Mental Health Awareness Month: Boost your mental health with self-awareness

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode JKO explores the transformative impact of self-awareness on mental health. Tune in for practical strategies to manage stress, enhance emotional regulation, build self-compassion, and live a more fulfilling life. 

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Transcript

Welcome to this episode of Messy Can’t Stop Her. I am your host, Judith Kambia Obatusa – JKO. May is mental health awareness month in Canada and the United States. This month is a time to create awareness about mental health issues and encourage people to show compassion and not discrimination to those living with mental health issues. We have talked a lot about mental health challenges like anxiety and depression on this podcast, but there are still many facets of mental health that we can still learn about. Today, we will be exploring one of those – How self awareness can help us boost our mental health.

Now, before you tune out thinking this is all sunshine and self-help rainbows, please hear me out. Research shows that self-awareness is linked to a toolbox of benefits – better emotional regulation, stronger relationships, and even increased resilience. Basically, self-awareness is the secret weapon that hot messes like us can use to improve and maintain our mental health.

Think about it. Life can be a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts, and experiences. And sometimes, it feels like we're just floating along, trying to keep our heads above water. The whirlwind can leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuck in negative thought patterns, or struggling with emotional responses.

But there is a life jacket available to us all, and this life jacket can help us navigate the choppy waters of our minds? That life jacket is self-awareness.

Self-awareness is like turning on the light in a dark room. It's about understanding who we are, what we feel, and why we react the way we do. And let me tell you, friends, it's a game-changer for our mental health. By being self-aware, we can actually step out of the whirlwind for a sec and take a good, hard look at what's going on. Self-awareness lets you step back and observe what's going on inside. And by understanding yourself better, you can actually start to manage your mental well-being.

Scientifically, self-awareness is a complex cognitive process rooted in the brain's prefrontal cortex, particularly the medial prefrontal cortex. This region plays a critical role in self-reflection, introspection, and understanding our own thoughts and emotions. It is also the part of your brain responsible for decision-making and emotional control. When you're self-aware, it's like giving your brain an upgrade.

I will be the first to admit that I haven't always been the most self-aware person. I used to go through life on autopilot, reacting to situations without stopping to think about why I was feeling the way I did. And let me tell you, it wasn't a recipe for happiness.

One day, I heard a message like this, and something clicked. I realized that I had the power to change my perspective, to dig deep and uncover the roots of my emotions. And my sisters, it was like discovering a superpower I never knew I had.

You see, when we're self-aware, we're able to recognize our triggers, our patterns, and our limitations. We can identify the thoughts that drag us down and replace them with ones that lift us up. We can take ownership of our feelings and choices, rather than being at the mercy of them.

Science shows that recognizing our triggers – those situations or people that push our buttons – is key to managing stress. Various studies have shown that individuals who possess higher levels of self-awareness tend to experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. By being attuned to their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, they're better equipped to navigate life's challenges with resilience and adaptability. People high in self-awareness are better at identifying their emotional triggers and taking steps to avoid them.

So, my sisters, what are your triggers? Is it a looming deadline that sends you into a panic spiral? Or maybe it's social gatherings that drain your energy faster than a rogue phone charger. Once you identify your triggers, you can actually start to manage them. If deadlines are the problem, you can try setting more realistic goals, utilizing to-do lists or delegating tasks (yes, delegation is a superpower!) 

Self-awareness also helps us understand our emotional patterns. Do you tend to bottle things up until you explode like a shaken soda can? Or maybe you wear your heart on your sleeve, which can sometimes lead to saying things you regret later. Research shows emotional regulation is a key component of mental health. So, by being self aware you will be able to recognize these tendencies, and take ownership of your reactions. In addition, you can learn to communicate your needs calmly or develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with frustration.

Self-Awareness Is not About Being Perfect (Spoiler Alert: There's No Such Thing!). Now, here's the messy truth: self-awareness isn't about becoming some kind of emotionless robot (although that might be handy sometimes, am I right?). It's about accepting yourself, flaws and all. It's about understanding your strengths and weaknesses, your quirks and your passions.

Another benefit of self-awareness is that it allows us to cultivate a sense of compassion for ourselves. When we are self aware, we realize that we're not perfect, that we're bound to stumble and fall along the way. And that's okay. Because in those moments of vulnerability, we learn and we grow.

To remind us of the importance of compassion for self and others, this year’s Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week which took place from May 6-12 was ‘A Call to Be Kind Because Compassion Connects us all.’

So, how can we cultivate self-awareness and improve our mental health? For us women especially, who often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, prioritizing self-awareness is essential for overall well-being.

If you have been listening to this podcast for a while, these suggestions may be familiar, but that goes to show how useful and important these strategies are. Firstly, mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and body scans can help you become more attuned to your thoughts and emotions. By carving out dedicated time for self-reflection, you can strengthen the neural pathways associated with self-awareness.

Secondly, journaling can be a powerful tool for self-discovery. Writing freely about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can provide invaluable insights into your inner world, facilitating greater self-awareness and emotional regulation.

And lastly, seeking support from trusted friends, family members, or mental health professionals can offer perspective and guidance on the journey of self-awareness. Building a supportive network of individuals who validate and encourage personal growth is essential for maintaining mental well-being.

My sisters, self-awareness is not just a philosophical concept that you hear in yoga or a self-help mumbo-jumbo, it is a tangible skill that can be cultivated through practice and intention. It is about becoming more powerful. It's about taking control of the life that you have, no matter how challenging it may be. By embracing self-awareness, women can empower themselves to lead more fulfilling, authentic lives.

My sisters, this mental health awareness month, I encourage you to embrace self-awareness. Take the time to check in with yourself, to explore the depths of your mind and heart. When you do this, messy won’t stop you. Thank you so much for listening, see you next time,