Today we have a blog post from one of our Master’s level interns, Katelyn Ramsay, about sustaining your mental health. Katelyn has a passion for helping others and desires for her clients to feel seen, safe, heard, and understood.
Her counseling approach relies on the practice of and use of compassion, growth, support, and empowerment with oneself and one’s relationships. Holding a strong belief that everyone’s journey is unique; Katelyn values the power of the therapeutic relationship. She believes wholeheartedly that all people have potential for growth.
She believes all people and bodies are worthy and valuable. Katelyn feels honored to walk alongside her clients on this journey, not only to heal but also to discover a deeper sense of purpose and self-worth.
Building Sustainable Mental Health Habits
May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time dedicated to normalizing conversations about mental health and reminding us that it is okay not to be okay. Taking care of your mental health is an ongoing, intentional practice. This Mental Health Awareness Month, I encourage you to focus on building sustainable habits that support your emotional well-being. Below are examples of steps you can take in your everyday life to support this:
- Create a Daily Check-In Routine
It may be helpful to set aside intentional time throughout your day or week to check in on how you are truly doing. This could look like a daily reminder on your phone, a sticky note on your mirror, or even an accountability partner who encourages you to pause and reflect.
- Practice Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation involves noticing and responding to your emotions in a healthy and intentional way. When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, try to pause and create a moment of space between your feeling and your reaction. This may look like naming the emotion you are experiencing or briefly stepping away from the situation. From there, ask yourself: “What do I need right now to feel more grounded?” Practicing this skill over time can help you feel more in control and less reactive in difficult moments.
- Develop a Coping Toolbox
A coping toolbox can take many forms. It might include a list of five or more coping strategies (such as deep breathing, walking, listening to music, or journaling) that you can turn to during a trying moment. It is important to keep this toolbox accessible, whether in your phone’s notes app or in a journal. I also encourage you to use these tools proactively, not just in difficult moments, as this helps strengthen your ability to cope over time.
One resource I recommend is the Calm app. It offers a wide variety of tools to support mental health in practical and accessible ways. Within the app, you can find guided meditations tailored to different needs, along with breathing exercises that can help you ground yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed. The app is also flexible, so whether you have one minute or ten, you can easily incorporate these tools into your daily routine.
An affirmation I want to leave you with is: “Taking care of my mental health is important, and I am worthy of support and self-compassion.”
Cheering you on!
Katelyn Ramsay
We hope you found Katelyn’s insights on supporting your emotional well-being helpful. If her message resonated with you, this could be the perfect time to take meaningful steps towards your healing and peace. To initiate your work with Katelyn, please feel free to call our office at 615-510-3797 or click here to learn more.
