July 6, 2020

Maintaining Mental Health During Challenging Times

CBMHS is a program of Classis New Brunswick CDC, doing business as Churches Improving Communities, a 501c3 non-

profit community development corporation (tax ID: 45-2053473). All programs are non-discriminatory and open to the pub-

lic. Learn more at ImprovingNJ.org.

CBMHS WEEKLY REFLECTION

Tips for self-care/mental wellness Journal: Writing down your thoughts and experiences helps you process and unload in times of stress; journaling helps to reduce negative thoughts. Use a notebook or try some digital journaling apps. Take a personal day: take the time to unplug, go offline and spend time with family or take the day just for yourself Frequent self check-ins: from time to time assess how you are doing, how you are feeling. Sleep: one of the most neglected self-care activities. Start a bedtime routine that helps reduce stress/anxiety so you are able to fall asleep easily.

Reset your goals Refresh: Re-read previous goals and determine which ones you are able to pursue. Adjust: Update goals you are pursuing to reflect current reality and circumstances Evaluate: Take time to look at your current situation and determine what actions are working and which ones are not Plan: Write down small steps to take you towards your goals Act: Carry out your plan, change your habits and head toward your new goals one step at a time

Refocus your routine Take time to move: Walking, jogging, dancing – something to get you on your feet to shake or sweat off any negativity Intentional media: Adding positive media like books or a podcast to your routine can help keep you a productive track Your health first: Prioritizing personal health will help you feel physically and mental-ly stronger Accountability is key: If you have a friend who wants to also kick some old habits or restart their routine, connect with them and take the reset together From www.KarenADavis.com 2020 Buffini & Company

Dear Friends, Re-adjusting our lives to a new era of Covid-19 life has brought new and different experi-

ences for us. Life happens and we do not always have control over what happens to us however, we do

have power over how we want to feel. During these challenging times we might experience feelings of

stress/anxiety. Maybe it is time to consider a reset; Refresh goals previously set. Refocus your routine;

re-examine your routine every now and then, making small changes to help make the most of your day.

Re-center; starting with your own self-care/mental wellness; self-care/wellness is important and should

not be neglected. When we take time for our own self-care/mental wellness we have more energy to

support those around us. Sometimes obstacles are what we see when we take our eyes off our goals.

Re-adjusting our lives every now and then helps us keep the focus on achieving our goals.

RENEW

Rekindle the flame

Empty myself

Notice what GOD says

Enter into GOD’s presence

Worship

Adapted from underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com

The CBMHS Warm Line is open and anyone can call: If you are experiencing emotional stress, side effects of the

COVID19 pandemic and shelter-in-place order, or from cur-rent events, or other issues, reach out. Call Monday through Friday between 10am and 4pm and a licensed counselor will

call you back within 24 hours! Call the Warmline to speak to a professional counselor who will listen and provide useful

guidance to help you feel better. Receive information about resources and social services needs including depression, grief, anger, parenting support, substance abuse, shelter

needs, and more. Request that an outreach call be made to someone who is isolated, lonely, or may not reach out on

their own. But remember that the Warm Line is not a crisis hotline— If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or go to

the nearest emergency room. Middlesex, Somerset & Union County: (732) 867-8647

Monmouth & Ocean County: (732) 784-3394