Mental Health Awareness - CYN Counseling Center

For over 45 years, CYN Counseling Center has been at the forefront of mental health counseling and programs. With this extensive experience, we intimately recognize the pressing need for support. Remember, mental health matters every day, not just in May. Prioritize your well-being and that of your loved ones by nurturing your mental wellness year-round. Mind Matters, now and always.

What’s in Your Emotional Wellness Toolkit?

Your wellness can affect your ability to carry out everyday activities, your relationships, and your overall mental health. How you react to your experiences and feelings can change over time. Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.

Here are a few tips & tricks to being your best emotional self.

BUILD RESILIENCE

People who are emotionally well, experts say, have fewer negative emotions and are able to bounce back
from difficulties faster. Learning healthy ways to cope and how to draw from resources
in your community can help you build resilience.

Ways to Build Resilience:

REDUCE STRESS

Everyone feels stressed from time to time. Stress can give you a rush of energy when it’s needed most. But if stress
lasts a long time—a condition known as chronic stress—those “high alert” changes become harmful rather than helpful.

Ways to Manage Stress:

GET QUALITY SLEEP

To fit in everything we want to do in our day, we often sacrifice sleep. But sleep affects both mental and physical health.
It’s vital to your well-being. When you’re tired, you can’t function at your best. Sleep helps you think more clearly, have quicker
reflexes and focus better.

Ways to Increase Sleep Quality:

BE MINDFUL

The ancient practice of mindfulness is about being completely aware of what’s happening in
the present—of all that’s going on inside and all that’s happening around you. It means not living your life on “autopilot.”
Becoming a more mindful person requires commitment and practice.

Ways to be More Mindful:

o Take some deep breaths in through your nose to a count of 4, hold for 1 second and then exhale through the mouth to a count of 5. Repeat often.

o Enjoy a stroll, notice the sights around you.

o Practice mindful eating. Be aware of each bite and when you’re full.

o Be aware of your body. Do a mental scan, bring your attention to how each part feels.

o Find mindfulness resources, including online programs.

COPE WITH LOSS

When someone you love dies or grows ill or if you experience a significantly negative life event, your world changes. Although grief
can feel overwhelming, most people can make it through the grieving process with the support of family and friends.
Learn healthy ways to help you through difficult times.

Ways to Cope with Loss:

STRENGTHEN SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Social connections might help protect health and lengthen life. Scientists are finding that our links to others can have
powerful effects on our health—both emotionally and physically. Whether with romantic partners, family, friends,
neighbors, or others, social connections can influence our biology and well-being.