The new year is all about making resolutions to become better versions of ourselves. A top the list is eating better or exercising more. However, we tend to focus so much on our bodies that we forget to focus on our minds.
Self-care and mental health care is key to our overall well being.
Miss United States 2018, Andromeda Peters is a therapist at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington in Washington, DC with a focus in mindfulness. Her wellness journey with positive self-talk, mindfulness not only helped land her the Miss United States crown but also provided her with a framework to assist clients in their healing as a therapist.
Andromeda's platform as Miss United States is Mental Health Awareness. She says it’s time to ditch the negative taboo surrounding mental health and take care of our minds just like we take care of our bodies.
She follows the acronym SAM
S - Support
“Everyone needs support. You can find it in many different ways – talking to a therapist, joining a support group, getting involved in social groups or volunteering. Just being around people that have your best interest”
A – Aromatherapy
Andromeda says making your home or office smell good is one way to help relieve stress. Aromatherapy can also keep you calm or energize you. They are natural and non-toxic. You can take them with you wherever you go. Andromeda says aromatherapy has compounds that affect the brain.
M – Mindfullness
It’s all about giving your mind a quiet space. Peters recommends deep gut breathing. “ I like to do the Triple-4 breathing. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4. A simple exercise like that can calm you.Andromeda also recommends meditation, specifically guided meditation. “I like to do it before bed. You can look up meditation videos on YouTube or great apps to use are Headspace and Mindfulness.”