Let’s Talk About Mental Health: Exploring Healthy Outlets

Mental health issues can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.

In honor Mental Health Awareness Month (May), GovCIO has initiated a new, ongoing, employee interview series to help foster a more open dialogue about mental health in the workplace. As a part of this series, members of the GovCIO team are reflecting on some of the most prevalent mental health topics today, along with tips for managing stress and anxiety.

In life, we have many different experiences. Some of them makes us very happy and elevate our dopamine levels tremendously. However, there is also that part of life where we have experiences that can sadden us, burden us, and can even cause us to be depressed.

Often people vocalize the feeling of these heavy emotions but the massive communication on how to reinvent your internal being for the better is rare. Perception is what separates a lot of us, therefore it is imperative for each individual in this world to identify what makes them happy.

In contemporary society we often sweep our issues under the rug, by participating in different events that just suppresses our feelings temporarily. After that “fun” period is over, the same feeling that burdens you resurfaces which is why it is important to be or become knowledgeable of what can help alleviate what seems to be opposing you on the inside.

Some examples of healthy outlets include:

• Therapy
• Listening to music
• Exercising
• Writing
• Cooking
• Spending time with family

When I am feeling down, I know one or more of these outlets can uplift me. Progress does not just take place overnight; it happens overtime which means you must be consistent and patient with yourself.

Giving yourself grace and praise goes certainly a long way. Often, we depend on others to make us happy, when they can only add onto your happiness – not create it because you have done the work yourself.

There are no promises in life, but you can make promises to yourself to be the best version of yourself, which means showing up day in and day out. What does this look like? Showing up for yourself is making the decision to fulfill the promises you made to yourself because that will make you feel good.

When you self-reflect you will look back on your journey and be proud, which can build your mental health. Experiences are one of the best “teachers of life” because they simultaneously educate and bring wisdom, which molds our mind and heart.

Once you are aware of what brings you joy, ensure that your actions are aligned with your heart and mind so that you are truly at peace.