Mental Health Check-In

By: Tara Kong, MS, NCC, LPC- Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, LPC-S Do you ever check in on your mental health? Being a mental health professional means I spend a lot of time thinking about mental health and trying to ensure that I am always at my best. Like many others, sometimes I can get in a funk, and it can be hard to get out of that. Life can be busy and overwhelming at times. It can be hard to know what exactly to do when you don’t feel at your best. Here are some tips you can do to check in with yourself and do mental health check-ins. These techniques can help you get to the root of the issue and see what is really going on. Just as we make time for those we care about, it is equally important to make time for ourselves. After trying this for the first time, try to make it a habit to approach it on a daily basis. Even if it is set aside just a few minutes, it can be beneficial to make this a daily practice.

Ways to have a Mental Health Check-In

Humans are creatures of habit, and the good thing about habits is that they help us make changes to our lives. This can look however you want it to look. It may be having some coffee in your favorite mug, taking a walk with your dog, or taking time to just sit outside and enjoy a nice day. Taking time for these moments allows you to focus and tell yourself it is time for a check-in.

Question Yourself

Doing a self-check-in means asking yourself pertinent questions. Here are a few examples: How am I doing right now? What am I feeling at this moment? Have I been feeling anything uncomfortable lately? What makes me happy? What has made me sad? Has anything been irritating me or making me angry recently? Is there something I need to change now? What do I need to make more of a priority? Am I in pain right now? What do I want to be doing with my time?

Talk with a Trusted Friend or Family Member

Doing a mental health check-in does not mean you need to do it alone. It can be helpful to involve someone you love and trust in the process. At times talking it out can really help you understand what you are feeling and why. Sometimes the answer is staring us right in the face, and another person can help us see what’s going on by adding an additional perspective. Having a trusted person ask probing questions can also be useful when having a discussion.

Practice Gratitude Often 

Negative details tend to stick in our heads more than positive ones. When you are finding it hard to focus on the good in life, try to think of some things you are grateful for. These can be as small as being thankful for a compliment from someone, spending time with someone you love, or getting to enjoy a favorite treat. This allows you to see the good when it feels like there is a lot of negative activity surrounding you.

Remember Your Values

Sometimes people can feel like they don’t know who they are or what their purpose is in life. If you struggle with self-doubt or feel like you’re lost, remembering your values is a great way to lessen the feeling of darkness around you that you may be feeling. Ask yourself: What means the most to me? What am I passionate about? Our values help make us who we are and provide direction in our lives. Finding ways to live out your values can help you feel more fulfilled or find meaning in your life.

Practice Self-care

After completing your mental health check-in, it is essential to indulge in some self-care. You may be feeling vulnerable after this exercise, so be sure to treat yourself with kindness and make a plan for how to move forward. Here are a few ideas to get started: take a shower or enjoy a warm bubble bath, go for a jog or walk outside, call a loved one and talk about what you’ve learned, or treat yourself to s special treat like going for a coffee at your favorite place, make an appointment to see a therapist, watch a television show that interests you, and make a plan to put action to your goal. Think of small ways you can challenge yourself to start making your way to your goal.

Start Your Mental Health Check-In Today In Katy, TX!

If you are ready to check-in on your mental health, one of the therapists at The Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide mental health counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:

• Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more information
• Meet with one of our compassionate therapists
• Find ways to thrive through therapy today!

Other Therapy Services We Offer: 

Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men's issues, women's issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!