Enhancing Your Toughness: Six Strategies for Mental Strength Focus During Mental Health Awareness Month
Attention, Resilience Heroes!
Dive into the Art of Tough Times with Lisa Sanger Blinn 🌱
We've all been through the wringer lately, haven't we? From weather disasters to pandemics, our beloved Harris County has experienced more than its fair share of hardship. But, it's time to take things into our hands and start building resilience. Lisa Sanger Blinn, LMSW, the Project Outcomes Lead for Healthy Minds, Healthy Communities, has cut through the chaos to bring you some practical tips to help you grow your resiliency.
Resilience - the superpower to bounce back from life's difficulties - is all about practice and honing skills that help us adapt and persevere, both physically and psychologically. And remember, resilience has nothing to do with going it alone or pretending to be unaffected by the struggle. Embracing your feelings and seeking help when needed are key steps to resilience.
Are you ready to become a resilience rockstar? Here are six tips to help you start building that steel spine:
Shake off that dive-in-the-Swiss-Alps exhaustion. To help others, you need to help yourself first. So focus on getting enough zzzs, filling up your plate with tasty veggies, stretching your limbs every day, and making time for your fave hobbies. Physical and emotional stress are a tangled web, and focusing on your body and mind helps reduce the weight of anxiety and depression.
Quiet that inner voice. It's natural to have negative thoughts when we're afraid or feeling vulnerable. But remember, our minds can't always tell the difference between reality and fantasy. So pay attention to the self-talk in your noggin, and when you catch those nasty remarks, smack 'em down with some positive ones, like: "I've got this," "I can figure this out," or "I'm good at this."
Strengthen your neighborhood network. Knowing the people in your hood can provide you with a supportive group of people to lean on, whether good times or bad. Get active in your community through volunteering or your faith group. And, remember, staying in touch with your peeps is a protective factor when life throws curveballs. Your connections remind you that you're not alone.
Am I the Queen of Instagram, or what? With social media's reign, it's easy to compare your life to everyone else's highlight reels. But, forget the comparison, and focus on your goals. Celebrate the cool things you're learning and doing, and build towards the life you want.
It's OK to be you. You've survived tough times before and have some unique badass skills to show for it. So, identify the positive behavior patterns you used to overcome adversity. When a challenge arises, lean on those problem-solving strategies you've honed over time.
Reach out when things get tough. When you're in a bind, it's natural to need support from friends, family, or your community. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and knowing when to reach out shows you're not trying to tackle everything on your own.
If you’re feeling a bit lost or need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to reach out. The COVID-19 Support Line is there to help: 1-833-986-1919 (phone) or text 832-479-2135.
Lisa Sanger Blinn, LMSW, is the Project Outcomes Lead for Healthy Minds, Healthy Communities. The project, backed by The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD and funded by Harris County using American Rescue Program Act (ARPA) Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, provides tools and training to help you better support your community, boost resilience, and build emotional wellness. For more information, drop a line to [email protected]
When life hands you lemons, make some sweet-ass lemonade.
Enrichment Data:
Overall:I couldn't find specific information on practical tips for developing resilience and emotional wellness during challenging times as suggested by Lisa Sanger Blinn, LMSW, for the Healthy Minds, Healthy Communities project. However, I can provide general tips that align with common strategies for building resilience and emotional wellness:
Practical Tips for Building Resilience and Emotional Wellness
- Practice Self-Care
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Engage in mindfulness practices or meditation to reduce stress and increase awareness of your thoughts and emotions.
- Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can improve mood and reduce anxiety.
- Healthy Eating: Maintain a balanced diet that supports your mental health.
- Sleep Hygiene: Ensure adequate sleep to help manage stress and emotions.
- Build a Support Network
- Connect with Others: Nurture relationships with supportive family and friends.
- Join a Community: Engage in local activities or join groups that align with your interests to build connections.
- Develop Emotional Awareness
- Identify Emotions: Recognize and acknowledge your emotions to better manage them.
- Label and Accept: Label your feelings and accept them without judgment.
- Cultivate a Positive Mindset
- Gratitude Practice: Focus on things you are grateful for each day.
- Reframe Challenges: View challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats.
- Engage in Activities You Enjoy
- Hobbies and Leisure: Allocate time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
- Seek Professional Help When Needed
- Therapy or Counseling: Don't hesitate to seek professional help if you're struggling with your emotions or coping strategies.
These tips are general and may align with the principles of resilience and emotional wellness programs. For specific advice from Lisa Sanger Blinn, direct access to her work or resources would be necessary.
- As a volunteer for community health and wellness, consider joining Healthy Minds, Healthy Communities, a project led by Lisa Sanger Blinn, LMSW, which focuses on educating and strengthening mental health and emotional wellness through practical tips and tools.
- In the pursuit of personal growth and mental health, practice mindfulness, meditation, and engaging in activities you enjoy, like hobbies and leisure, as they contribute to emotional well-being and resilience.
- To create a more resilient and supportive community, work on cultivating relationships with neighbors by participating in community activities or volunteering, as these connections can help foster emotional wellness and serve as protective factors in challenging times.
