Hello everyone,

With so much information flooding us at every turn, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or confused or even yelled at.

Many media sources urge you to take care of yourself by not touching your face or washing your hands (which are excellent suggestions) but what about your mental health? How do we care for that when we face a real threat?

The answer isn’t always so straight forward.

My name is Jessica, and I’m one of the mental health counselors at Associates of Integrative Medicine. I specialize in crisis, anxiety, stress, trauma, grief and loss associated with a cancer diagnosis.

As we all settle in and shelter at home, my hope is to share strategies for managing your emotions.

To get the support you need, call me or send me an email (269-808-6422; jessica@aimnatural.com).

Even if it’s for a few minutes, I am here for you to discuss any concerns you may have or help you find the right strategies to improve your mood.

Dr. Roy is waiving copays for the time being as a gesture to you all, so there is NO cost to you to pick up the phone and get the help you need.

So, how do we begin to care for ourselves mentally/emotionally? The first step to caring for your mental health is identifying what you are feeling. Much like any health issue, how can you fix it if you don’t know what’s wrong? As many of us are experiencing more stress than usual in today’s climate, I want to share some tips for identifying stress in yourself.

Here are some common signs of stress you may be experiencing:
1. You’re easily irritated or quick to snap on those you love.
2. You’re struggling to find the motivation to keep up with everyday tasks.
3. You’re experiencing headaches, stomach aches, or body aches.
4. You feel tightness or tension in your muscles.
5. You feel exhausted all the time.
6. You feel like you are working hard all the time, but not making any progress.
7. There is so much to do, but you’re having a hard time deciding what to do first.
8. You are having trouble sleeping.
9. You aren’t putting effort into your physical appearance or taking care of yourself.
10. You have worrisome, racing thoughts.

If any of these sound like you, remember you are not alone. Take a moment to breathe, pause, reflect, and get in touch with yourself and the emotions you are feeling. Call a friend, read that book you’ve had on your shelf for months, clean out your junk drawer, go for a walk, or reach out to a professional like myself to talk it out.

Call or email me directly to set up a time for us to talk. I am here to support you no matter where you are at emotionally.

Until we speak, be well.

Jessica Blodgett

Email: jessica@aimnatural.com
Cell: (269) 808-6422
Office tel: (248) 798-2942