Times are Challenging. Check In with Yourself!

A great way to practice self-care is to check in with yourself regularly to see how you are feeling. Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down, or go for a walk in a peaceful place. Take some slow, deep breaths. Go over your body from head to toe, noting any points of tension or discomfort. Treat yourself to a stretch or a little self-massage. Now focus on your emotions. How are you?

Be honest with yourself, now is not the time to suppress your feelings or "power through". If you are calm and happy, celebrate that! If you are feeling anything negative, try to name your emotions accurately. Feeling stressed? Are you really feeling anxious, angry, embarrassed, sad, or drained? If you are sad, are you disappointed, melancholy, lonely, or devastated? If you are angry, are you irritated, furious, or apoplectic? Name your feelings as specifically as you can.

Try to identify the feelings under the feelings. If you are devastated, the underlying feeling might be grief, betrayal, or abandonment. If you feel drained, underneath, you might feel overextended, unappreciated, or bored. Remind yourself that emotions are transient, they are not who you are, and you can change them.

Feeling lonely? Reach out to friends and family, or sign up for a class or group activity so you can meet new people. Feeling angry? Go for a run, hit a punching bag or pillow, or journal about what you are angry about. If you feel too overwhelmed to be able to do anything to change how you feel, or you are having negative feelings that have lasted several weeks or more, you may need help from a mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is having problems with mental health, we would love to help. Call 303-736-9697 or use the Contact/Location button above to make an appointment today!

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or anyone else, please call 911, go to your nearest Emergency Room, or call one of the hotlines below:

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255

Transgender Lifeline 1-877-565-8860

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

OK2Talk Helpline Teen Helpline 1 (800) 273-TALK

Crisis Text Line Text SIGNS to 741741 for 24/7, anonymous, free crisis counseling