People will workout, eat healthy, and take vitamins, but they often forget about what one of the most important aspects we need to take care of, the brain and mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in their life, and 17% of youth (6-17 years) experience a mental health disorder. Yet, this is something that people don’t like to talk about; the average delay between symptom onset and treatment is 11 years. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help.

When it comes to mental health, remembering to take care of yourself can be a hassle, especially if you’re not in the right mindset. When struggling with mental health, I found that the website NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) can be very helpful with tips.

One of the main points a section on this website talks about is finding what exactly your stressors are. Whether it be family, money, school, it’s essential to realize that it’s okay if something is stressing you out; you are allowed to feel this way.

When a stressor is found, it’s good to note how it makes you feel. But how can you do that? I have found that journaling helps immensely. Journaling your thoughts can help you get more in depth with how certain things make you feel. Taking care of yourself is completely normal, and there is nothing wrong with journaling your thoughts.

Along with normalizing your mental health, it’s good to begin practicing good habits. You do not need to feel guilty about the feelings you are having, and you may even feel bad about having negative emotions pop up. When the realization hits that you don’t have to judge yourself for the thoughts in your head, finding peace within becomes easier. I know that taking care of your mental health is becoming more exposed in the media, but I believe it still has a stigma attached to it. This really needs to go away.

Taking care of your brain is just as important as taking care of your body. You live most of your life in your thoughts, why not make it a safe space?