Taking Our Mental Health Temperature
As we are adjusting to the daily influx of information regarding our current global health crisis, we find ourselves being acutely aware of our physical health and taking precautions to stay healthy. Our efforts to social distance ourselves and in some cases, quarantine can take a toll on our mental health and well-being. As this “new normal” rolls on, it is critical that we become as vigilant about taking care or our mental health as we are with taking care of our physical health.
While some are able to make this adjustment and see the opportunity it provides; i.e. a slower pace to life, quality time with family, an ease to stresses of our hectic schedules; others are struggling with this adjustment and may find more stress in the lack of predictability. It is important to note that there is no “right” way to do this—as we keep hearing, these are unprecedented times, and no one has a road map or instruction manual about how to best make it through. Knowing yourself and being in tune to how YOU are feeling and what YOU need is paramount in finding your best way forward.
In the past week, I have seen some elaborate schedules posted on social media about how to organize your day including scheduled time to exercise, meditate, craft, pray, etc. While this is not bad advice, giving yourself permission to be organized or lazy, scheduled or unproductive, is also healthy. We need to remember to take care of ourselves and this begins with listening to our own needs. Understanding that no two days will feel the same. That schedule you created may feel like an unnecessary burden at times and may actually hold you down rather than lift you up. I am not an opponent of schedules but rather of understanding that managing your mental well-being is customizable. I implore you to be flexible and willing to forgive yourself if today you just need to stay in pjs all day—knowing tomorrow you may check items off your to-do list.
Some closing thoughts and tips: social media can be a great tool—if; however, it begins to feel like an obligation or creates anxiety, it’s okay to take a break from it. Exercise and meditation are wonderful—any form of movement can be beneficial; getting outdoors is a definite boost to our mental health. Take a mindset reset—figure out what gives you a sense of calm or a happy distraction and do that; now and often. Embrace the “unscheduled”—be the creator of your time and take enjoyment in knowing that your day is yours (to do, or not do, what you want with it).
Lastly, take time to check in on YOU—asking yourself “How am I feeling? What do I need?” may be the most important “temperature” reading to staying healthy.
Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant with Change 4 Growth
About the Author:
Lisa Pringle, LPCC
Executive Coach | Leadership Consultant | Licensed Counselor
As an independently Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Lisa has spent 15 years of her career helping others through her practice as a therapist working with children, families, adults, and couples in an outpatient setting. She is well-versed in a variety of treatment and therapeutic modals to provide the best individualized care and solution through an eclectic approach focused on client need. Additionally, Lisa holds a certification specializing in the treatment of trauma symptoms.
Lisa has broadened her expertise over the past six years as an Executive and Business Coach with Sequent Consulting and currently with the consulting firm of Change 4 Growth where she also contributes as a Principal Consultant for Leadership Development. Lisa’s customized approach to coaching benefits from her rich and in-depth counseling background and education. She has had success guiding clients to solutions while breaking down the barriers to their success. Lisa is a proponent of the importance of identifying pain points within an organization and working with leaders and their teams toward employee engagement and satisfaction. Lisa shares her experience in advising and guiding leaders through Change 4 Growth’s flagship leader development program: Academy for Modern Professionals. Her solution-focused approach is effective in assisting leaders and associates in finding their value and potential resulting in a positive, productive work culture.
Lisa has a Master’s Degree of Education in Clinical Counseling as well as post-graduate work in solution-focused brief therapy. She is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and has training in Mindfulness Meditation.
Lisa Pringle, LPCC
About the author