Caring for Ourselves During National Suicide Prevention Month
Self-care looks different for everyone. For some, this may mean going for a run. Others may prefer to go for a drive and listen to their favorite playlist. However, deciding the best way to care for oneself comes from listening to the body’s wants and needs.
Self-care is vital to our overall well-being. In a Vagaro national survey, Americans noted three major benefits to self-care: happiness (71 percent), increased productivity (67 percent) and enhanced self-confidence. The positive impacts are endless.
The month of September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and it is especially important to take care of ourselves during this time. We at The Edge came up with a few different examples to practice whatever form of self-care is needed.
Hit the Mat
Yoga has long been understood as a form of self-care that targets both the body and the mind. “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,” a textbook written by the sage Patanjali, defined yoga as the union of body, mind, soul and spirit.
The improvement of strength, balance and flexibility are just a few of the main physical benefits that yoga offers. When moving slowly and breathing deeply, blood flow is increased, and holding a pose builds strength.
For a more physical form of yoga practice, we at The Edge recommend giving vinyasa yoga a try! Perfect for all skill levels, vinyasa focuses on linking the flow of the breath with movements.
YouTube is a great resource for finding free yoga videos to practice at home!
Mentally, yoga can improve focus by helping one remain in the moment. Shaleigh Comerford, adjunct instructor in Performing Arts at Elon University, teaches the yoga course and said a consistent, conscious yoga practice helps her remain in the present moment.
“Past and future are mental concepts,” Comerford said. “The present moment is a refuge and the only place where I can center, ground and discover new choices, new possibilities and new perspectives.”
All forms of yoga work to improve focus, but Iyengar yoga specifically focuses on discipline to sharpen the mind.
Lace Up the Sneakers
For a simpler version of physical self-care, walking provides a multitude of both mental and physical benefits.
As many college students deal with different stressors and forms of anxiety, regularly taking walks targets this by increasing our self-esteem. All forms of exercise, especially walking, stimulate the production of endorphins. These endorphins can alleviate levels of stress and anxiety.
Physically, walking reduces the risk of developing heart disease by increasing cardiovascular fitness. The risk of type 2 diabetes also decreases through reducing excess body fat. Osteoporosis becomes less likely by strengthening the bones. The risk of some cancers also decreases by improving muscle power and endurance.
Lacing up the sneakers, putting on those headphones and going on a 30-minute walk every day can lead to positive physical and mental health.
For podcast lovers, listening to one while walking can be a great way to keep occupied! TikTok star Alix Earle dropped her podcast “Hot Mess” on Thursday, Sept. 21 under “Call Her Daddy” podcast host Alex Cooper’s new network, Unwell.
Put Pen to Paper
Journaling provides an outlet to express our emotions, which is necessary for maintaining mental well-being. It can help one to prioritize problems, fears and concerns, identify any negative mental triggers and work through both positive and negative self-talk. This can aid symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress.
The National Library of Medicine carried out a study to determine the impacts of journaling on those with post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression disorders or a combination of the three. It was found that journaling reduced scores on patient health measures, and it recommended that primary care providers consider journaling as an adjunct form of therapy.
When getting started with journaling, maintaining regularity, readily having a paper and pen handy and writing or drawing whatever feels best are helpful tips!
You don’t have to travel far to find a journal! The Elon Bookstore sells notebooks for under five dollars.
During National Suicide Prevention Month, it is especially important to take care of our minds and bodies. For further mental health resources, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988.