July is National Minority Mental Health Month. This month was created to bring awareness to the disparities that still exist as it relates to access to good treatment. Yes, mental health affects all, but when I look out on the streets of New York City, I can see the differences. There is still a stigma amongst many communities of color in terms of identifying and treating it. On this first Monday of the month, let’s learn more about it but also let’s increase our mindfulness as it relates to our daily mental health. Today, for this Mindful Monday, I want to discuss environmental awareness.
Paying attention to what’s around is important to create the mental stability you want. Whether taking in the natural scenery or putting yourself in a space with people who bring calm to your spirit. Being mindful of all in your environment can help with mental stability. So, what else can be done to help this.
- Take scenic pictures of what appeals to you
- Journal about what you see around you in each moment when you are still
- Sit outside in nature for an extended period
- Identify the senses that feel calm when you take in your present environment (sound, smell, etc.)
- Identify the different colors and shapes within your environment (the sky, buildings, etc.)
This is all just one step in the right direction of practicing mindful behavior. Starting out with environmental awareness is a precursor to understanding what’s within. We all have different situations in which we live that may or may not be beneficial to our mental health, but being able to identify and proceed with making changings is the starting point.