At this point in the Check-in Challenge, you’ve checked in on the mental health of caregivers and strong friends. Now, it’s time to check in on the person you know best: yourself!
Yes, you!
Checking in with yourself helps to assess how you are really doing. It also helps you be kind to yourself, and stay connected to who you really are inside.
Spend some time this week really considering how you are doing. You can use these prompts in a journal or contemplate them mentally while in a quiet place:
- How am I feeling today, really? Physically and mentally?
- What do I need at this moment?
- What does my body need?
- What are my emotional needs right now?
- What’s taking up most of my headspace right now?
- What am I grateful for today?
- Who am I connecting with today?
- What “expectations of normal” am I letting go of today?
- How am I getting outside today?
- How am I moving my body today?
- What beauty am I either creating, cultivating or inviting in today?
- How can I be gentle with myself?
- What can I do to change the way I feel?
- What am I tired of?
- What can I do about it?
- What can I let go of that is getting in the way of my health and well-being?
- How would it help me if I contacted a professional who could help me feel better?
- Am I prepared to offer support if someone asks for it?
Meditation, deep breathing, stretching and a light walk are all great ways to check in with yourself. Listening to music can help too! This playlist was created by Kevin Budd, a board-certified music therapist in CHOC’s Cherese Mari Laulhere Mental Health Inpatient Center.
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Get mental health resources from CHOC pediatric experts
The mental health team at CHOC curated the following resources on mental health topics common to kids and teens, such as depression, anxiety, suicide prevention and more.
