Introduction: Why and What?

Because of the pandemic and last month being National Suicide Awareness Month, I want to raise awareness for something people fail to recognize as a serious problem: mental health and disease. Every year, hundreds of people all around the world take their lives as a result of poor mental health. The number is 10 times greater than that for people who suffer from mental sickness daily. Still, today, with those statistics, there are several negative stigmas surrounding mental health. The first and foremost being that taking care of your physical and mental health too much can be selfish or self-conceited. Here's one of the biggest examples in my life: at my high school, if you don't have a breakdown from working too hard, you aren't doing enough. This stigma completely twists people's conception of mental health and how to take care of yourself. 

One thing we can do to contribute to this cause and prevent poor mental health is to actually help ourselves! Therefore, I will be trying (and I encourage you to follow along) self-affirmations and practicing mindfulness. There are several studies out there that show that having a better sense of self and taking breaks to just breathe can lead to better mental health. 

So here's the plan: first, pick out 3 affirmations for yourself. These should primarily be things that you know you need to work on. This can range from physical appearance, eating disorders, etc. For example, I know that I have a lot of trouble with body dysmorphia and self-worth. Therefore, one of my self-affirmations will be "I am beautiful." 

After picking your 3 affirmations, pick 1 activity that you know will just let you breathe. Take a break from life, if you will. For me, this will be playing happy music and dancing in my bedroom. Other activities that I suggest are: sitting outside and watching the birds, laying in the sun, etc. 

For the two weeks, after my usual morning routine of brushing my teeth and washing my face, etc., I'll set a 30-minute timer. First, I'll repeat those 3 affirmations to myself 3 times. (e.g. I am enough. I matter. I am fearless. I am enough. I matter....). Then, if you want, smile to yourself in the mirror a little bit to confirm it. After that, for the rest of the 30 minutes, do that activity you picked earlier. Even if you have a ton of work that day, even if you have work in an hour. 

The core thing about this is that you need to commit to it every day. Your physical and mental health comes first and foremost, before all else. Therefore, even if you have a lot of work to do, it's important that no matter what, you take the time to do it! If you can't afford to do it in the morning, do it at night right before bed.  

The purpose of this activity is that if you say something enough to yourself, there will be a point where you eventually start to believe it. The more you say an affirmation and the more you think about the affirmation and how it could possibly be true, the more you start to believe in it. This can also be done by anyone and everyone: not just individuals with mental disorders. By saying 3 phrases to yourself every day and taking the time to breathe, anyone can learn to love themselves and love taking care of themselves. 💞