10/10/2022
You can’t see mental health, just like you can’t identify a “healthy” person, solely by appearance. This pic was taken Christmas Eve of 2021, it was a difficult night, and I remember thinking “this too is life, this too is the journey”.
There is no look.
It happens in small and big moments.
Which build up over time.
Then, it takes over.
For me: mental health is my ability to navigate, manage, be present, and exist in a mostly positive fashion in all areas of my life.
Learning to recognize when things are out of balance, being often overwhelmed, no longer making myself a priority, are all times that I know I will I will begin to struggle.
The impact of this stress includes staying up late, working way too much, isolating, eating less, snacking more, and being very cranky at my husband.
Knowing this doesn’t mean I won’t struggle. But I get less into the funk, I catch it early, and I have insight; awareness gives me power.
Oh, and meds! Thank you Lexapro for the last 7 years of support 🤍
Similar to the way I talk about the concept of “healthy” having a different meaning to each of us, but is often used as blanket statement about our superiority over our health; what is needed for YOUR mental health?
When I work with clients, providers and students, we explore all the ways that mental health struggles show up.
In our food choices,
appetite cues,
nutrient status,
hydration,
caffeine,
movement,
sleep,
and more.
This is nutrition therapy, and it is a powerful tool for supporting long term mental health.
