You probably take note to take care of your physical health during the year, but what about your mental health? Our mental health affects how we think and feel. That’s why you should put it on your priority list each year. Sara Van’T Hul, outpatient behavioral health manager with Avera, explains how to deal with life’s daily stressors and put your mental health first.
Why should you prioritize your mental health?
Mental health affects all aspects of our lives, whether it be our relationship with others, how we can feel, it is just as important as your physical health and so making sure that you are taking care of your mental health will not only make yourself feel a little bit more successful but also help you accomplish those daily goals that take a lot of energy and time.
Do people overlook their mental health often?
It’s very easy to see some physical symptoms. It’s not always easy to identify those mental health issues or things that are maybe causing us a little bit more stress. For example, lack of sleep, if you’re not sleeping well, whether you are not getting enough sleep or you are waking up and having increased anxiety throughout the night. That lack of sleep affects our mental health.
What about seasonal affective disorder?
We are coming off of the holiday season where we had the hustle and bustle of holidays that kept us busy. Now with the cold weather, when people aren’t getting out as much, we do see an increase in seasonal affective disorder. So it’s important to get out and get that fresh air, get that light as much as you possibly can because we do see an increase in mental health issues during the winter months.
What resources are available?
One of the first steps is to get back to the basics. Make sure you are eating well, exercising and getting sleep. There are a lot of resources out there. Avera has outpatient behavioral health services, and behavioral health urgent care, which can provide that immediate, 24-hour care. You can always dial 988 on your phone and you will get a trained individual who can walk you through those thoughts and those feelings.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
There’s a lot of stigma that comes with mental health and taking care of your mental health. Just because it’s not like a cut that you can see doesn’t mean that it’s not something you should take care of. Be fair to yourself and be open to any assistance you might need. I always say everyone can benefit from a therapist and being able to have that unbiased opinion to walk you through and talk you through what you have going on. Don’t be afraid. We are here to help.
