Taking care of your mental health is definitely essential for overall wellness, but if you needed even more of a push to put a focus on the mind and spirit, just check this out: Recent research has found that 46% of people with “problem debt” also have a mental health issue, and 86% have indicated that their financial situation “made their mental health problems worse.” That means that while your mental health isn’t all about the money, neglecting it can certainly impact your finances or ability to earn a living.
There are often reports about what mental health neglect costs employers, and while we all can appreciate our jobs, now’s the time to hone in on the person in the mirror, the priceless human being who exists even beyond a role or office and who has to be able to thrive and flourish. Just like you would invest in preventative care for your body, it’s also a good idea, at least financially, to invest in quality mental wellness care.
The Cost of Poor Mental Health
Poor mental health, according to the CDC, has been found to negatively affect one’s job performance, engagement at work, communication abilities, and daily functioning habits. And when you’re not quite operating at your best, there are higher chances of not only making costly mistakes but losing your source of income altogether. There’s an actual cost to mental health distress as well, including spending $3,000 more in health-care services per year, so neglecting to address any issues can literally mean more money going out of your pocket than coming in.
No matter if you’re feeling the effects of burnout or depression or you’re feeling super-happy and upbeat, maintaining deliberate habits related to nurturing your mental health is important. This can look like taking time to decompress and strengthening your mind and spirit through prayer, as well as addressing any symptoms of mental distress or disorders via a visit to a licensed mental health professional. And it doesn’t matter if you need to go once a quarter or once a week or if medication and other therapies are part of your journey or not.
Normalizing incorporating mental health activities and appointments into your overall wellness routine is the move.
How to Maintain Mental Health Wellness
As much as we all want to hustle and make more money, neglecting an important aspect of your well-being can ensure you won’t be able to fully enjoy the fruits of your labor and protect an important priceless asset: yourself.
If you find yourself slacking in the mental health maintenance department, experts recommend taking the following steps:
1. Be sure to honor and uplift yourself.
GiphyStopping habits like negative self-talk in its tracks and doing things that make you feel good on the inside can do amazing things for your mental health. Tap into what helps boost your confidence and participate in activities that do so. Affirmations have also been known to help boost your mood and support motivation, so recite them to yourself or keep them visible around the house.
2. Remember the connection between body and mind, and get active.
GiphyExercise has always been something that has been found to have positive effects on your mental health. Experts have also said time and time again that balanced nutrition habits positively contribute to overall health including mental wellness.
3. Take an accounting of your network and surround yourself with great people.
tracee ellis ross squad GIFGiphyHaving great interactions with family and friends and being surrounded by positive influences have been seen to positively benefit one’s mental health.
4. Set boundaries and seek balance.
Family Vacation Fox GIF by GrandfatheredGiphyIf you find yourself offering too much to one aspect of your life and it’s causing you mental distress or agony, it’s time to reassess and set a few boundaries. Experts have also touted the benefits of doing so including avoiding burnout and building “greater self-esteem.”
5. Don't underestimate the power of coaching and/or therapy.
Therapy GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonGiphyWellness experts often recommend scheduling time to talk to someone, even if there’s nothing “wrong,” per se. Taking charge of nurturing your mental wellness starts with you, and there’s nothing “wrong” with seeking advice or guidance related to your overall mental well-being.
Certified coaches and licensed therapists can guide you toward strategies for sustainable habit adjustments, processing through trauma, addressing addictions, diagnosing disorders, coping with stress triggers like breakups, debt, or lack of job satisfaction, or maintaining overall mental wellness.
If your mental health issues are found to be clinical, you’re not alone. A professional can help you with treatment plans for anxiety disorder, clinical depression, PTSD, or other clinically recognized mental health conditions, and you’d need to be able to manage with the help of a professional and any other resources necessary. Mental wellness must be approached and handled with the same responsible awareness, love, compassion, and deliberate action as your physical wellness.
Taking care of your mental health really boils down to giving yourself the space and permission to seek the help and resources you might need to achieve the life you want and continue reaching your financial goals, one step at a time.
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While people tend to view sex as a very monolithic thing, in reality, oral sex is in fact sex and so is masturbation. With that said, it seems likely that there might be some confusion as to whether masturbation is 'acceptable' during pregnancy. And the answer is: YES! Yes, you can absolutely masturbate. More often than not all types of sex are welcome, however, some positions might require adaption.
There are exceptions to the rule and to be safe, you should absolutely double-check with your OB. But if you have a low-risk pregnancy without complications, it’s typically a safe bet that you can pass go and collect your 200 in the sex department.
If everything checks out from your doctor, here are four benefits to masturbating while pregnant, according to experts.
1. Reduces Anxiety and Stress
GiphyThe ease you wish to feel might be possible with the help of an orgasm or two. Clinical Sexologist and Sex, Intimacy, and Relationship Advisor Katie Lasson explains, "Not only is masturbation safe for the majority of pregnant women, but it can also be a great stress reliever. Masturbation when followed by orgasm releases the feel-good hormones such as oxytocin into our bodies. This helps to make us feel calm and relaxed. As an added bonus your unborn baby will also get the benefit of these feel-good hormones."
She adds, "A lot of women find that their libido increases during pregnancy so masturbation can be a great way to manage that. You may notice some mild cramping in your stomach after you reach orgasm but that is normal. If you experience any pain, seek medical help immediately. Some women also experience more intense orgasms when they're pregnant."
2. Melatonin Vibes
Any parent will tell you that you should sleep as much as you can before the baby gets here. However, postpartum and the body changes experienced during each stage of your pregnancy can make sleeping well difficult. During the prenatal phase, one might find themselves coping with insomnia due to your belly growing and/or breast and body aches. And when you do finally get to sleep, you might experience nightmares that are said to be caused by the anxiety of bringing a child into this world. Trouble sleeping might also be coupled with a newfound ability to snore due to pregnancy rhinitis.
Due to the 'feel-good hormones' mentioned in the previous post, masturbation or bringing yourself to orgasm also makes for a better night’s sleep.
3. Inducing Overdue Babies
Suzannah Weiss, certified sex educator, sex/love coach, and trained doula, says, “If you're pregnant past your due date, masturbation (as well as partnered sex) can also be a way to bring on labor. Sexual pleasure, especially when it involves orgasm, releases oxytocin, which can stimulate labor contractions, and prostaglandins, which help the cervix dilate. The only thing to be careful about is not to insert anything into your vagina after your water breaks.”
Additionally, Weiss recommends trying the following items if you’re someone who has difficulty reaching where you need to be, to get where you want to go (if you catch my drift). "Sex toys such as wand vibrators may be helpful,” she begins, adding that a few other accessories, such as this pillow can also prove reliable for achieving orgasm.
4. Sense of Pre-Parent Self
GiphyYou don't stop being a sexual or sensual being just because your journey is evolving into motherhood. Masturbation is a great way to remind yourself of who you are in the process of becoming more. “As a woman’s body changes during pregnancy, they may become more confident and feel more feminine and desirable – or less. Masturbation can help [those expecting] stay connected to their body and find ways to satisfy needs they may not be able to otherwise or like they were accustomed to before pregnancy. In turn, this can help her keep her sense of self during these changes,” according to the Director of Kiiroo’s Helen Zeal.
Before you partake in getting your solo sex session on, it is also worth noting that “in the third trimester of your pregnancy, sometimes orgasm after masturbation can increase the frequency of your Braxton Hicks contractions." Relationship Expert Psychologist and Sex Therapist Tatyana Dyachenko confirms that this occurrence is pretty normal.
Without a doubt, there are some amazing benefits to masturbating during pregnancy. Let us know if you decide to try it.
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