Okay peeps, I’m going to come out and say it…
Mental illness is all around us. It’s hidden behind the faces of our family, our friends, our co-workers, strangers on the street, and our children. The reason I say hidden is that it is still taboo to talk about or *gasp* admit that you suffer from. It’s 2019 for crying out loud!! How this is is still a thing?! If someone has MS or cancer, we rally behind them, we fundraise and start GoFundMe pages, we hold candlelit vigils. We would never think to make them feel ashamed of their disease. I know it feels like an ugly word, but having a disease is entirely out of your control. And mental illnesses are no exception.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and as it quickly comes to an end, we wanted to reflect back on some really important tips. Here at Pepper, we are strong advocates for mental health awareness and self-care. We don’t want people to ever feel like they have to go through it alone so on top of providing our #MentalHealthMonday tips, we want all of you to know that Pepper is a safe place to land if you just need someone to hear you any day of the week.
Here are some great tips to help keep your mental health in check!
Take a warm bath.
I know it sounds simple, but schedule this at least once a week to set aside that time to unwind. For good measure, throw in some Epsom salt and lavender to ease muscles and smell delish! And if you’re feeling wild, light some candles for ambiance.
Keep a journal.
Again, sounds simple, right? But writing down your thoughts, your feelings, your fears – it is all very cathartic. If it evokes emotions from you, let them come and then let them go. This is part of the journey and the healing. And keeping a journal is amazing to look back on. To remember that you’ve had hard days and made it through, but also to smile at all of those good times you’ll document.
Spend time outside.
Go for a short walk each day and notice your surroundings. Smile at a person on the sidewalk, pet a dog, and literally stop and smell the flowers. Fresh air, get it in ya!
Listen to music.
Make a cup of tea, pop in those headphones (or bust out your guitar or dust off the ol’ ivories), and let the music take you wherever you need to go. Maybe you don’t know where that is right now, but I bet you it will happen so naturally and will be incredibly therapeutic.
Exercise and eat healthy.
I’m not saying don’t ever watch a little Netflix and indulge in some buttery popcorn, but the endorphins you get from exercise are proven to boost your mood and sharpen your focus. Eating super healthy (we can all collectively moan out loud at the thought of it), makes a world of difference, I promise! And going into the warmer season means Farmer’s Markets which is a fantastic place to pick up some healthy eats that are local.
Read a book.
We all buy them and get so excited to read them and then never do. This is your chance. You can even think of it as a mini vacation from reality! It doesn’t have to be a self-help book (although there are some killer ones out there), but even that juicy biography of your favorite musician will take you away for a little bit.
Get enough sleep.
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We are huge fans of the Headspace app for meditation and the bedtime ones are sure to steal you away to slumberland. A consistent sleep routine will make you feel like you’re ready to face each day with more energy so try to ensure you are getting 7-8 hours each night.
Your well-being matters to us so we sincerely hope something here resonated with you. Again, you are not alone. Pepper sees you and we hear you, even when you try to be silent.
Sending all our love,
Kelsey Munson
Badass Assistant to the CEO
Pepper – Your Badass Business BFF Inc.
