Well Words Wednesday | May is Mental Health Awareness Month

04 30 2025

Mental Health Awareness Month is a national movement started by Mental Health America (MHA) in 1949 to bring awareness and educate the public about the importance of mental health and mental health conditions. This month’s blog focuses on 31 ideas, one for each day of May, for strengthening our mental health. These tips can also be found on the church bulletin board and @christchurchgvl Instagram page each week.

1. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a good time to focus on your mental health and proactively engage in practices to strengthen your mental health and wellbeing.
2. Start your day with gratitude. Write down three things for which you are grateful.
3. Your spiritual gift is given to you at birth. Glorifying God, serving others, and building up your church community is your gift back to God. Discover and develop your spiritual gifts.
4. Go for a walk outside. Fresh air and movement can shift your mood.
5. Remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health! Have you had your yearly check-up from the neck up?
6. Drink more water! Hydration impacts your mood and energy.
7. Be intentional about limiting your screen time. Instead of picking up your phone because you have a few minutes, use those moments to talk to God or quiet your mind with deep breathing.
8. Do something different! Visit a place you have not been to before: a park, restaurant, museum, or nearby town.
9. Schedule time to talk with a friend at a coffee shop, on a walk, or on the phone. Share your joys and your challenges.
10. Get out of your own head and do something kind for someone else.
11. Managing your stress is crucial for optimal mental health! Meditate every day for 15-20 minutes.
    
12. Let go of perfectionism! Be aware of your inner critic and negative self talk.
13. Practice self-compassion. Talk to yourself as you would a friend.
    
14. Perfectionism is often rooted in fear…fear of failure, judgment, or rejection. Choose peace over pressure.
    
15. Take care of your mental health! Take a mental health day when needed.
    
16. Enhance your brain health. Learn something new to lay down new pathways in your brain. Learn to play a musical instrument. Learn a new language. Take up a new hobby.
17. Prioritize quality sleep to improve your mental, emotional, and physical health. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night and keep a consistent sleep schedule. Maintaining a regular sleep cycle has many benefits such balancing your hormones, lowering inflammation, improving brain health and your metabolism. *
    
18. The CDC recommends adults get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise. Consult your doctor about what is best for you.
    
19. Exercise has been shown to have a powerful, positive effect on our mental and emotional health.
    
20. Exercise releases endorphins which boost your mood. It reduces anxiety. It increases blood flow which improves your cognitive function and sleep.
21. One of the best ways to improve your mental health is to pay attention to your nutrition! Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and healthy protein each day.
22. Reduce your intake of processed foods! They have ingredients that are harmful to your health, and that also spike your blood glucose. Shop the outer walls of your grocery store.
    
23. Strive to eat 30 different varieties of whole plant foods each week! Whole plant foods consist of vegetables, fruits, legumes (peas, beans, lentils), whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
    
24. What you eat doesn’t just feed your body…it fuels your mind! The gut and the brain are closely connected through the “gut-brain axis”.
    
25. A healthy gut microbiome (supported by fiber rich foods, and minimally processed foods) helps regulate mood-related hormones such as serotonin.
    
26. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a major role in regulating mood and sleep, controlling hunger, and improving cognitive function and emotional regulation. Up to 90% of your serotonin is produced in your gut!
    
27. Social and purposeful engagement contribute to happiness, wellbeing, and longevity. Engage in meaningful activities with others!
28. When you are feeling anxious or stressed, practice grounding yourself in the present moment. Engage your 5 senses as you breathe deeply. Observe your surroundings. Touch nearby objects, noticing their texture and temperature. Take note of what sounds you hear and what scents you smell.
    
29. Strive for more green time and less screen time!
    
30. Practice forgiveness. Forgiving yourself and others helps to lighten your emotional burdens.
31. Let God be your rudder and your anchor, not just your life raft! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
    

In closing, a profound quote for reflection about our mental health:

“Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is…life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.”

~ Pope Francis

*DrAnnWellness.com