Society, individually we need to start unwrapping mental health and make it more fashionable so that we're looking at mental wellness. Take the time to gently explore your thoughts with patience and care – to understand why you feel what you feel. Embrace each feeling that surfaces, allowing your emotions to dissolve the stress and concerns that weigh you down.

Before the pandemic, mental health wasn’t a major focus. Five years into Covid it has plummeted to crisis levels.

Your mental health deserves your attention

Mental health deserves your attention and care. Take a moment to sit with your thoughts, allowing each one to settle without rushing through them. Rather than skimming the surface, give yourself the space to reflect on your emotions. Notice what resonates with you and observe what stirs you. Be fully present in the moment so you're aware of your mental health, of how you feel. Don't ignore your mental health.

Engage with your 'mind and soul'

Engagement isn't just about skimming through the motions – it's about involving your mind and soul. Your mental health, like everything else in life, is always shifting and evolving, but it requires effort. Some days, that effort will feel okay, while other days, it might feel overwhelming, leaving you with a sinking feeling.

Understand yourself

The good news is that every moment of reflection is a step toward deeper self-understanding. It's a way of nurturing both yourself and your mental wellbeing. Just as you wouldn’t rush through a heartfelt conversation with a close friend, or savouring your favourite meal, why hurry past your own thoughts and feelings? Mental health is about embracing the journey, yet so few of us are taking that first step. It’s time to start.

Conclusion

As someone who holds mental health in high regard, my blog, The CP Diary, is dedicated to helping you engage with your wellbeing in a mindful and compassionate way. I encourage you to find moments to pause – time to reflect and connect with your personal experiences, with your mental health. Let each thought be an opportunity for you to slow down and embrace what is happening within you. Your mental health deserves your care and attention.

It takes less effort to keep on top of mental health than it does to deal with illness. So why not take a deep breath, relax, and let's embark on this journey of self-discovery and self-care together.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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