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6 Ways To Improve Your Mental Health

  1. Set healthy boundaries and ask for help when you need it
  2. Create habits that make your daily life easier/less stressful
  3. Try fun exercises such as biking, dancing, or skating
  4. Socialize with friends and keep in touch
  5. Keep things as neat and organized as possible
  6. Get enough sleep and make time to unwind during the day

Source: @selftime

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How to Boost Your Self-Confidence

  • Focus on what you can change/improve
  • Do more of what makes you happy
  • Practice self-talk
  • Accept your weaknesses and work on them
  • Surround yourself with supportive/positive people
  • Celebrate your small wins
  • Instead of comparing yourself to others, practice self-compassion
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6 Ways To Love Yourself A Little More

  1. Stop comparing yourself to others

2. Don’t worry about other people’s opinion

3. Remember your value doesn’t lie in how your body looks

4. Don’t be afraid to let go of toxic people

5. Make time for the little things you enjoy

6. Allow yourself some downtime

Source: @selftime

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Seeking Peace: My First Poem

For this peace I seek,
And hopes for my pains decrease
My brain shall now speak-

As high as treelength,
I’m searching for my peace,
I just need the strength.

My thoughts are scattered,
Tears flowing like I’m battered,
My heart is shattered.

Stuck in the darkness,
I’ll make it out regardless-
A soul so harmless.

Yes, the peace is there,
Hidden within the darkness near,
My mind I need cleared-

I seek peace deeply
Silent weeps so discreetly,
The light is near me.

My story I tell,
Even stuck deep down a well,
They’ll be no farewell.

#YouAreNotAlone

-Cherry and the Hoot

Blog

You Deserve To Be Proud of Yourself

You deserve to be proud of yourself for bouncing back and realizing your worth after someone else didn’t.

You deserve to be proud of yourself for trusting your own timeline instead of borrowing someone else’s.

You deserve to be proud of yourself for staying true to YOU in a world that pressures you just to fit in.

You deserve to be proud of yourself for letting go of someone who made you feel lonely and unappreciated.

You deserve to be proud of yourself for pushing through a cycle of anxiety and coming out even stronger.

You deserve to be proud of yourself for holding onto a standard when it’s easier to lower the bar.

You deserve to be proud of yourself for not limiting your potential based on a previous life chapter.

Source: @selfcareisajourney

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Ways to Observe National Suicide Prevention Week

If you aren’t sure how to observe National Suicide Prevention Week (9/4-9/10), I have listed a few ways from the National Today site below:

  1. Raise Awareness

One of the most helpful and effective ways we can observe Suicide Prevention Week is by raising awareness of it. The goal is to reduce the stigma around it and raise awareness so that more people can reach out for help.

2. Educate Yourself

The best thing we can do is to learn more about it. We need to educate ourselves and facilitate proactive prevention in our communities so that we can shatter the silence around our mental health.

3. Look out for others

Most people suffering from poor mental health do not reach out for help for fear of being judged or misunderstood. So we need to look out for others and check for warning signs. We need to help people feel heard and understood.

Source: National Today

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Warning Signs of Suicide and How To Help

For those unaware, September is the month of many things, but Suicide Prevention Awareness is the main focus of the Cherry and the Hoot blog. As many find suicide to be a challenging topic of discussion, I believe more people should talk about it to help save the life of others potentially. In addition, bringing awareness allows us to possibly identify warning signs and know what to do during a time of crisis for ourselves or someone else. 

Below I have included a list of warning signs, what to do, and what to avoid should you encounter one suffering from suicidal ideations or thoughts:

Warning Signs of Suicide

Talk

If a person talks about:

  • Killing themselves
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Having no reason to live
  • Being a burden to others
  • Feeling trapped
  • Unbearable pain

Behavior

If a person displays one or more of the following behaviors:

  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs
  • Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods
  • Withdrawing from activities
  • Isolating from family and friends
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
  • Giving away prized possessions
  • Aggression
  • Fatigue

Mood

If a person displays one or more of the following moods:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of interest
  • Irritability
  • Humiliation/Shame
  • Agitation/Anger
  • Relief/Sudden Improvement

How To Help

  • Talk in private and ask directly if suicidal
  • Remove any weapons such as firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used
  • Listen and acknowledge their feelings
  • Tell them you care about them
  • Encourage them to seek treatment or reach out to their doctor
  • Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text 988
  • Escort to mental health services or emergency room for treatment
  • Follow up after the crisis

What Not To Do

  • Avoid debating the value of life
  • Avoid minimizing their problems
  • Avoid giving unwanted advice
  • Avoid leaving someone who is “high risk” alone
  • Avoid being judgemental

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please get in touch with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by calling 1-800-273-8255 or texting 988. 

Always remember, you are NOT alone!

Much Love Hooters,

Cherry and the Hoot

Sources: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; National Institute for Mental Health

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What is Meant For You Will Be For You: Relationships & Careers

Sometimes in our lives, we tend to force or try to accept the things that are not nor were they ever meant for us. For example, we try to force or settle for unhappy or toxic relationships, friendships, and situationships with those who don’t deserve our energy, time, or presence. We force jobs or careers we once were excited about because of the exclusive title, great pay, inclusive benefits, or maybe even the relaxed working schedule. Perhaps some don’t have the grand title, salary, or benefits and would like them; instead, they have to settle for something else for now. Some of us settle for or force many other aspects of life when we shouldn’t. We do these things, but in reality, we are beyond unhappy with these situations and even ourselves in some cases. 

Previously, I had found myself dwelling negatively on the current status of my life; relationship status, job, living environment, mental health experiences, lack of motivation within my talents and goals, and everything else. But, if I’m being truthful, I believe it had much to do with my age and feeling too old to accomplish certain things- like birthing children because I’ve always been indecisive or even considering returning to school. I know, it sounds ridiculous because I’m only 30 years old, which is young to most, but it’s old to me- for whatever reason! So, recently, I had to stop for a minute, take a deep breath, and intensely reflect on my life and its present state. I had to reconsider all of the good I’m grateful for now versus the things I have yet to achieve. I had to understand and accept that some things weren’t ready to happen for me at the moment. 

Realizing that it isn’t my time yet in some areas of life is something I’m learning to come to grips with. Sure, it’s hard to accept, but at the same time- it is what it is. Or at least, that is what I try to tell myself to keep my mind off of it. All I can do is continue to aim for success and hope for the best outcome. Everything we think we want or desire is not always meant for us, nor should we force it. The one person we felt we loved for numerous years isn’t always meant for us. However, it is acceptable to love them from a distance. Likewise, the career we once received a degree, diploma, or certificate for is probably not meant for us. Therefore, seeking something else within our current interests would be ideal. It is simply that simple, and that is okay. Change is sometimes inevitable, and until we understand that entirely, we will feel like we’ve failed ourselves. Still, we shouldn’t because we haven’t failed- it just isn’t meant to be yet.

If you’ve recently experienced a bad break-up, heal yourself fully before bringing someone else into your hurt. Love yourself to the fullest and understand your needs and their totality. Know your worth and never allow someone to try to convince you otherwise because you, my friend, are worthy. Your dream significant other you deserve will find you when the timing is right. If that current job with an excellent title, great pay, and benefits isn’t for you, then find something else that better fits your life or personality and leave. Maybe some of us don’t have the grand title, salary, or benefits- be patient, and the desired position you deserve will become available when you’re least expected. No one should ever feel miserable at the workplace, especially when work tends to be a second home to most of us. 

The moral of the story is to refrain from settling or forcing things that don’t suit your current life chapter. Instead, be the best you at all times. Stay positive enough to push yourself towards your goals daily. Don’t settle for or force the things that aren’t meant for you right now. But more importantly, always remember your worth and live a little while doing so!

-Much Love Hooters,

Cherry and the Hoot