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Many people underestimate the impact that mental illness can have on an individual or family. It can be difficult to admit that you have a mental health problem in your life. Secondly, it can be just as difficult in getting the people you know to understand your situation without making any kinds of judgments.
As a result, here are six reasons why you should make your mental health an important priority in your life.
1. Your situation will improve if you get help: Your anxieties and fears can be challenging to manage and more than likely you will need some help. Just as you talk to your doctor about your regular health, you should not be hesitant in seeking help for your mental health. If left untreated, your anxieties and fears may not go away.
2. Drugs and alcohol are not the answer: Drugs and alcohol can make your problems more complicated. Many people have said that drugs and alcohol will only add more problems to your situation. Be smart and learn how to cope with your mental health issues by talking to a qualified professional. There are many health professionals in your area that can give you some ideas on where you can go for assistance.
3. You will save time and money: Eventually, you will have to confront your fears and mental health issues. Save yourself the time and heartache and confront your problems now rather than later. You will save months of struggling by getting help right away. The sooner you get assistance the faster you will start getting some relief.
4. You are not alone: Everyone deals with fear, stress, and anxiety in one’s life whether your friends and others care to admit it. In addition, do not be embarrassed that you are getting help. We all learn new things from others on a daily basis and learning how to manage your anxieties is no different. In addition, your goal is to get your life back on track and not to get everyone’s approval. If people start asking you questions, just say your dealing with stress. Most people can relate to dealing with stress and anxiety!
5. Do not make the mistake of doing nothing: There are many people who struggled with anxiety and other mental health related issues, and they tried to ignore their problems. As a result, some of these people struggled on a daily basis and eventually things became more difficult. It can be scary asking for assistance, but the key is to take things one day at a time.
6. You have a variety of options: There are many mental health support groups, organizations, and counselors in your area that can help get your life back on track. Talk to your doctor to get more details on where you can go for some assistance. Help is available but you must be willing to make the choice of getting better. Remember that every problem has a solution. You just have to make the effort to find the answers.
Stan Popovich
Stan is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which covers a variety of techniques that can drastically improve your mental health. For more information, please visit Stan’s website.
December gives us the opportunity to imitate our Heavenly Father, who gave His best Treasure from His heart of love to the world that He created. A treasure is an item or a person that is highly valued. Mary received the Father’s Gift into her womb and birthed Jesus into the world. Joseph, the shepherds, angels, and wise men joined in welcoming and worshipping the newborn King. Although December may not be the actual month of Jesus’ birth, we celebrate Him and recognize His value.
Following the Father’s example, giving gifts earmarks the Christmas season. We give treasured gifts of time, memories, songs, food, words, items, cards, and so much more. It’s time to cherish and hide these treasures in our hearts.
Both my parents were generous givers and hopefully I follow suit. When I was in college, I remember Mom inviting me into her bedroom.
“I have something I want to show you, honey,” she beckoned.
I followed her with anticipation. Because Mom and I wore the same clothing size, she shared her clothes with me over the years. I thought that prompted this special meeting. She walked into her bedroom and sat on her bed beside a nightstand. I sat down next to her.
“I’m not wearing as much jewelry as I used to when I was teaching,” she said. She unsnapped a quilted jewelry bag and poured out the contents on the bed.
“Wow, Mom, you can’t give all of this away.”
“Oh, I’m offering you whatever you’d enjoy wearing and I’ll keep the rest,” she responded.
I sorted through the precious pieces and chose several items that I still enjoy to this day. There were: dangly pearl earrings, two pearl necklaces of different lengths, three silver necklaces of assorted designs, two silver loop earrings, and a black beaded necklace with glittery decor. Then she reached into the drawer and took out a large plastic bag of Indian jewelry.
“I could use these in the Indian presentation I’m preparing for one of my education classes at school,” I responded. “Thank you so much!” I gave her a big hug.
I chose handmade Indian necklaces stranded with leather, silver bracelets and rings with genuine turquoise stones, and one or two beaded broaches backed with leather.
“Here,” she offered, “why don’t you also take these two leather beaded purses?”
“Those are so cool. Thank you, Mom. I’ll treasure these things just like you have.”
“I know you will, honey. It’s a joy for me to share my treasures with my treasured daughter. I love you.”
I reached over and hugged her. “I love you, too.”
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 NKJV)
Barbara Zimmerman
President, Wordwrights OKC Christian Writers
Published Author:
Paw Prints in My Heart,
Paw Prints in My Heart 2 with Mosie Lou,
Mosie Lou and the Teacher
Caregiver for Seniors Helping Seniors
Annie Shurtleff is a 77-year-old single woman from Tulsa, OK. Since retiring in 1996, she has hiked in the Azores, the Sonoran Desert, and Muir Woods. She has celebrated Christmas in the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, and Natchez, Mississippi. She helped build a Rose Parade float. And she has done all of this as an independent senior woman. Annie travels solo but with a group called Road Scholar. This educational travel organization allows Annie to meet other seniors who share similar interests and also enjoy learning when they travel.
“I travel solo because I want to see the world and enjoy life,” said Annie. “I don’t have a husband, and my friends are busy. Not everybody has the freedom or the finances, and I don’t want to miss out on things.”
Annie escapes the Tulsa summer heat by volunteering out of state. For the past five years she’s volunteered at the YMCA in the Colorado Rockies. She works as a lobby hostess and teaches pickleball 28 hours a week for room and board. She enjoys being a part of the community of volunteers who live there together in the summer. She has also worked in the Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks.
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