Check In with Yourself by Checking Your Mood

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Experience some rougher days this summer? Challenges piling on faster than solutions? Are you consistently seeking solitude or feeling down?

All these signs could mean something deeper is happening.

However you are feeling is OK. That is what Check Your Mood Day is all about.

Check Your Mood is one of the County’s annual Live Well San Diego signature events that emphasizes health and wellness.

The annual event is Thursday, Oct. 5 this year in conjunction with National Depression Screening Day.

Employees are encouraged to engage and encourage loved ones and themselves to assess and monitor emotional well-being.

When you go to the doctor for a regular check-up, request an emotional screening from your provider. Just like getting your blood pressure checked, checking your mood allows a doctor to ensure proper care of your entire self.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or down, some coping strategies are:

  • Mindful Breathing: When you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, sit down and close your eyes. Breathe in and count to four, then hold for four, breathe out for four and hold for four. Do this four times to try and release those feelings of stress and find clarity.

  • Positive Affirmations: Repeat positive affirmations to yourself, like “I am capable of achieving my goals. I am smart. I am successful. I matter. I am strong. I am brave.”

  • Write It Out: Write what you are grateful for and keep a gratitude journal to look back on. Write down positive affirmations you get from others throughout the week and review them when feeling overwhelmed. Take 10 minutes and free write if you feel your thoughts spiraling. This helps identify, acknowledge, and let go of overwhelming thoughts and re-grounds you.

  • Meditate: Give your mind a break and listen to a guided meditation online or through a self-care app.

  • Get Active: What brings you joy? Yoga? A run? Zumba? Get up and get moving, even small standing stretches can bring you back to the present moment and feel more energized and positive.

For resources and self-administered screenings to Check Your Mood visit CheckYourMoodSD.org. If you need immediate assistance, please call the Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240.