The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month and it is a perfect time to talk about how mental health and wellness can be preserved. Marriages and families find themselves under immense pressures in many spheres of their lives these days so it is important to look at ways to keep from falling under those pressures. In this blog, I will feature a few steps that can be useful to preserve, protect and provide for your marriage and family's sound mental health:
Begin each day with prayer. Every person has a spiritual grounding. Practice your faith individually, as a couple and then with your children. Doing so gives a foundation for not just the day at hand but also, for life!
Plan to eat one meal a day as a couple and/or a family. Who knew that something as simple as eating together especially with your children can be a safeguard against many societal traps? Research shows that children who have regular meals at home with their families are less likely to use illicit drugs.
Family times means No Devices. This is as true for couples as it is for the entire family. Each of us deserves to be given undivided attention when we share our thoughts and experiences. In a marriage, this kind of attention can greatly decrease future misunderstandings that lead to arguments. In the family, children get the benefit of having their parents' undivided attention. This is the best way to give a strong sense of self-worth and produce young people who become caring, kind adults.
Make time to say "I love you" daily. Husbands and wives in spite of busy schedules, do not leave home without saying those three little words - "I love you". Fathers and mothers give the children the gift of hearing those three little words. Even your teens want to hear and to know that no matter what they are always loved.
End the day with prayer. Prayer strengthens the marriage and family foundation. Couples who pray together at the end of the day give an example of faith to their children that can never be shaken. Children who are raised with praying parents are given a solid structure on which to formulate their opinions, values and life-decisions.
In closing, I will share one of my favorite Scriptures from the Psalms: Psalms 127:1: " Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchmen waketh but in vain".
To preserve and to keep solid mental health in the marriage and family, prayer, making special time to be together and openly expressing love for each other are without question the most effective tools.
If you are interested in learning more about how to keep your marriage solid for yourselves and your family, contact me to sign up to get my monthly newsletter. If you are interested in Biblical Marriage Coaching, call me at 708-269-8063 for a free 15-minute consultation.
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