Defining Mental Wellness with the Bronson HelpNet Team

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. At Bronson HelpNet, we want to use this time to remind you that you are not alone. It’s easy to get lost in our daily lives and somehow forget the very basics of mental wellness.

When you board a plane, the flight attendant comes on the PA system to talk about safety procedures and what to do if an emergency should occur. One line they say is “In the event of an emergency, put your own mask on first, then help others”. This is such a simple statement that most have heard many times, but it got us thinking: Are we aware of our own needs? Do we understand what it means to be mentally well? Do we place our mental health above all else, knowing that we truly cannot pour from an empty cup? It is common to notice when others are struggling, but find it difficult to admit when we are struggling ourselves. This may be due to the fear of judgement, the fear of losing control or the feeling that we are most comfortable carrying the load on our own. To be human is to ebb and flow through life … to experience highs and lows, joy and heartache. Challenges arise in our daily lives, and no one is above that experience.

So, what exactly is mental wellness? Contrary to misconceptions, it does not imply a worry-free life, nor does it mean you never deal with adversity. It also does not imply that you are free of mental illness or that you are always happy. Mental wellness is simply living and learning to cope with everything life throws at you. In a nutshell, mental wellness is a journey, not a destination. Meaning, we aren’t arriving at it; we are consistently aware of what it means and how to achieve it daily. So, if you are wondering how to achieve mental wellness, here are a few tips to implement on this beautiful journey:

1. Recognize and identify your emotions: This is done when we reflect on what it is we are feeling in our body and understand that feelings or emotions are neither good nor bad – they are just feelings. So regardless of if you are angry, lonely, frustrated or full of joy, those are all okay feelings to have, and you must allow yourself to feel them. When we seek to understand the various emotions we have, we internalize less and can move through them in a healthy way.
2. Recognize the power of words: The words we say have power. They can impact how we think, feel and behave. See the examples below to understand why it is so important to choose your words wisely!
   • “Sorry I’m late.” vs. “Thanks for waiting on me.”
   • “I can’t complain.” vs. “Things are going well.”
   • “I have to” vs. “I get to.”
   • “They are stubborn and difficult.” vs. “They are determined.”
   • “I hate feeling this way.” vs. “I am not my feelings, I am just the one who feels them.”
3. Identify your strengths: Think about it for a moment: What are your strengths? Are you orderly, observant, open-minded, motivated or peaceful? Making a point to analyze what you are good at is key to mental wellness. When we know our own strengths, we are better able to see the strengths in others and encourage them.
4. Set personal boundaries: You know yourself better than anyone else. To achieve mental wellness, you must have boundaries with family, friends and those you work with. How do we do this?
   • First, define your boundary.
   • Second, communicate what you need.
   • Third, know that you do not need to overexplain. It’s okay to keep it simple. These are your boundaries and no one else’s.
   • Lastly, define why your specific boundaries are important to you. Set consequences for when those boundaries are not upheld.

Like all flight attendants remind us, it’s essential to put on your mask first… to care for your body and mind. And if, like most of us, you struggle to put yourself first, the month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month for a reason. Be well!

Talk to a Counselor

Whether you are looking for someone to talk to about life, relationships, anxiety, addiction or anything in between, Bronson HelpNet is here for you. At Bronson HelpNet Behavioral Health Specialists, with locations in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Paw Paw, counselors are available for both in-person and virtual counseling. If your employer is a member of Bronson HelpNet Employee Assistance Program (EAP), some counseling services are available to you free of charge, plus we offer several additional services to help you achieve a better work-life balance.

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Dial (269) 245-3850

helpnet@bronsonhg.org