 Since May is Mental Health Awareness month and AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage month, we will combine the two and talk about Asian American mental health.
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Did you know if you experienced or saw violence, abuse, or trauma as a child, it can…
 I was talking recently with a fellow mental health advocate about hesitation. She mentioned a situation where she hesitated before giving an answer. She later discovered her hesitation was a nonverbal indicator to her body saying no.
Trigger Warning: Suicide, Suicidal Ideation
💚 I was 22 when suicidal thoughts again plagued my mind. I didn’t want to live anymore. The emotional rollercoaster was too much. I felt hysterical and inconsolable. I just wanted the nightmare to end. Darkness was closing in fast…and it seemed there was no light at the end of the tunnel.  A key component to healing is validation. When someone confirms you have indeed experienced pain, a sense of relief comes over the body. It helps you feel listened to and cared for.
 When we have peace in our lives, we experience mental and physical rest, which is needed to recharge ourselves.
🌻 Many times, when there is turmoil in our lives, our bodies respond accordingly. It may result in anxiety, stomachaches, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, fast heart beats, sweating, depression, etc.  Healing comes when we know and speak the truth.
🔸 Those of us who have experienced trauma or abuse may have learned to downplay the seriousness of what happened to us. Some of us may have forgotten it, denied it, minimized it, rationalized it, laughed it off, etc. Essentially, we've found a way to cope while going through it. This is normal. It's the body's protective mechanism to help us to survive the incident(s) until it was safe to deal with it. God created this protective mechanism in our brain to keep us alive.  Having healthy boundaries are necessary for our mental wellbeing. When we don't set healthy boundaries, we mentally suffer.
🌺 Some of us might be frustrated with ourselves for not being strong enough to stand up for ourselves. It is much easier to stand for up for others than for ourselves. Be patient with yourself and keep practicing.  God never intended for only a few people to do all the work in the church. This leads to burn out. Everyone has work to do in keeping the church running smoothly.
 Lately, God has been showing me how to distinguish godly people from ungodly people and who should and should not be a part of my Inner Circle. He has also been teaching me the importance of boundaries in relationships.
I made this illustration to help explain what God has been teaching me, which I recently shared with a women's prayer meeting. Let's briefly go through each circle. |
AuthorJourney to Wholeness is a blog written by Lillian Simon (except where indicated). She is a Christian who wears many hats, including being a nurse, health coach, mentor, writer, editor, and graphic designer. She is passionate about sharing health information to inspire others to find practical and natural ways to heal their body, soul, and spirit. Archives
June 2022
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