Let's talk about it.
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| | | | Before I started therapy 5 years ago, I felt broken, lost, and confused. I didn't know how to cope with anything and constantly spammed my friends and family with calls for help to calm me down. Needless to say, I definitely needed help, and I'm endlessly grateful that I sought it out. | | I still have a long way to go, and I don't think my "healing journey" will ever be over. But with the help of an incredible therapist, years of developing self-awareness, and a growing toolbox of coping skills (some of which I'll share below), I finally feel like I can manage my mental health better than ever before. | | | | Take care,
Morgan Mandriota,
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
May 31, 2024 • 4.5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | You, me, and mental health | | No one in my family went to therapy —– we just suppressed our feelings until they came out in other ways, like yelling at each other or misusing substances. Until 5 years ago, my version of self-care consisted of drinking with friends until I felt numb, eating a stomach-ache-inducing amount of comfort food, and sleeping in as late as I could. I didn't know the first thing about therapy —– if my insurance plan covered it, how much it could cost out-of-pocket, or what types of options existed. But I knew I was unhappy, unwell, and in need of help.️ | | After researching and contacting providers for what felt like forever, I finally booked my first session with a therapist in December 2019. I've been in therapy consistently ever since, and I never could've predicted how much I'd benefit from it. ️️ | | I've learned so much about how my brain works, how to better navigate the world around me, and mental health in general. Perhaps the biggest win of all is that I learned I'm autistic, which gave me a brand new perspective and understanding of my life. Turns out I wasn't broken after all — I was simply undiagnosed for 30 years, trying the best I could with no tools or knowledge that I needed to survive (let alone thrive).️ | | I've also developed healthier coping skills and self-care strategies that *actually* help me recharge and recover. Nowadays, that list looks like: ️ | | Here's how to tap into your senses to get the most out of the experience:️ | - saying "no" to invitations I don't want to accept
- setting boundaries with people who drain my energy
- continuing therapy on a weekly or biweekly basis
- speaking up for myself when I feel wronged or upset
- advocating for my needs with friends, family, and at work
- continually educating myself about autism and mental health
- putting on noise-canceling headphones at home or in public
- speaking more gently to and about myself (no more self-deprecating jokes!)
- not drinking alcohol, consuming cannabis, or eating foods that make me feel bad
If you're thinking about starting therapy, I highly recommend you look into it. There are plenty of low cost (or free!) services out there. And if you think it's too late, I kindly disagree. It's always a good time to start improving your well-being or working on your goals with professional support. | | Just want to learn more about mental health? I've compiled this list of some of my favorite Healthline resources for you to check out below:️ | | I hope these help. Happy Mental Health Awareness Month, friends. Take the time to do something today that restores your energy and brings a smile to your face. You deserve it. | | Over to you: Which self-care strategies help you the most? Share with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may feature your name and response in an upcoming newsletter.) | | | | | | |
| | | | The biggest blanket ever | | | | | | |  | | Big Blanket Co. Original Stretch Blanket | | If you love cuddling up in a blanket burrito, then you'll want to check out Big Blanket Co. This company literally makes the biggest blanket known to mankind. I have this one, and it's super soft, massive (100-square-foot!), and great for snuggling with my partner with plenty of coverage left to spare. Fair warning, though: You might get lost in it when alone. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading! Before you go, enjoy this response to our recent coffee newsletter from reader George M.:
"I live in Portugal. People do not get coffee to go. Coffee is drunk in the place where you order it. People don't walk down the street carrying a to-go cup of coffee. So lids aren't available. Even paper cups aren't available. The reason for this is that espresso is a one or two-sip thing. It is drunk in less than a minute, so why would you get it to go? (We also don't have any drive-thru coffee places). And if you get a larger coffee, like a galao, which is with milk, the purpose is to sit and talk to a friend. This is normally what seniors (retired people) do. They look forward to this way of connecting with other friends at the cafe in the morning as it is sometimes the only time they get out of the house."
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