Real Talk: Mental Health edition

Prioritizing myself and doing more self-care

Northern Arizona University
4 min readMay 25, 2021

Mental Health = Health

A Q&A with Lumberjack Karringtan Bell

What do you think of when you think of mental health?

Until recently, I didn't think that anything outside of major mental health disorders really qualifies as having mental health issues.

This past year I have learned a lot about my mental health and how to keep my mind and emotions leveled.

For me, practicing good mental health is replenishing your mind with good energy.

How has your view of mental health changed since college, living through a pandemic, and being in grad school?

Honestly, before the pandemic, I never really took my mental health into consideration. I kind of just rolled with the punches and dealt with the consequences later.

2020 was a crazy year for me, not just because of the pandemic but also from the issues regarding police brutality against the black and brown community.

As a black woman, this definitely took a toll on me. At that time, it seemed like there was no end. Everything was just getting worse. I knew something had to change because for about 2 months, I had this feeling of dread and hopelessness hanging over me.

The first thing I did to get out of the funk I was in was I stopped looking at social media. It got to the point where everything I was seeing was negative — so that had to go!

I started working out more. I tried a bunch of online workouts like yoga and kickboxing. I also started painting again; it was great being able to get back into that — it’s one of my more relaxing activities.

I took this time to find out what I like and what makes me happy and gradually started to feel better. Incorporating these practices into my life consistently has really helped me through grad school.

Getting my post-grad degree has not been easy. I have definitely had to keep my stress and anxiety levels in check.

What do you prioritize now that you didn’t so much in the past?

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I’m prioritizing myself now and doing more self-care activities. I've realized that I need to be good first before I can be good to anyone else. I do think that self-care and mental health go hand in hand. The great thing about it is that self-care can come in so many forms.

Saying “no” to people sometimes is honestly the best form of self-care 🙃

Another thing I like to focus on is skincare. I love giving myself facials! Whatever you enjoy, make time in your schedule to do them.

What do you think we can do better to support each other/prioritize mental health?

I think we need to start having conversations with our families and friends about the real consequences that come with not dealing with mental health issues.

I also think we should stop categorizing health as just something that has to do with weight loss. Recognizing that the mind and body are one and the same and investing in your mental health can also benefit your physical health.

What would you say to an underclassman who was struggling?

For students struggling with mental health issues, it’s ok you're not alone💙💛 When it comes to mental health, having a strong support system can be quite beneficial. It’s ok to share your feelings and frustrations with others — whether friends, family, co-workers or whoever you're comfortable with.

Remembering to take care of yourself is a must. Understanding how stress affects you, protecting your physical health, and practicing good mental habits are fundamental methods to help your mental health and improve overall wellness.

One podcast I like to listen to that might help I’m feeling down ⬇️

This podcast shares knowledge and experiences that allow women to level up and constantly become a higher version of themselves.

Also, check out our latest LumberChats podcast with Carla and Maria who share their struggles of living with anxiety.

Remember, you are not alone! Don’t be afraid to share your stories and experiences. You never know who might be listening and need to hear those words!

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Northern Arizona University

It’s always a great day to be a Lumberjack! Join the conversation and share your #NAU story.