By: Ashmar Mandou

Mental health is a vital component of health. It is a state of well-being, the ability to handle everyday stressors, the ability to enjoy life. While we celebrate our mental health during the month of May, it is important to practice self-care each day. To help you on your mental health journey, here are just a few ways to get you started.

Once you have set goals for yourself, you need to figure out what things are necessary to accomplish those goals. Be clear about why you set this goal and how your life will be different once this goal is achieved. You should also consider the strengths and skills that you possess that will help you achieve your goal. Try to involve necessary support systems and resources that can help you through the process if and when you need it.

Create a journal or scrapbook with pictures and clippings to help maintain your goals. Keeping a journal or scrapbook is a good way to track your goals and remind you of the things you’ve accomplished and the things you still plan to accomplish. Continue to add new goals as they come up. Recovery is a constant process and continuing to set goals for yourself will keep you motivated to reach and maintain wellness.

Care for Yourself

Taking good care of yourself is paramount to the success of your recovery process. People in recovery find that their physical, spiritual, and emotional health are all connected, and that supporting one supports the others. Taking care of all aspects of you will increase the likelihood that you stay well. Some tips for self-care include:

• Live Healthy, eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and avoid drugs and alcohol. Manage stress and go for regular medical check-ups.

• Try to do something you enjoy every day. That might mean dancing, watching a favorite TV show, working in the garden, painting or reading.

• Find ways to relax, like meditation, yoga, getting a massage, taking a bath or walking in the woods.