Seedling mentors are the best at supporting their mentees.  Even with your own life commitments of family, friends, career and school, you find time to make sure your mentee feels supported.  Do not forget that it’s equally as important to prioritize your own mental health! To prevent extra stress from getting you down, take time now to check in with yourself and assess your wellbeing. 

• Are you eating a healthy, balanced diet, getting enough sleep and exercise, and creating healthy habits to look after your physical health? Taking good care of our basic physical needs is the essential foundation for all aspects of wellness.
• Are you feeling positive about yourself and others? Your emotional wellbeing can be one of the most important aspects of self-care. It is focused on how you are feeling within yourself and how you cope with everyday life.  Cultivating a “silver lining” approach to your day can help you overcome difficulties and remain optimistic in challenging times.  
• Are you involved in something that brings you joy? Engaging in hobbies and interests throughout adulthood is essential for happiness. These types of activities flood our brains with happy hormones and neurotransmitters, and help to enhance our intelligence, skill and emotional capabilities.
• Are you connected? Humans are social animals who need connection with others. Isolation can be detrimental to us physically and emotionally. Positive relationships with other people can bring us great joy, a sense of safety and value, and can provide support when times get difficult.

If after your self-assessment, you find you need to pay a little more attention to taking care of yourself, check out these Fun and Calming Activities to Relieve Stress. 

Sources:

• Ariane Resnick, CNC, “What is Emotional Wellness”, Verywell Mind 2021