Taking Pride in Your Own Self-Care

In recent years, mental health has finally been getting the recognition it deserves. While the stigma is not erased entirely, we are closer to viewing psychological treatment as no different than seeing a doctor for an ear infection or an ankle injury. In other words, we are headed in the right direction.

This new and improved attitude of acceptance is extraordinarily important for the LGBTQ+ community, a community where mental health struggles can be particularly potent (add in a global pandemic to boot). It allows people the freedom to focus on their mental health, checking shame at the door as they walk through their fears with courage and into a world of wellbeing.

Yet even with this newfound acceptance, getting started can be a challenge, especially for those who have been told that self-care is selfish. But it is not as hard as you might think.

It’s natural to assume that mental health care, be it therapy, attending a support group, or going on a nature walk, is reserved for those in crisis or those suffering from a mental illness or disorder. But proactive mental wellness is just as important as fixing an active problem. Therapy can simply provide a safe place for you to talk to someone (a professional) confidentially, who can “see you.” Talking is healing. Preventative care, both physical and mental, helps stop problems before they start.

Parting is such sweet sorrow…. but not always (no offense to Shakespeare). Any relationship that is unsupportive, disparaging, or downright toxic is one that does your mental wellness no favors. Being gaslit is a modern form of abuse. Being gaslit for a prolonged period of time will literally rewire your brain, and breed toxicity in your self-esteem. Do yourself one and bid it goodbye.

Engaging in me-time is kind of like filling your car up with gas: It allows you to get to your next destination. Some people meditate, get a massage, hike through the mountains, engage in physical movement, go out with friends, or take a bath while burning incense. Laughter (or lunges or lavender oil) is the best medicine.

One of the reasons emotional wellbeing is so important in the LGBTQ+ community is because of the shame many people feel as a result of society’s unfounded judgments. Fortunately, shame is like a Gremlin from the awesome 1980s movies: When it is brought into the light, it melts away….and scene!

Body-related mental health struggles (such as eating disorders or body dysmorphic disorder) are often more prominent in the LGBTQ+ community than they are the general public. While there is no smoking gun as to why this is the case, research suggests that internalized negative messages, discrimination, living in fear, and stress can each play a role. And that makes body-positivity positively vital! How this looks – practicing self-affirming mantras, thanking your body for all it does, seeing what happens when you microwave your scale – is up to you! The most important thing is to begin your journey of self-love. You owe it to yourself because you are worth it.

The above tips can get you started or perhaps your version of self-care looks different. How you engage in your own wellbeing is not important; engaging at all is what counts!