May is #mentalhealthawareness month, and the perfect time to not only check in with your friends but, yourself!
With the constant go go go of daily life, it’s easy to sweep the emotions of stress, anxiety, sadness, and grief under the rug. Our capacity to compartamentalize (aka ignore) is amazing! Even more so during these strange times. There are emails to answer, zoom calls to join and shows to binge. After this crazy year we all could work on prioritizing our mental health! We here at Page Chaser always recommend slowing down, checking in and being deliberate with what we are consuming.
SO How are you doing?! What are you doing to fill your cup? Want to try something with me?
Let’s take a deep breathe together...ahhhh!
Now, set down the cup of coffee, shocking coming from us but, really do it! Grab some water, hydrate, and hear me out.
One of the easiest things you can do to better your mental wellness is read! And if you’re like us, you probably already are an avid reader! Gold star for you!
But, it’s not JUST about reading.
It’s about setting aside time. Time away from the screens, apps, viral dances you can’t seem to get the hang of, your roommates, sometimes that call from you mama, and all the other chaos in the world.
I hate to break it to you… but, that fiction thriller that is mind bending and keeping you up till 3am turning pages. You know the one! It might be an amazing read but, might not be the best for your mental health. Maybe tonight we reach for that personal development book? We fill up a little cup of chamomile tea and get ready to learn ways to better our mood, our thoughts, and ourselves!
As the self-help guru around here, my TBR stack tends to be 8 books high of personal development so I’m ready to flex!
Here are a few books that have helped me on my mental wellness journey!
Filled with beautiful words on grace and rebirth, our girl Morgan Harper Nichols reminds us to find the light in the darkness. I love opening this book in the morning and reading one page a day, like a little journal to start my day of on a positive note.
No FOMO here, Joy Of Missing Out is all about doing less so you can keep concentrating on what you actually want to be doing. As a recovering people pleaser, I found that Author Tanya Dalton's tips on how to clarify priorities and discover purpose in the day to day has helped me feel less burnout. New mantra, if it’s not a HECK YES, it’s a no! Sorry not sorry!
Walk Through This was such a unique read after being safely trapped in our houses for a year. When I think taking care of my mental health I can easily get stuck in the routine of nourishing meals, early bedtimes, an extra call to my therapist, meditating. I forgot some of the simplest ways to feel better are just an open door away. Sara Schulting Kranz, ( a life coach and certified wilderness guide) reminded me to GET OUTSIDE! Connecting and grounding yourself with nature just does something so healing for the spirit. Using her techniques to reconnect with nature during mediation and journaling has helped my anxiety tremendously! Fresh air, y’all!
I think being able to be vulnerable and share our stories, especially about depression, anxiety, trauma, etc. Can be, not only healing for us as individuals, but to those who hear it. It’s easy to feel alone in struggle but, hearing others just share makes you feel less alone. That’s what The Rescuer by Jason Sautel did for me. Hearing Sautel’s journey from broken to loved and healed was inspiring. Not to mention being reminded that you NEVER know what someone is going through!
Page Chaser is affiliated with the following imprints: Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, Harper Horizon