Despite the ongoing efforts, there is still a strong stigma around mental health. Stigma arises from a lack of understanding of mental illness (ignorance and misinformation), and also because some people have negative beliefs and attitudes towards it. This can lead to discrimination against people with mental illness. Today, numerous celebrities are sharing their stories with mental illness to help tackle the stigma. Here is proof that mental illness can affect anyone. 

Demi Lovato has been a public figure and performer since her teenage years. In 2010, Lovato opened up about her struggles with bullying, addiction, self harm, depression, and an eating disorder. Lovato sought treatment for addiction and eating disorder and learned of a new diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. 

Lovato has since learned coping skills and new ways to manage her emotions. She is actively tackling the stigma around mental illness with television interviews, social media posts, and being the celebrity spokesperson for Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health Campaign. 

Chrissy Teigen is the wife of music artist John Legend, model, successful cookbook author and a television host. In 2017, Teigen opened up about her struggle with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter Luna. Teigen explains Luna was perfect, "Luna is exactly me, exactly John, and exactly herself. I adore her". Teigen explains she had everything she needed to be happy but she for roughly a year she was depressed. 

Chrissy Teigen emphasized the importance of speaking up about her postpartum depression. Teigen drove home the idea that it can happen to anybody and there is no reason to feel embarrassed, shame, or alone. 

When most people think of rappers, they view them as bold, elaborate, strong, and fierce. However, even the toughest people can be affected by mental illness. Well known rapper, Kendrick Lamar, has endured severe depression and suicidal thoughts. In his album To Pimp a Butterfly, Lamar reveals to his supports and fans his on going battle with depression.  Lamar also describes he struggled with survivors guilt after losing one of his closest friends. 

Kendrick Lamar continues to write and produce music around his mental health struggles and wants to emphasize to the world that it can happy to anyone and it is important to recognize it and seek help.

Seven time Olympic medalist and sexual abuse surviver, Simon Biles, shared her mental health struggles after the Tokyo Olympic games. During the olympics, Simon Biles endured mental health struggles during the games regarding the sexual abuse investigation of former USA Gymnastics team, Larry Nassar. In addition,  Biles also endured an unexpected loss of a family member during the Tokyo Olympics.

Simon continues to discuss her struggles with anxiety and therapy. Biles shares her vulnerable, raw mental health quotes to break the stigma, such as "Your anxiety is lying to you". Simon is on anxiety medication and discusses her struggle with finding what works for her. 

Lady Gaga is a well know music artist and actress however, some may not know she is a victim and survivor of rape. In 2014, Gaga admitted when she was 19 years old, she was a victim of rape. Gaga spoke openly in December 2016 about her struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Gage explained she wanted to use her platform to emphasize that others are not alone 

Jim Carrey is a successful actor, who has spent decade entertaining the public. Jim Carrey often portrays a funny, bright character in his movies. It could be hard to imagine someone we appears so lively on television could be struggling with mental illness. Jim Carrey has admitted his struggle with depression and his use of anti-depressants. Carrey emphasizes he manages his struggles through healthy lifestyle choice. Carrey encourages others to be in-touch with their emotions and to not feel shame for taking the steps someone may need to get better. 

It is widely known that exercise is great for your physical health and improving your physique, but did you know its extremely beneficial to your mental health? Exercise is much more than lifting weights, running, or trying to lose weight and tone muscles. Exercise or physical activity positively impacts a number of biological, as well as psychological, mechanisms.  Exercise is medicine- It allows for better sleep, more motivation, and more focused, positive thoughts. Regular exercise can have a profound impact on mood, anxiety, depression and ADHD. Research indicates that regular exercise or physical activity can be used as a powerful asset to improving overall mental health. 

Depression is a mental health disorder that is marked by persistent depressed mood or loss of interest in activities that causes impairment in every day life. Research has shown that exercise can be just as helpful as antidepressant medication with moderate levels of depression. Research has also proven that maintaining a regular exercise schedule can prevent individuals from relapsing. In a study conducted by Chan et al (2015), it was found that completing aerobic exercise for 15 minutes a day can reduce the risk of serve depression by 26%. 

As humans, our bodies and mind endure stress frequently. Sometimes our muscles are stiff, we experience painful tension headaches, chest pains, insomnia, stomachaches, etc. All of these symptoms can take a tool on our bodies, and exercise can effectively reduce this. A study conducted by Childs & de Whit (2014), showed that those who regular engage in exercise, tend to relieve emotional and physical stress, along with reduce symptoms such as heart-rate and headaches, and cortisol levels. 

ADHD affects many adults, and its wide variety of frustrating symptoms can hinder important aspects of your life. Exercising regularly is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Regular exercise improves memory, concentration, motivation, and mood. Physical activity rapidly boosts dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels. This can directly affect focus and attention. (Mehren et al., 2020).  Regular exercise can be a natural treatment for ADHD as exercise works the same was as ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin. 

Even if your not experiencing mental health problems, regular physical activity can still boost your mood, outlook, and mental well-being. 

Exercise can help provide: 
Sharper memory and thinking
Better sleep
Higher self-esteem
More energy

Self-Care is essential to ones physical and mental wellbeing. Many people believe self-care is "selfish" however, it is quite the opposite. Self-care allows us to become the best version of ourselves. If we are feeling exhausted and drained all the time, we are not going to be the best friend, caregiver, partner, or employee. There is only so much a person can give. 

Selfish is not considering others. It is ignoring how we impact others and operating with a complete lack of consideration of others. Self-care is taking the steps to care for ourselves, in order to care for others. As humans, we have to help ourselves first, before we can help someone else. 

Self-care is necessary for us to be able to thrive. It is about making time for the things that make us feel alive and forgetting everything that doesn't. It can be taking the time to fit in reading, drawing, writing, exercise, or rest. It is prioritizing healthy meals, taking a step from relationships, meeting with a counselor, hanging with a friend. It is what is needed to maintain us. Self-care emphasizes our worth. Taking the time to connect with ourselves enables us to feel validated, and emphasize we no longer need to rely on external sources. 

Self-Care is a lot of things. Self-Care is different for everyone. But we are in control of it!

The Attachment Theory dates back to as early as the 1950's and was originated by John Bowlby. Attachment theory focuses on relationships or emotional bonds between people, including parent and child relationships and romantic relationships. There are four patters of attachment. 

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1. Avoidant Attachment 
Avoidant attachment is one type of insecure attachment style. Individuals who have an avoidant attachment may have difficulty expressing feelings or emotions. Those may also feel uncomfortable when someone else seeks out forms of intimacy. Those with avoidant attachment tend to become emotionally or physically independent. 

2. Secure Attachment 
Secure attachment is the most common type of attachment and is the healthiest style. Self-contended, social, and warm, are characteristics that people with this type of attachment style may portray. Individuals with style may have more success with long-term relationships. Those with secure attachment are aware of their emotions and emotional needs, they are okay with expressing them and do not go to extremes. 

3. Anxious Attachment
Anxious attachment is one insecure type of insecure attachment. People with anxious attachment often have low self-esteem, fear of rejection, clinginess, or need for constant reassurance. People often have a strong desire for intimacy but is accompanied with doubts and abandonment anxiety. 

4. Disorganized Attachment
Disorganized attachment is a type of insecure attachment style. Individuals with this attachment style are very inconsistent in behaviors and have a hard time with intimacy. They WANT to love and to feel loved. But, they are too afraid to let anyone in. They do not reject intimacy; they are afraid of it. People with disorganized attachment have a fear of being hurt by those closets to them. People with disorganized attachment are waiting for the worst to happen and avoid proximity. 

This year blew in a new, rapid, unexpected change to the typical way of life – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19). Even as the world takes action to slow the spread of the disease, it still manages to pillage and plunder everyday people’s daily routines and social interactions. This year has been full of chaos, disorder and confusion, and the long and ongoing abrupt end to social normalcy has affected the minds of most people around the globe. So then, what can we do contest the effects of what is now commonly called coronavirus anxiety?

In late June, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that 40 percent of U.S. adult reported wrestling with some mental health issue. Hartford Health Care breaks down these increases by age:

Age
Reported Anxiety
Reported Depression

18 – 29
42 percent
36 percent

30 - 39
34 percent
28 percent

70 – 79
16 percent
12 percent

80+
11 percent
9 percent

These elevated reports caused the CDC to suggest adding intervention and prevention to the COVID-19 public health response.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) suggest that as the country has begun to adjust to this new way of life, and it’s now time for many to re-enter society; this is reportedly causing a different type of anxiety. With so many stressors affecting so many people, what can we do?
The CDC has some suggestions.

5. TAKE BREAKS FROM THE NEWS

We need to stay informed, but let’s face it, the news can be stressful. Give yourself some time away from breaking news and 24/7 virus updates. Take some time throughout the day and be mindful, living in the present moment.

4. DO SOME ENJOYABLE ACTIVITIES

Hobbies and leisure activities are great stress relievers. Take some time to do some things you like to do, maybe even somethings you haven't been able to do in a long time. Simple things like drawing or journaling can be helpful.

3. CONNECT WITH OTHERs

Of course, social distance to stay safe, but many community- or faith-based organizations provide additional ways to stay connected with friends and family. You can also look for a support group for people dealing with coronavirus anxiety.

2. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY

Make some healthy food choices, get the required sleep, exercise and meditate; taking care of your body has a tremendous effect on health, both physical and mental.

1. TEND TO YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Finally, know where and how to get treatment. Although everything on this list helps improve your emotional health, nothing beats seeking the care of a professional. With so many factors affecting metal health, it’s always better to get the opinion of a healthcare provider. Some still believe there is something wrong with seeing someone about mental health, but this is misguided. We should all seek to be more safe than sorry.

Some problems need immediate attention, the CDC list resources for issues that need special and imminent attention. If you feel depressed or anxious, do hesitate to ask help; mental health is a part of total health.

​Body image can be defined as “the way that someone perceives his or her body and assumes perceive him or her.” For many, this discernment is how they define themselves. If the perception is positive, one is said to have a positive body image; however, if it is negative, the individual likely struggles with negative body image. Unfortunately, the majority of women and even a high percentage of men struggle with poor body image at some point in their lives. 

If an individual with negative body image seeks out constructive coping mechanisms to deal with the issue, then he or she may be able to overcome it. More often, though, the individual falls into negative thought and behavior patterns that lead to self-deprecation and issues, such as an eating disorder. In fact, some statistics show that as many as 30 million people will suffer from some form of an eating disorder during their lifetimes. 

What Is Body Image? 
Perceptions of self begin forming at a very young age. Even as early as toddlerhood, boys and girls begin learning a sense of self and may even define themselves based on labels they have heard used – pretty, chubby, short, tall, small… 

Body image and the associated perceptions are typically based on the individual’s perception of his or her overall attractiveness, health, acceptability, and functionality. Over time, these ideas are solidified with feedback from other peers, friends, family members, caregivers, teachers, coaches, etc. 

What Causes Negative Body Image? 
The media is one of the most significant contributors to negative body image. Television, magazines, movies, and social media presents individuals who are thin, attractive, and intelligent as the most acceptable, desirable, and valuable. And many young people begin to judge their own bodies in relation to those they see on screens and in print. 

Not only that, but negative experiences associated with one’s body can lead to an individual developing a negative perception of him or herself. For example, an athlete who is negatively critiqued by her coach in regards to the size or shape of her body may develop a negative sense of self-worth. 

Poor body image can be exacerbated by certain personality traits, such as perfectionism and self-criticism. Constant self-scrutiny and/or comparison to others can further ingrain the idea of being inadequate or unfit in one’s mind. 

What Is the Impact of Poor Body Image? 
Body image is linked to self-esteem. As such, poor body image often manifests as low self-esteem and contributes to dangerous behaviors, such as promiscuity, substance abuse, eating disorders, and even suicidal thoughts. If left untreated, these issues can be life altering and even life threatening. 

What Are Effective Ways to Deal with Distorted Body Image? 
Overcoming distorted body image is a difficult and deeply personal journey. Because of the nature of the issue, however, many individuals require intentional treatment and support to recover and regain a more positive sense of self. 

One of the first steps toward dealing with distorted body image is learning to recognize and acknowledge that one’s thoughts and feelings toward his or her body aren’t necessarily reality. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one approach that can help individuals work through this process and learn to utilize more positive and rational self-talk. 

Reinforcing a positive body image is also important. To do this, an individual needs to learn to identify his or her triggers for negative self-talk and poor body image and find ways to recognize his or her strengths – physical, emotional, and otherwise. Group therapy or counseling may be helpful in this pursuit as both serve to support self-exploration and healing. 

Additionally, self-care can help individuals regain a more positive sense of self. Such habits as exercise, gratitude, affirmations, and nutrition helps the individual focus on taking care of him or herself as a whole, replacing value on who he or she is as a person rather than just a perception. This approach is an investment in one’s self that emphasizes feeling as good as possibly – physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Poor body image is an issue that plagues the majority of people today. Although it often starts as a negative thought, it can develop into a lifelong battle and lead to issues of negative self-talk, low self-esteem, and even self-mutilation. Fortunately, there are effective ways for individuals to overcome poor body image; however, more awareness and support is needed for individual’s dealing with the issue to feel comfortable speaking up and asking for help.

It's an unfortunate fact that the major family-oriented holidays occur during the darkest winter months. The minimal natural light and cold temperatures tend to intensify feelings that are associated with depression and sadness. Low natural light and harsh environmental conditions are a fact of life. These are things that make dealing with especially difficult around the holidays.

Grief is defined as the personal actualization of loss. The emptiness that is caused by the loss of a loved one, or a radical shift in life events is hard enough to comprehend without added environmental factors. One of the primary notions that CBT and counseling instills is the importance of realizing that loss can be combated during any seasonal condition. 

Seek Interaction

Suffering from the feelings of loss is an extraordinarily personal activity. The conundrum of losing a loved one creates the need to hide away. Certain involuntary actions make a person adopt a reclusive lifestyle. It is absolutely imperative that someone dealing with the loss of a loved one should seek opportunities to interact with others. This is particularly troublesome during the holidays. All traditional events are centered on public interactivity. Loneliness, and the feeling of loss, compel a person to withdraw. Even if no meaningful connections are made during the holidays, participating in lively events is powerful in countering negative feelings.

Radical Environmental Changes

It is proven that people suffering from conditions like the loss of loved ones experience physical changes. One of these is the release of the stress hormone Cortisol. This hormone contributes to negative metabolic functions like weight gain, plus extends periods of mental cloudiness. People dealing with troubles during the holidays can fight physiological responses with good lighting. A home decorated in high intensity LED lighting not only provides a fun display for viewers, but gives beneficial light for people struggling with hormonal imbalances due to prolonged depression.

Become the Life of the Holiday Festivities

The feelings associated with grief are powerful. They compel a person to focus on the most horrible aspects of an event, or personal story. It is important to remember that lost loved ones ultimately would want their survivors to experience the best in life. Try honoring the unspoken wishes of a late loved ones by getting involved in holiday events and activities. 

Volunteer for community holiday celebrations. Make it a point to donate to holiday charities. Open your home to a network of people who are involved in creating interesting holiday functions. If the loss of something, or someone is particularly tough during this season, allowing yourself to reconnect with people is a powerful tool in curbing negative thoughts associated with previous setbacks. Opening oneself to the positivity and celebration of others during the holidays is a simple and effective coping mechanism.

One of the most difficult jobs of a counselor is educating individuals about the intimate elements of dealing with grief. Every person has a unique response to the loss of something important. These responses tend to emerge during holiday seasons that center on interpersonal relations. After dealing with a period of negative feelings, it is difficult for a person to rejoin family and friends in a holiday celebration. A counselor can illustrate why seasonal social activity is important for regaining a hold on life after loss. 

Many simple and complex actions can be taken to provide a person suffering from loss with the tools needed to rebuild a foothold on living well. The holiday season is a difficult time to start these actions, but it is also a time where therapeutic actions work the best. If a person works with a certified counselor to understand the many facets of their sadness, worry, and despair, they can learn to use the holiday season as the perfect time to achieve an emotional turnaround. 

Practical things like attending social events and installing adequate lighting in the home help with curbing symptoms of sadness. Consistent professional counseling however, is the key overcoming the curse of being grieved. Don't let another holiday season go by without seeking professional counseling to address tough life issues.