Every year, May is recognized globally as Mental Health Awareness Month, often referred to in the wellness community as Mental and Emotional Wellness Month. It is a dedicated 31-day period to prioritize our internal landscape, break the stigma surrounding mental struggles, and implement habits that foster long-term emotional resilience.
However, the secret to a successful wellness month isn’t just what you do in May—it’s how you prepare in the weeks leading up to it. If you want to make the most of this period, your journey should begin with a deterministic plan in April.
Relevant blog to read: The April Theory & Other New Start Trends: When to Set Mental Wellness Goals
Why May is the Perfect Time for a Mental Reset
Coming off the back of the “April Theory”—where the arrival of Spring naturally boosts our serotonin levels—May serves as the perfect “expansion” phase. The weather is warmer, the days are longer, and the natural world is in full bloom. This environmental shift provides the biological energy needed to do the “heavy lifting” of emotional growth.
Phase 1: How to Prepare Yourself (The April “Pre-Game”)
To make the best out of Mental and Emotional Wellness Month, you must clear the “mental clutter” before May 1st arrives.
1. Perform a “Mental Audit”
Spend the last week of April journaling about your current emotional state. What are your primary triggers? Where are you leaking energy? Identifying these “leaks” now ensures you aren’t wasting the first week of May just trying to figure out what’s wrong.
2. Schedule Your Support
If you’ve been considering therapy or coaching, book your initial appointments in April. Mental health professionals often see a surge in inquiries during May, so securing your spot early is a deterministic step toward success.
3. Create a “Wellness Sanctuary”
Your physical surroundings dictate your emotional success. Use the end of April to declutter your home.
Phase 2: Making the Best of Mental and Emotional Wellness Month
Once May 1st hits, it’s time to move from preparation to action. Here is how to navigate the month for maximum emotional impact:
1. Set “Identity-Based” Wellness Goals
Instead of saying “I will try to be less anxious,” adopt the identity: “I am a person who prioritizes my peace of mind.” This subtle shift makes every self-care action feel like a requirement of your character rather than a chore on a list.
2. Implementation Intentions (The “If-Then” Plan)
Mental health isn’t always linear. Prepare for the “low” days with deterministic logic.
- Example: “If I feel a spike in stress during work, then I will practice Color Breathing for three minutes before checking my next email.”
3. Deepen Your Journaling Practice
During Mental and Emotional Wellness Month, move beyond basic “Dear Diary” entries. Use prompts that force introspection:
- “What is one boundary I haven’t set because I’m afraid of being disliked?”
- “Which relationships in my life feel like a sanctuary, and which feel like a storm?”
4. Build a Themed Vision Board
Create a specific vision board for the month of May. Focus entirely on feelings rather than things. Use images of calm water, open fields, and warm sunlight to reinforce your commitment to emotional balance.
The 3 Pillars of May Wellness
- Mind: Commit to 10 minutes of Visualization Meditation daily.
- Body: Practice Intuitive Movement—walking in nature, stretching, or dancing—without the goal of calorie burning.
- Environment: Ensure your “Sleep Sanctuary” is optimized. Keep your phone out of the bedroom and ensure your space is dark and cool.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives. Since then, it has evolved into a global movement for emotional health.
A. This is a common phenomenon often called the “healing crisis.” When you start paying attention to suppressed emotions, they can feel louder. This is why having a support system (friends, family, or a therapist) in place before May starts is so vital.
A. Absolutely. While May provides a great community-wide momentum, every day is an opportunity for a “Mindset Reset.” You can use this guide to create your own “Wellness Month” at any time of the year.
A. Focus on “Keystone Habits.” Choose the one practice from May that had the biggest impact on your mood and commit to that one thing for June. Stability is built through one habit at a time, not fifty at once.
Author’s note
Thank you for taking the time to focus on your well-being and for being your own cheerleader in this journey called life. I truly appreciate you for choosing to invest in yourself today, and I’m honored that you spent a part of your day here. Remember, every small step you take matters, and you’re doing an amazing job. Keep going—you’ve got this!
