May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a national movement designed to fight the stigma, raise awareness, and increase education surrounding mental health. Whether you know someone, are someone, have lost someone, or care for someone with mental illness, you know the reality – millions of Americans battle mental illness every year.
This year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s campaign is centered on the following statement: “You Are Not Alone.” As Christians, we couldn’t agree more. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness, and as Christ-followers, we’re unfortunately not exempt. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. Even the strongest Christians could be fighting their own inner battles against anxiety or depression, struggling to manage their bipolar disorder, or hiding an eating disorder. Fortunately, we’ve got God on our side, reinforcing the simple promise that we’re never alone.
It’s still our responsibility though to fill our hearts and minds with his truth, keeping us rooted in Christ’s promise. Regardless of faith, we know that certain problems are too big to tackle on your own. In these circumstances, we rely on doctors and other mental health professionals – like Faithful Counseling – to step in when it’s needed. But in general, these 3 faith-based strategies will help you start improving your mental health now, regardless of what you’re going through. If you’re currently in treatment for mental illness, these practices will complement the work you’re doing in treatment, as well.
Meditation
When your mind is consumed with anxious thoughts, your depression is spiraling out of control, or you’re simply overwhelmed with stress, click play on a guided Christian meditation. Sometimes we find ourselves in a place we never imagined we’d be, and that can be really scary, especially when we can’t see a way out. While being afraid isn’t necessarily bad, since it can often keep us safe, God doesn’t want us to live in fear.
By following along with guided meditations for bettering your mental health, you’ll be reminded that no matter what you’re going through, God is for you. He walks with you through everything—even the scariest, darkest, or most discouraging paths. With a meditation practice rooted in faith, you’ll learn how to turn your fearful “what ifs” into faith-filled “even ifs”, as you hand it all over to the almighty God.
To start your daily meditation practice, download Abide now and get access to over 2,000+ Christian meditations designed to help you live better.
Guides for Tackling Life’s Challenges
There’s no right way to tackle mental illness. Treatment is often approached from multiple angles – physical, mental, and emotional – and may vary from one person to the next. The most important thing is to just start somewhere. Tell someone. Get help. Do whatever you need to do; just remember you’re not alone. These scary feelings are awful, but they’re not permanent.
And help could just be a few clicks away. Especially, when there are so many resources online to start feeling better today.
These step-by-step guides for navigating life’s toughest challenges, including depression, loneliness, insecurity, anxiety, heartbreak, and more, are a great place to begin your mental health journey. When you’re drowning in overwhelming emotions and feeling hopeless, just take it one step at a time.
For more guides to living well and improving your mental health through faith, download Abide now and get access to hundreds of guides instantly.
Breathing Exercises
Take a deep breath right now. Think about how your body feels as you inhale slowly, then let it out. Deep breathing brings our body back to a place of calm, and it’s a great way to keep your stress levels down and manage your mental health. Whether you’re centering yourself before a big day, struggling with anxiety, or simply looking for hope, deep breathing calms your mind and your body – helping you to relax.
Not only can mindful breathing reduce stress, but it can also lower your heart rate and blood pressure, as well as reduce depression and manage pain. Follow along with these breathing exercises to reduce stress and fall asleep faster.
If you struggle with feelings of anxiety and panic, bookmark this breathing exercise, so you always have it close by. While uncomfortable, these feelings of panic are fleeting. As you listen, present your requests to God – reminding your brain that you’re going to be okay. Hold your breath, filling your belly deep with air, and follow along with this faith-centered exercise for releasing anxiety.
For more content designed to improve your mental health, download Abide now, and join the thousands of users who are living better in Christ’s comfort with Abide.
