May is Mental Health Awareness Month so we want to make sure all of you are taking care of yourself this month! And that’s not all, we also want to make sure every single one of you is viewing your natural body in a positive way! Nearly one in five Americans live with some type of mental health condition and nearly all of us have dealt with low self-esteem when it comes to our bodies. The important things to remember are that you are not alone and that there are resources to help you cope with body negativity and mental health challenges. Today we’re coming at you with five ways you can look after your mental health and body positivity! So dive right in!💦

It may sound cliche to talk about how you’re feeling, but it’s still a fact that talking things through will help you take charge of your well-being. Talking is a great way to cope with a problem you’ve been holding onto in your head and your heart. Being listened to is awesome! You feel supported like you’re not alone, and in turn, helps you listen to others when they need a listening ear. It’s not always easy to describe how you’re feeling so if you can’t think of one word, use a lot of ‘em. What does it feel like inside your head? What do you feel when you see yourself in the mirror? It feels awkward at first but as you give it time, talking about your feelings will become second nature.

Our brains need a whole mix of nutrients in order to function well, so a well-balanced food plan is a great way to improve your physical and mental health! There are strong connections between what we eat and how we feel. Although they’re tasty (and definitely our favorite things), too much caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect on us. That’s why we still enjoy our favorite things alongside lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fish, dairy, and plenty of water. Food also has a huge impact on body positivity. The trick is to have a positive relationship with food and to make peace with the natural body that we have. So as you eat a balance of your favorite things and whole foods, our hope is that you’ll see food as a way to sustain yourself and as a beautiful creative aspect of your life.

One of the best ways to take care of your mental health and body positivity is to keep in touch with strong family ties and supportive friends. They truly can help you deal with the stresses that come with life! Not only can they help you feel included and valued, but they offer different perspectives from whatever is going on inside your head. Don’t wait to catch up with someone face-to-face if possible! Give them a call, send them a text, and keep the lines of communication open – it’s good for you! The right family and friends can help keep you active, help you problem-solve, and remind you how wonderful you are! Just chilling with people can be relaxing so go have a laugh and feel good.

All of us get tired or overwhelmed at times so don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your family and friends may be able to give you practical help but you don’t have to stop there! You can join local support groups to make lasting changes to your life, you can find a counselor to help you deal with your feelings, or reach out to any local service that will meet your specific needs! You are not alone in your feelings and thoughts on your body – there are resources out there to help you move forward with your life and become the very best version of yourself. The best way to cope with challenges in mental health and body positivity is to ask for help.

A change of pace is always good for your mental health. Whether that looks like a five-minute pause from cleaning your space, a half-hour lunch break at work, or a weekend exploring someplace new, even a few minutes can be enough to remind yourself who you truly are and what you’re capable of. Never feel guilty about taking some “me time.” Taking a break may look like getting very active or it may look like not doing anything at all. Take deep breaths, relax through yoga or meditation, and listen to your body. More often than not, the world can wait while you take a rest.

We’re all different and will need various things when we’re looking after our mental health + body positivity. But changes are these five approaches will help you get through those dark days and help you be proud of who you are. Recognize and accept what you are not good at but focus on the things you can do well. Good self-esteem helps us cope when life takes challenging turns. Whether you’re talking about your feelings or taking some much-needed “me time” we hope you’re taking small steps towards body positivity and better mental health.

xoxo

Kortni + Team