Mental Health Mondays: 006 The (Coffee) Break
It has been more than 5 months since my last #mentalhealthmonday post. I had planned to write regularly. I even had a couple of new topics to talk about in addition to mental health. However, like all other best laid plans, this one got pushed to the side when other things from my life and work took over.
The 5 months started hectic…wrapping up my side gig (selling pet treats), a busy end of fiscal/calendar year at my main job. Then I went on my Christmas vacation that included a bout of mild Covid for me that still knocked my endurance down. 2022 came and just went full rollercoaster on me - personally, family, work and others.
However, all throughout the 5 months, I kept feeling really overwhelmed and pressed. Stress was coming from both personal and professional sides of my life. I took several small breaks here and there.
What do i do during times like these? Breaks!
My go to is a short coffee break in the middle of my day. I also did some vacation - trips to Florida and Mexico. However, even with all the coffee breaks and trips, I realized it wasn’t enough. Something else has to drop. So I decided that my writing would take a back seat. I had to take a break from one of the many things I did. One that is longer than a coffee break.
At the end, I think the hiatus was important and beneficial to me. I realized during this time, that I liked writing. Writing was actually a part of my self care and I decided to continue with it. Sometimes it takes a step back to see the bigger picture and assess the situation clearly. It takes a break to relieve the pressure and also reassess everything.
What does this mean? You’ll hear more from me!
This Monday, I wanted to share that everyone has a mental health story. This is mine and i am sharing a tip that I use to help me manage my physical and emotional state. So take a break. a coffee break, a hiatus, a sabbatical…take as long as you need. It’s going to be all right.
Let’s talk about our stories. Tell me yours.
#mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #therapy #destigmatizementalhealth #anxietyattack #mentalhealthmonday #story #storytelling #seekinghelp #resources #tellyourstory #breathe #breaks
Mental Health Mondays: 005 Grief part 1
The handsome dude in this photo, with my sister and me, is my father, Samuel. I was named (second name) after him!!! He was a good dad. He made us chorizo, egg and rice sometimes. He was an amazing dentist. He was also a hunter and would sometimes bring me with him to his trips. We even have matching camo uniforms for the trips! He was the best. However, he passed away back in ‘87 when he was 32.
His death and absence was something four year old Daniel did not have the capacity or tools to process. Now even after 34 years, I still have days when I miss him a lot and the pain feels raw, specially during his birthday, death anniversary, and Father’s Day.
In my sessions with my therapist, one of the things we talk a lot about is my grief. A lot of unprocessed grief that I did not know that I just pushed down all these years. I am learning to manage and live with it better now, but it has affected the way i think, lived my life and made decisions. Albeit indirectly, it was a contributing factor to my anxiety attack events. Grief is definitely something that I needed professional help to work through and I’m thankful that I am able to do so.
This Monday, I wanted to share that everyone has a mental health story. This is mine and how the grief from the loss of my Tatay (father) has affected me. Grief is tough, it’s different for every person and it’s important to process.
Let’s talk about our stories. Tell me yours.
#mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #therapy #destigmatizementalhealth #anxietyattack #mentalhealthmonday #story #storytelling #seekinghelp #resources #tellyourstory #grief
Mental Health Mondays: 004 Just Breathe
#mentalhealthmondays
I’d like you to do one thing as you are reading this post. Take a deep breath in, and exhale out.
How did that feel? I bet it felt good.
I clearly remember that afternoon I had my first anxiety attack. My heart was racing, I was frozen and my breathing was so shallow and quick. My friend who found me in that state told me to put my head between my knees and just breathe. Boy did that help!
Taking a deep breath, aside from the physical benefit of bringing more oxygen into my bloodstream, body and brain, is also a gentle reminder to slow down, take a moment and feel. It’s a good pause to reorient, reassess the situation and recenter.
Since then, I have used this tool/technique of taking a couple of deep breaths every time I sense that I am feeling stressed or anxious. I sometimes even do guided breathing exercises to help me throughout the week. It doesn’t have to be complicated but in the busyness of our weeks, we need time to slow down, take a breath and feel.
This Monday, I wanted to share that everyone has a mental health story. This is mine and i am sharing a tip that I use to help me manage my physical and emotional health. So take a deep breath, inhale…exhale. It’s going to be all right.
Let’s talk about our stories. Tell me yours.
#mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #therapy #destigmatizementalhealth #anxietyattack #mentalhealthmonday #story #storytelling #seekinghelp #resources #tellyourstory #breathe #tips #tools
Mental Health Mondays: 003 Why I still go to therapy
#mentalhealthmondays
I want to start by saying I am writing this series not to ask for pity or for anyone to feel bad for me. I want to share my story as someone who has been working on my own mental health journey and have benefited from the work. I hope to help normalize talking about mental health issues, inspire conversation and hope for others to share their stories as well. Which I am glad to see a lot of you sharing your stories as well. (Thank you and keep them coming)
Now for the weekly dose…
So you might ask, why do is still do the work/see my therapist? Should I have been “cured” by one session?
For me, this journey has not been easy but it’s necessary. I learned that experiencing anxiety attacks was just the symptom, just like a fever or pain is for an infection. The goal for me is not a cure but how to be healthy in the long run.
I have picked up tools that help me manage my emotions and thoughts better: understanding the root causes and triggers (trauma and grief), language to be able to identify and talk about what I am feeling or going through, and other helpful tactics like breathing, journaling or even sharing my story.
Like balms, medication, good nutrition, exercise and preventative medicine for the body, the work I do at therapy and the tools i pick up has helped me heal, be strong and find wellness for my mind.
Now, the help and tools each one needs is different depending on individual circumstances. Some need professional help, others specialized attention, some need medication and others just need to learn and practice tips and tools to carry on.
This Monday, I wanted to share that everyone has a mental health story. This is mine and why I still go to therapy, what I get from it and how it has helped me so far. Everyone has a different journey. What has helped you? How has therapy been for you? What are the tools you picked up?
Let’s talk about our stories. Tell me yours.
#mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #therapy #destigmatizementalhealth #anxietyattack #mentalhealthmonday #story #storytelling #seekinghelp #resources #tellyourstory
Mental Health Mondays: 002 How to find help
#mentalhealthmondays episode 2
Last week I talked about what brought me to seek help and start seeing a therapist. This week I’ll tell you how I did that.
After I experienced my anxiety attack, (which I forgot to mention happened at work but at a somewhat private office) I had a couple more attacks that made me realize I needed help, and quick. But where does one get help?
I remembered reading an employee assistance program benefit at work that provided me 5 free sessions with a mental health professional. I called the number and got an appointment with one near my apartment.
I did 2 session with that therapist and learned his style did not match my personality. He talked too much and there was a lot i needed off my chest and mind. 😜 So I called the EAP number again and found one that worked better. However, I needed more than 5 sessions.
A friend recommended one that he was seeing (who also took my insurance). I looked this therapist, Dr. Paul, up on psychologytoday.com to get a sense of his credentials and specialties. I gave him a call, set up a first session and went. I liked it and saw him again and again. I have now been seeing that therapist for the last couple of years. We have done a lot of work and I definitely see the difference in me.
Where can you find help? Check what your work benefits and insurance covers, ask friends, find one on psychologytoday.com (they have a good search function) and ask all the questions you might have!
This Monday, I just want to let you know that everyone has a mental health story. When looking for help, it is important to make sure you pick the right therapist. Just like your primary care doctor or personal trainer, sometimes you need to find one that understands you and matches your needs. It took me 3 tries!
There are a lot of resources to find help. Just ask!
Let’s share our stories. Tell me yours!
#mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #therapy #destigmatizementalhealth #anxietyattack #mentalhealthmonday #story #storytelling #seekinghelp #resources #tellyourstory #notAnAd #notpaidpromotion
Mental Health Mondays: 001 How it all began
There’s more to us than just our smiles. Let’s talk about mental health!
I grew up thinking that considering mental health is only reserved for those who need to be admitted to a psychiatric facility.
But in the last few years I have learned that mental health is for everybody and it is different for every person. It is also important to take care of it as much as we take care of our physical health
I’ve always considered myself a strong person, mentally and spiritually. But 5 years ago, I had an anxiety attack. I was in my office, in the middle of the afternoon and I was having a meltdown. No, I wasn’t just nervous, it was more. I found it hard to breath, my heart was racing, yet I was frozen. I did not know what was happening and I did not know what to do. I felt a mix of panic, fear, helplessness and anxiety. It took a friend to catch me in this state to call it out and help me get through it.
After that, I decided to get help and sought out a therapist. I have been seeing one since. Through therapy and educating myself more about mental health, I have picked up many tools to manage my health and also work on some of the root causes of my anxiety.
I am not ashamed to publicly say it as this has been a huge part of my growth and wellness in the last couple of years. Talking to a therapist also helped me get through the lockdown this past year.
This Monday, I just want to let you know that everyone has a mental health story. I have one. It is ok to ask for help, to seek therapy and to talk about it.
Let’s share our stories. Tell me yours!
#mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #therapy #destigmatizementalhealth #anxietyattack #mentalhealthmonday #story #storytelling #smile