When we think about our health, it's easy to focus on the things we can measure: the number on the scale, the minutes we spend moving or the choices we make at mealtime. But our health is about so much more than numbers and habits.
October 10 is World Mental Health Day, a perfect time to check in with ourselves, recognize what we might be carrying and remember that caring for our minds is an important part of caring for our overall health.
Mental Health IS Health
Mental health plays a big role in our physical health, often more than we realize. It can affect our motivation and make everyday tasks feel harder, whether that's finding the energy to exercise, planning meals or even remembering to take our daily vitamins.
Mental health can also affect how we see ourselves. When we’re struggling mentally, it can be hard to feel confident or feel like we’re making progress. On the other hand, when we're in a good place mentally, it can feel easier to take care of ourselves, work toward our goals and celebrate our progress.
That's why it's important to remember that our journeys aren't just about physical changes. How we feel mentally and emotionally matters, too.
Small Ways to Support Your Mental Health
Celebrate progress beyond the scale. Maybe you made time for a walk, tried a new recipe or showed up for yourself on a difficult day. These moments count, too, even if they don't show up on the scale.
Notice how you talk to yourself. Would you speak to a friend the way you speak to yourself when you've had a difficult day? Give yourself the same patience and encouragement you'd offer someone else.
Make room for connection. Whether it's chatting with someone in your chapter, calling a friend or checking in on a loved one, meaningful connections remind us that we don't have to navigate life's challenges alone.
Recognize when you need more support. Sometimes, stress or difficult feelings can become more than we can manage on our own. If they're affecting your daily life, reaching out to a mental health professional can be an important step toward feeling better.
Remember to Care for Yourself, Too
When you're working toward a goal, it's easy to get caught up in the numbers and focus on what you wish were different. But your worth isn't determined by the number on the scale or whether you meet every goal you set for yourself. Your wellness journey is about more than physical changes. It's also about learning to care for yourself, building healthy habits and finding ways to feel good both physically and mentally.
This World Mental Health Day, take a moment to check in with yourself. Think about what you might need more of in your life, whether it's rest, connection, encouragement or simply a little time to yourself.
Taking care of your mental health is part of taking care of your whole self. You deserve that care every day.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or emotional struggles, contact the 988 Lifeline. You are not alone.
Lexi Wojcik-Kretchmer is the TOPS Communications Specialist and Writer/Editor for TOPS News. When she’s not working at TOPS, you can probably find her at the gym, listening to audiobooks on the treadmill, finding good-tasting ways to get her protein in or curled up in the evening with a good book and her cats, Chimi and Little Man, by her side.
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