According to the WHO, women are more likely than men to experience women`s mental health problems such as depression, eating disorders, and panic disorders but knowing how to take care of their mental health is also important.
To honour Mental Health Awareness Month, six Women shared how they take care of their mental health.
Ijeoma, 27
I believe in taking breaks because it’s so easy to get overwhelmed with work and life. So when I’m starting to feel like I’m no longer in control, I just try to take a break. It could be going offline for a day or a few days but I can’t stay too long because my work is online. Or I try to go to places that me joy like the beach or a resort. If that isn’t available, I just take a long nap because I can’t kill myself.
Folake,22
I take care of my mental health by knowing what I take in; I avoid negative news or stories. If something triggering is trending online, I just go off and watch comedy shows or maybe do other things that would distract me. If I am getting too drained at work, I try to ask for a little time off but I ensure that I have no pending tasks left. I also like some alone time for peace and tranquillity.
Chinwe, 33
One way of looking out for my mental state is making sure I have someone to talk to and I am glad my girlfriends will readily give me a listening ear. They are my true support system and we look out for each other, we try to plan trips or at least hangouts where we will just chill and talk to ourselves about what is bothering us, I have learnt that some of your problems can be solved by just talking about it, it might not provide a solution but you will feel lighter.
Olamide, 27
We live in a fast world and my job is a true definition of a “fast-paced environment” so it is easy to get lost, I take relaxation pills (if you know what I mean), I also enjoy swimming that relaxes me and if I am lucky I get to do both at a time. Most importantly, I try to avoid people that stress me and make me talk too much, if I notice any hint of stress, blocking straight.
Ella, 31
I try to gym a lot, and working out relaxes me- when I’m angry or when I’m stressed I go to the gym, I have also been trying out yoga and meditation although there’s not a lot of physical activity in Yoga but it is relaxing. Then I do things that spark joy for me, reading a new book, scented candles, shopping, and maybe trying out new restaurants once in a while.
Fisayo, 25
I don’t know how I take care of my mental health but I know that I avoid situations and people that don’t serve me. I am also learning to be kind to myself because it is easy to feel like you are failing in life so being kind to myself helps me with clarity. I do things that make me laugh and make me feel warm but I especially know how to walk away from things that don’t make me feel like myself.
