do not take time to really check in with how we are actually doing. Oh, and let's not forget "Big Girls Don't Cry" but it is okay and necessary to cry it out and be present in what you are feeling.

Tip 2: Don't ignore how you feel.

Ignoring and dismissing your feelings will do nothing for you, sis. Understand that there are correct time an places for your feelings to reveal themselves, do not leave them suppressed all together. We want to avoid the buildup because that can lead into darker paths or force us to explode and lose control.

Tip 3: Talk it out with someone.

After you spend time with your thoughts and feelings make sure, you talk it out with someone you trust and this will help you realize that in many ways you are not alone. Many others face may face the same feelings or experiences and you will never know unless you open the door for real conversation.

Tip 4: Work on building your emotional vocabulary.

When asked about how you feel we commonly look to using simple words such as good, sad, fine, bad, okay, mad, etc. Look up different feelings words and use them in your journals, mantras, meditation, prayers; this will allow you to specifically identify what you feel and how to express that to others.

Tip 5: Know that it is okay to seek professional help.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxiety, uncomfortable that is normal. If you feel that discussing it with those around you does not benefit you, then seek out talking with a professional therapist. There are many stereotypes about those who see therapists regularly and it keeps us from taking that step. Block that out & know that others do not define your journey YOU DEFINE YOU. If talking it out with someone licensed to help you is what you need, by all means get at it boo!

Thanks for being here and we hope you found this useful in your journey to a better you. For more information on Mental Health, visit https://mhanational.org/ or https://www.headspace.com/