May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

To help promote mental wellness nationwide, Mental Health America founded Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949. Since then, May has served as an opportunity to stand with our communities to show that no one struggles alone. Here at Fava Tea Company, we believe that mental health is physical health. By sharing our stories, learning from each other’s experiences, and building strong community connections, we can challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and create spaces where people are supported, understood, and find healing.

While there are many ways you can join the conversation and support this year’s theme of “More Good Days, Together” for yourself and those around you, here are just a few of our favorite ideas!

Start Your Day with Affirmations

Affirmations are statements you say or think to yourself that reinforce what matters to you and who you want to be, but it’s important to remember that they aren’t just about positive thinking. They’re actually a fantastic way to help soothe your mind, which allows you to focus on your values and what matters most. Studies have found that affirmations can improve overall well-being and reduce anxiety, with effects that are frequently immediate and long-lasting. Making them a part of your daily life can create an incredible impact, so here are a few of our favorite simple affirmations to get you started:

• Every day is a new opportunity for growth.
• I choose happiness today.
• I trust in my ability to support my wellbeing.
• What I seek is also seeking me.
• My mind is calm and my heart is at peace.

Brew a Cup of Calm

Tea has long been celebrated for its medicinal properties, but did you know that incorporating a tea ritual into your daily routine can offer benefits for your mental health? The pause naturally provided by the tea brewing process can serve as a moment of meditation – and one to step away from distractions as you reconnect with the moment. It’s also a great way to promote mindfulness, reduce stress, and slow you down from the regular rush of your routine.

Starting small works best – try out a short 5-minute tea break! Choose your tea mindfully, pause with a deep breath before you begin, take a moment to engage with the color, aroma, and texture of the leaves, set an intention, and enjoy your first sip slowly. Then, make it a part of your regular routine and experiment with different teas and intentions. If you’re looking for something new, our Associates love Detox Herbal, Lavender Sunrise Green, and Peaceful Rest Rooibos for their daily tea rituals!

Get Involved on Social Media

One of the best ways to help others is to meet them where they are, and social media provides a great outlet for offering support. There are a wealth of resources and pre-made social media posts from organizations like Mental Health America and NAMI to help raise awareness for mental health, but if you have your own story it can be equally impactful to share it! Speaking from your own experience can help others feel less alone, learn something new, or feel encouraged to reach out for support. For more information on how to best share your story, check out this video: Action through advocacy: How to make a difference by telling your story.

Embrace Caring for Your Whole Self

Mental health and physical health are inherently connected and are equally important. Our sleep, stress, relationships, nutrition, environment, and other health conditions all impact – and are impacted by – our mental health. We also know that many factors that affect our health are beyond our control. Even when we can’t change everything, noticing what we can influence is important for our well-being. Whether it’s finding ways to move that you enjoy, connecting with your community, or simply remembering to drink water, it all adds up. Relaxation, hobbies, and creative pursuits are all crucial for our mental health too, so it’s about finding a rounded approach that works for you! So take time to explore what sparks joy, brings you peace, or helps you feel good mentally and physically! Remember, small wins matter!

Utilize Your Resources

Interested in learning more about Mental Health Awareness Month or how you can get involved? Check out the following organizations for more information and resources.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The organization started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 and has since grown to more than 650 local Affiliates and 49 State Organizations working with communities around the country to raise awareness and provide support to those in need.

Christian Family Solutions (CFS) has been providing professional counseling and mental health services since 1965. Over the decades, programs and services have changed, grown, and adapted to best support the changing needs of the world around us. CFS strives to support those who are most vulnerable in the communities they serve, and they continue to do so in a caring and compassionate way.

Mental Health America is the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and prevention. They’re working to close the mental health equity gap while increasing nationwide awareness and understanding.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, 24/7 assistance is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

But most importantly, remember that we’re all in this together. Fava Tea Company is proud to support organizations dedicated to promoting further mental health awareness and we look forward to engaging in the conversation this Mental Health Awareness Month!