Go on a vacation 

Seriously. That is the one thing you must do for yourself in 2020.  Even if it’s just for a weekend. Going on a vacation to maintain your mental health helps you learn how to be grateful for what you have and helps you cultivate an attitude of gratitude. 

I recently went on a trip to Jamaica and was blown away at how much the trip did for my mental health and overall well being. 

Going on vacation offers you a chance to get away from your normal hustle and bustle and allows a chance to just be. Even if you have experiences planned and have your vacation details ironed out, the change of scenery allows your mind to change its normal processes and absorb the new information that it’s receiving. It’s like restarting your computer after downloading the latest update.

Spending time at Breathless Resorts in Montego Bay gave me the chance to detox from my day to day triggers and experience life in a way I had never done before. It also allowed me a chance to develop new anchoring thoughts to have when old triggers are activated. If I find myself panicking and reacting to situations around me I have amazing memories to look back on and that is key for anyone who battles against mental health issues. 

As women of color, we are hard-working by nature and tend to neglect ourselves because we are always giving to others.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a nurturer but we cannot forget to be nurtured too. Take a vacation this year sis. You deserve it. Take time to make sure that taking a vacation is one of the things you do this year to take care of your mental health because self-care is non-negotiable in 2020.