Ways to Spread LOVE, Care, Connection - during Mental Health Awareness Month in May

May is Mental Health Awareness Month - the Struggle

For many, the struggle with mental illness is a silent and lonely battle.  More often, they are afraid to be treated differently or fears of losing their jobs and livelihood, that leads to more harm.  It doesn't help that the current health insurance does not adequately cover mental illness treatment.

Show Understanding, Care, Compassion and Connection 

Love Is Project’s core values are love and human connection, which is why this Mental Illness Awareness Month, we want to shed light on this important issue and offer ways to show yourself and others LOVE.

How to Show Yourself LOVE with Self Care

No matter how long or to what extent you’ve been suffering from mental illness, it is so important to practice self care and show yourself compassion. Since 2015, the number of Google searches for the term “self care” has doubled!

Self care can improve your emotional health and physical health. It can prevent burnout, increase self-esteem, provide an overall feeling of wellbeing.

More Self care can be as basic as allowing yourself the time to drink a cup of tea in the morning, or something more elaborate, like taking a few days off work to go on a vacation.

There are so many ways to practice self care, so we’ve put together a small list to inspire you:

• Go on a walk or run outside. The fresh air will help you clear your mind, and the endorphins from exercising will boost your mood.
• Take a hot bath with lots of bubbles. This will trigger relaxation and decrease your stress levels.
• Cook yourself a hearty, healthy meal. Focusing on preparing food for yourself can be a welcome distraction, and your body will thank you for the nutrients.
• Do something artistic. Having a creative outlet has been proven to reduce stress, and focusing on a project is a great way to feel productive and joyful. 
• Play with a dog or cat. Playing with our pets is a great way to lower cortisol levels in our bodies, and it can be a good workout for us, too!
• Gardening and tending to your plants can calm your anxiety level, watching your plant grow therapeutic. 
• Engage in some retail therapy. As long as you’re not spending too much, it’s okay to give yourself a gift! Maybethat bracelet from Love Is Project that you’ve been eyeing?

Even though many people think that they don’t have time for self care, there are so many quick ways to do something small for yourself. The benefits are certainly worth it. Have a favorite type of self care? Let us know in the comments!

How to Show Other People LOVE

The best way to support someone’s struggle with mental illness is to show them that you’re there for them, and that you care. Even doing something as small as giving someone a call, going for a walk together, or sending them one of ourOriginal LOVE bracelets can make a huge difference.

Our LOVE bracelets serve as a reminder to love and to be loved, which is perfect for showing your support during Mental Health Month. 

The mental health awareness color is green! If you’re looking to show your support for those struggling with mental health, we have lots of bracelets for you to choose from.  Show them that they are not Alone.

There’s agreen bead LOVE bracelet with blessings from Bali.

With our new emerald green Empower LOVE bracelet in green, engrave a personal message for your friend, it's comforting to know you care and understands them. Especially engraving is free for this month, a value of $15 saved. 

Find a Bali friendship bracelet of her favorite colors or elements Air, Fire, Earth and Water, so that you can match with your bestie and bond with her elements. 

Or, send a friend a pack of ourSpread the Love Cards, guaranteed to put a smile on their face!  In this still isolated world of pandemic, giving love and spreading love will get more LOVE.

This mental health month, discover what you can do for yourself and others.

Connect. Care. Communicate.

And remember that just because mental health month is in May, doesn’t mean that kindness and mental health awareness can’t be year-round.

Resources for Mental Health:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): call 800-950-6264 or text “NAMI” to 741741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Mental Health America