First day of Mental Health Awareness Month! Be sure to visit Health Advocate's EAP site to familiarize yourself with the many resources available to Lehigh staff and faculty. Enter Lehigh University as your employer to access the site.
Journal prompt:
What are you most looking forward to right now?
If you feel you may be suffering from a mental illness, and aren't sure where to start, try out Mental Health America's free online screening tools. These tools aren't intended to diagnose a condition, but can help you take the first step in speaking with a healthcare professional about your concerns.
Journal prompt:
What values do you consider to be most important in life? How do your actions align with those values?
Let's learn about grounding techniques. Take a moment and note something you can see, something you can touch, something you can taste, something you can hear and something you can smell.
Journal prompt:
What is an accomplishment you're proud of?
In addition to the variety of resources provided to the University's employees, don't forget about the Be Well program! It's loaded with wellness activities, resources, and the opportunity to connect 1:1 with a coach.
Journal prompt:
How does work fulfill you?
Take the pledge to be stigma free with NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Journal prompt:
Describe a significant life event that helped shape you into who you are today.
Get moving! On your lunch break today, take at least 10 minutes to get up and move around -- walk, stretch, whatever feels good.
Journal prompt:
What has made you smile in the last 24 hours?
Sunday Rest Day. Reach out to a friend or loved one to check in with them and connect.
Journal prompt:
Who is your biggest inspiration, and why?
Jumpstart the week! Try a new exercise today. Walking, running, lifting, yoga, barre, bodyweight fitness -- it doesn't need to be elaborate, just something to shake up your routine and get yourself moving.
Journal prompt:
What is something special, unique or extraordinary about yourself?
Self care is not selfish. Do one thing today that you love doing: maybe that's going for a walk, taking a bath, stopping at your favorite spot for lunch -- something for YOU!
Journal prompt:
What are three things you love about where you live?
Take a few moments to declutter your workspace. Note how you feel once you've completed this task.
Journal prompt:
What is something beautiful you saw today?
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water is so important. Studies indicate being dehydrated can impact dopamine and seratonin levels, which can impact our emotions. Do you know what your daily recommended intake should be? Check this page out to learn more, and go get a glass of water! Tip: if you're not crazy about plain water, try adding cut up fruit or cucumbers to it.
Journal prompt:
What is your favorite form of self-care? When was the last time you did something for yourself?
Wherever you are in this moment, stop and observe your surroundings. Feel your feet on the floor. What do you see and hear? Check in with yourself.
Journal prompt:
Describe a time when you truly felt at peace.
Think ahead! Create your own mental health crisis plan using this worksheet from Mental Health America.
Journal prompt:
What is something that made you laugh out loud this week?
Sunday Rest Day. Breathe in, breathe out. Let's check out the benefits of deep breathing and how to incorporate it into your everyday life. This article from Health Advocate can help!
Journal prompt:
How did you learn from your last mistake?
Take a digital detox. Put your phone down, step outside and enjoy some fresh air off the grid.
Journal prompt:
What do you love most about nature and the outdoors?
Studies are showing a link between the food we fuel our bodies with and mental health. Today, try to prioritize nutrition -- reach for nutrient-rich foods such as produce, fish and legumes. Ditch the soda and have some sparkling water. Here are more tips you can try.
List five things that make you happy.
Did you know that the University's EAP through Health Advocate offers self-guided digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (dCBT)? It's free to employees and dependents. Learn more here.
Journal prompt:
How do you show yourself kindness and compassion?
Attend today's featured webinar, Mental Health & Me, presented by Health Advocate. Explore strategies to manage mental/emotional health and learn about resources, early warning signs to seek help and techniques to maintain positive mental health and wellness.
Register for one of the timeslots here:
Journal prompt:
What was a negative experience that led to a positive outcome?
You can't control things that happen to you, but you can control how you react to those things. Today, make it a point to choose positivity and try to look on the bright side despite what life may throw your way.
Journal prompt:
Think of a recent obstacle you've encountered. How did you overcome it?
Get out and have some fun! There are tons of events happening all year around the Lehigh Valley.
Journal prompt:
What three things would you share with your teenage self?
Sunday Rest Day. Try out a new yoga practice - there are tons of free options available on YouTube!
Journal prompt:
What is something positive in your life that you did not have a year ago?
Make sleep a priority today. Research has shown a strong connection between sleep deprivation and mental illness. Try your best to get your 8 hours today and learn more about good sleep hygiene.
Journal prompt:
Name three everyday objects that you're grateful for, and why.
Respect boundaries -- that includes YOUR boundaries too. Remember that "no" is a complete sentence. Today, set a boundary for yourself and stick to it. That might be signing off at exactly 5pm, saying "no" to over commitment, or limiting yourself to only one coffee (that one's tough!).
Journal prompt:
What boundaries could you set in your relationships to safeguard your wellbeing?
Resilience can be defined as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress. Learn ways to build your resilience.
Journal prompt:
What are some actionable steps you can take to overcome a roadblock in your life?
Let's garden! Gardening is great way to get outside and help lower stress levels. Whether it's simply weeding your flowerbed, putting new mulch down, harvesting vegetables, or even repotting a few of your houseplants -- it all adds up and is a great way to decompress.
Journal prompt:
Write about a new hobby you'd love to try. What is holding you back from starting?
Doodle! Grab a pen and paper, and just start drawing or writing the first thing that comes to mind. Free-form writing or drawing can help you focus in the long run. Plus, it's fun!
Journal prompt:
What skill(s) do you have that you're grateful for?
It's well known that meditation can have profound impact on mental wellness. Today, take a few minutes to practice mindful meditation. If you aren't sure where to start, try a Youtube video or download an app that offers a free trial, like Insight Timer or Calm.
Journal prompt:
What are three things that calm you down when you're feeling anxious or upset? How can you be more mindful in using those things?
Sunday Rest Day. Practice some deep breathing techniques to center yourself.
Journal prompt:
What are you most looking forward to this week?
Help yourself by helping others! Search for a volunteer opportunity in the community.
Journal prompt:
What is your favorite thing about helping others?
Social media detox day. Recent research findings are showing a correlation between social media usage and mental illness. For the next 24 hours, resist the urge to check your social media platforms.
Journal prompt:
Looking back on the last month, what was your favorite activity, and why?
Dance party! Congratulations on participating in Mental Health Awareness Month. Take a few minutes today to put on some of your favorite music and dance it out in celebration.
Journal prompt:
Is there anything you've learned about yourself these past 31 days?