Dear Editor,

May is recognised as Mental Health Awareness Month.

Oftentimes, we focus on our physical bodies. We detox, stick to a particular diet, and exercise. However, how much time have we given to our mental health? How often do we check ourselves to ensure that we are really doing well mentally? For us to be mentally healthy, we have to embrace mental detox. That is, flush our minds from negative thoughts and unhealthy patterns. We do this through reading the word of God, renewing our minds daily, practising positive self-talk, engaging in journalling activities, embracing mindfulness, using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, and living a life of gratitude.

Furthermore, we are bombarded on a daily basis with information from all angles. This can affect us if we are not intentional about what we receive and what we reject. We should be intentional about our mental diet. That is, the things we feed our minds. Like the body’s digestive system in which the process starts from the mouth, our minds have a storage system that begins from outlets like our eyes and ears. Thus, we must be careful what we watch, read, and listen to, because, overtime, those things will form a pattern and affect how we think and ultimately behave.

The mental detox journey requires, therefore, that we be mindful of our intake and not be afraid to unplug. This means taking time from social media and disconnecting from negativity to just breathe, rest, and enjoy the stillness. In a fast-paced, busy world, it may sound foreign to some people to simply do nothing. This is good for our mental health. It is important that we connect with ourselves so we can become more self-aware, being able to identify our triggers and coping mechanisms.

Like our bodies, our minds need exercise. We do this through reading books, working on puzzles and brain teasers, and writing. This should be done daily or weekly so that we can keep our minds engaged. A healthy mind results in a healthy body, so it is critical that we take good care of our minds.

If we are intentional about detoxing our minds, as well as participating in activities that challenge us, then we are on a great path to becoming mentally healthy.

Shauna-Kay Douglas

Teacher, pastor, author

douglasshauna91@yahoo.com