May is Mental Health Awareness month. While I have written a few posts already addressing the importance of maintaining a healthy mental health level, I feel one more will not overpopulate the subject matter. It is important to actually be aware of this issue. I am not an expert of any kind and my opinions should be viewed as that – simply opinions. With that in mind, here we go.

1. Keeping issues inside and trying to work them through silently usually doesn’t work. I can’t explain the science behind it or if there is any but “suffering in silence” only leads to more suffering. There is a release when we can talk about it. A perspective is gained by expressing the problem verbally. The caveat to this is to share with a person you trust.

2. And the flip side to that is if you are the person someone trusts enough to open up to and share with, protect that trust. Do not share another person’s story. We are all the author of one story and one story only – our own. Best practice is for us to learn to only share our own story. If it’s not yours, don’t say it.

3. Your 100% is going to look different each day. Give your all but know sometimes your all will be the size of the Grand Tetons and other days your all will be roughly the size of an ant hill. Both will require strength and energy to climb so do not give up.

4. Despite all the comparisons so readily available with social media these days, remember the only competition that counts is with yesterday you. No other comparison is fair or valid. Just try to be a better human than you were yesterday and you will pass this judgment every time.

5. We all have thrive and survival modes. Survival modes look different at different times. Sometimes they are closing the curtains, binge watching shows all day, and never leaving the couch. Other times they are living for pleasure. A person constantly needing to experience short term pleasure needs just as much care and consideration as the person isolating.

6. Being kind doesn’t mean you have to remap your boundaries. Kindness should not deplete your reserves. Take care of yourself or there won’t be anything left to help others.

7. Getting your blood pumping can help you clear your head. A brisk walk or jog might help clear corrosive thoughts. In the words of Reba, “Walk on” (Reba McEntire, 1989).

8. Always have something to look forward to or to do. Whether that be a goal, an activity, or person to see again. This is also known as hope. I call it “keeping the carrot in front of you.” Some goal or objective that you are always moving toward.

9. Allow a bad day to happen. Bad days are inevitable but they are not the end of the story. Get ownership of the bad day by discussing it. Don’t let it own you.

10. Share your list of exercising good mental health with someone. Your list will look a bit different than mine and it may be something someone out there needs to learn about. So, share.

Let’s stay healthy and aware out there.