By Marina George, Psychology and Political Science, JMU ’22, and Ryan Ritter History and International Affairs, JMU ’23
Thursday, May 20, 2021 is the first annual Mental Health Action Day. In the wake of COVID-19, millions of people have uncovered new mental health conditions and millions more have had their existing challenges exacerbated. While more people than ever before are comfortable discussing mental health, many fall through the cracks in the space between awareness and action – particularly those who have been marginalized or underserved by existing institutions. We must take steps now to meet the needs of our communities. What actions will you take for yourself or others?
Common symptoms of not managing your stress:
- Fatigue
- Sleep difficulties
- Lack of motivation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased muscle tension
- Excessive worry
- Socially withdrawing from others
- Increased negative emotions and irritability
- Impaired immune system and digestive problems
What is self care & Why is it important?
Self-care is defined as an activity that we deliberately participate in to care for our emotional, physical, or mental health. While simple in name, self care is often overlooked. It is not an activity that is forced, so please do not force yourself to do an activity that you do not enjoy. Self-care is an activity that has the sole purpose of taking a break from stress. It is a tool to refuel and involves taking time to do what you love and to take time that is dedicated to taking care of yourself.
Dimensions of Wellness – How to evaluate where you need to practice self-care in your life
Self-care is associated with wellness which is defined as an interactive process of melding healthy choices and self-awareness in order to craft a more successful and balanced lifestyle.
Wellness Dimensions
Social Wellness: Development of friendships and the ability to comfortably build relationships with others. It encourages contributions to the welfare of community as well as coexistence with your community, environment, and society.
Intellectual Wellness: Desire to learn from experiences, and is important for growth intellectually and creatively through mental activity. An intellectually well person will use available resources to expand their skills and knowledge to better themselves and society.
Spiritual Wellness: This dimension transcends religious beliefs, as it involves the willingness to seek meaning and purpose in human existence. It is important because it coincides with the exploration of the meaning of life, which allows for a harmony between emotions and beliefs.
Emotional Wellness: having the ability to acknowledge and accept a wide range of feelings in yourself and others.It is important to acknowledge and manage your own feelings. This dimension centers on the acceptance of individual thoughts and feelings. An emotionally well individual is able to evaluate limitations and cope with stressors effectively.
Physical Wellness: This dimension focuses on regular physical activities, proper nutrition, and personal hygiene. It is important to understand the warning signs of your body and to take responsibility to adjust your lifestyle if you feel that it is necessary.
Occupational Wellness: This is the integration of all other dimensions into planning a framework for a healthy future. This is crafted through finding enrichment and personal satisfaction with your personal and professional life.
Maintaining mental health looks different for everyone. Taking action includes (but is not limited to):
- Finding a therapist
- Reaching out to a friend
- Starting a meditation practice
- Joining a peer support group
- Checking in with yourself
- Researching resources
- Scheduling your first yoga class
- Taking action to expand access
- Joining a support program
If you have concerns about your or someone else’s mental health, please contact a medical professional or call 1-800-273-TALK(8255) for a free, confidential conversation.
The JMU Counseling Center covers basic resources for mental health concerns facing JMU students.
Resources for Self-Care at JMU
- The Counseling Center has virtual visiting hours as well as various self-care spaces
- Visit the Oasis for a couple hours to relax
- The studio in Student Success Center is an art space that is great for creative expression
- UREC offers not only a great place to work out but also workout, nutrition and wellness classes
Read more about Good Health and Well Being, a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal by Angelina Clapp.
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