Mental Health Awareness Month: Our Staff’s Mental Health Handbook

For Mental Health Awareness Month the team here at Florida Music Therapy compiled a list of ways we all care for our mental health.  Therapists need to care for their mental health too! It is important for us to take care of ourselves in order to provide the best care we can for you!

The Great Outdoors

Rose, Jackie, Ashley, Courtney, Rebecca, and Nicole all reported spending time outside as a way they care for their mental health.  Rose and Rebecca both shared they enjoy going to the beach!  Rose likes to take a walk or just watch the waves while Rebecca uses her beach time to stretch and meditate.  Ashley and Jackie spend their outdoor self care time taking their dogs for walks.  Courtney shared that when she feels her body holding stress, she likes to go outside and look up.  The body position prompts her to breathe and it feels like a “factory reset”.  There is actually a word for this! Skychology is the concept that sky gazing can significantly benefit our mental health through its calming and meditative effect on the mind.  A 2015 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that exposure to more expansive spaces like the sky can lead to a greater sense of well-being and a reduced sense of confinement. Read more about Skychology here!  

It’s also interesting to note that many of these outdoor self-care and mindfulness strategies also include being physically active.  Nicole shared she goes on hikes to care for her mental health and Rose, Rebecca, Jackie and Ashley also included physical activity in their self-care.  

Furry Friends!

Jackie, Ashley, and Sophie all spend time with their pets to care for their mental health.  As already discussed, Jackie and Ashley walk their dogs.  Jackie also shared she looks around for the local neighborhood cats during her walk.  Speaking of cats, Sophie shared “I love to lay down and get cuddles from my cats. Petting them and getting kitty love is the best way to recharge!”.  Research has shown spending time with animals reduces cortisol and increases serotonin! 

Engaging in Hobbies

Engaging in hobbies was another popular self care technique among the team here at Florida Music Therapy.  From crocheting to playing video games, taking time to do something that interests you and you're passionate about is a great way to care for your mental health.  And of course since we are music therapists, we can’t forget about making music for ourselves.  Briley shared that she plays her french horn in the local community orchestra for her self care!

Below are direct quotes from our staff explaining how they care for their mental health:

Nicole:

One of the ways I take care of my mental health is spending time in nature.  Whether it’s going for a hike or sitting on the beach, taking some time to unplug and enjoy nature has been an important form of self care for me and helps me to relax and feel refreshed.  

Rose:

For my mental health, I like to go to the beach and take a walk or just watch the waves! 

Courtney:

When I feel my body holding stress, I go outside and look up.  The body position prompts me to breathe and it feels like a "factory reset."

Jackie:

I love going on walks with my dog, Butter! We both get some fresh air and exercise, and he reminds me to slow down and take my time... because he loves to sniff EVERYTHING! Sometimes I listen to a podcast or my favorite music, but sometimes I will listen to the birds, look around for some neighborhood cats, and enjoy the silence and peace around me. It gives me time to reset and gain composure before, during, and after a long day.

Najette:

I have many different things that I do to wind down after and long day. But my favorite hobby, and the one I have been doing the longest, is crocheting! The project I am currently working on is a cardigan made with a Tunisian crochet needle. I would love to hear what everyone else does for self-care and mindfulness! 

Sophie:

I love to lay down and get cuddles from my cats. Petting them and getting kitty love is the best way to recharge! 

Rebecca:

To take care of my mental health I stretch and meditate on the beach. 

Ashley:

I take my dog (Peach) on long walks around the lake! 

Maddie:

One of the ways I practice self care is through video games. After work, I love to wind down at the end of the day by playing some video games, such as Minecraft!

Briley:

For my self-care, I'm in community orchestra!