Week 1 – Nature
May is Mental Health Month, a time of year, those touched by mental illness acknowledge the work done to recover.
Together we pray for those people who are not yet at the stage they want to be. We honor all of the people who have supported us along the way.
We celebrate that with dogged consumer advocacy, all of us with lived experience have made much progress in raising awareness and busting the pervasive stigmas surrounding mental illnesses.
Even with all of the supports, I’m blessed to have around me, I sometimes wonder, “How have I managed to be in sustained recovery for over 18 years?”
In the writings, I’ve shared with you, and the people I’ve met as a mental health speaker, I’ve revealed some of the strategies I can point to such as positive affirmations, faith in God, exercise, sleep, nutrition, courage, and perseverance.
The Beauty of Nature and the Role of Beauty in Happiness
Throughout this past winter, I’ve also realized one more thing: The beauty of nature. May is a perfect time to remember the role of beauty itself in the happiness we all seek, but especially for those of us who work so hard to recover from depression and anxiety.
When winter first sets in, the holidays bring beauty in very obvious ways: lights, decorations, the faces of children who wonder what the season will bring.
Then Mother Nature serves up months of views that are grays, browns, quiet greens on pine trees and every now and then, the red of a cardinal or a woodpecker. Throughout this time, depression can take hold of many of us. For me, those months are times when I focus on getting light, being with friends and getting the rest I need.
By May, many of us just want to see something brilliantly beautiful. If we pay attention, we can accept the gift of beauty as an integral part of recovery, wellness, and peace. I’ve realized that I can add looking for beauty to the set of things I actively do to relieve anxiety. Remain in the moment and remember that I don’t need to stay in the dark. In light, I can see beauty anywhere I seek it.
The Darkness Relents with the Onset of Spring
Spring begins in March with the Vernal Equinox. As the days get longer, we have more time to see the beauty in nature. All around us, things start to shift – colors, scents, and sounds – and we realize that darkness will relent.
For those who struggle with anxiety and depression, May is the perfect opportunity to dwell in beauty and hope.
I’ll share more about how the beauty of nature is an important support for me. Take a moment as you acknowledge Mental Health Month to look around you. Look for beauty and let it ease your mind.
About the Author
Carol A. Kivler is a nationally recognized mental health speaker, international executive coach/trainer, and author. Most importantly, she is a passionate consumer advocate for mental health. Carol is available for speaking engagements in the U.S and internationally. Email or call Carol at (609) 882-8988.
