It has been a year like no other. It does not seem possible that it has been a year March that we heard from the school districts that we would be taking two weeks for Spring Break and then everyone would be back at school, but it did not happen quite that way. It seemed every month we were told something different. We had all-in-shelter and masks and social distancing and for many of us working from home. Then in the state of Texas, we had “SNOVID” where there was no electricity and/or water in sub degree temperature. Netflix seemed to flourish but many of us did not.
May is Mental Health Awareness month and as we hopefully turn a corner on COVID-19 maybe it is time to really look at the personal toll from these past months. Many of us were isolated without touching or being with loved ones for an entire year. Some of us have been feeling really anxious about socializing or being in public. For some of us the family dynamic shifted in a negative way. One of the ways to honor mental health awareness is to look at ourselves and see where we are.
5 reasons it might be a good idea to go talk to someone.
- If you are going through life changes such as an isolating move, divorce or death of family member. You may need someone who isn’t family to talk through these difficulties and share your grief.
- If you can not sleep and you cannot quiet your mind. Your thoughts are racing and there is a sense of unease and anxiety about most things. You have tried several different things, and nothing seems to work.
- If you have had a hard time getting out of bed and feel just exhausted with little or no motivation to do anything.
- If you find you and your significant other did not grow closer during this time but old issues became even more apparent and the gulf between the two of you has grown larger.
- If you feel you are at the end of your capacity to handle things, even the small things seem big.
If you are feeling any of these things then maybe it is time to seek counseling. You do not need to be in mental distress or emotional pain. Just as slowly many of us are going back to our doctors for check-ups and are addressing health issues we haven’t in a while maybe it is time to address emotional needs too. Maybe this is the month to be aware of your own mental health.