Self-Care & Mental Wellness: Akos Antwi Of Revive Therapeutic Services On The Top Five Selfcare Practices That Improve Mental Wellness
An Interview With Maria Angelova
Exercise is one of the most powerful, effective and accessible ways to improve your mental well-being. The benefits of exercise (no matter how you choose to do it) are numerous and range from improved sleep quality, healthier eating habits and lower stress levels.
Let’s face it. It seems that everyone is under a great deal of stress these days. This takes a toll on our mental wellness. What are some of the best self-care practices that we can use to help improve our mental wellness and mental well-being? In this interview series, we are talking to medical doctors, mental health professionals, health and wellness professionals, and experts about self-care or mental health who can share insights from their experience about How Each Of Us Can Use Self Care To Improve Our Mental Wellness. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Akos Antwi.
Akos is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 10 years of experience in evaluating and treating a wide range of mental health diagnoses. She has psychiatric/mental health experience, in various roles, including inpatient psychiatry and outpatient clinics that has helped her to develop her perspective on the challenges individual face, and how she can best engage clients in wellness care. Her goal is to encourage each patient to take care of their mental health by discussing it in a way that eliminates the stigma attached to seeking help. Her mission is to provide quality care in a collaborative, supportive, and judgment-free environment.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us. It is a great honor. Our readers would love to learn more about you and your personal background. Can you please share your personal story? What has brought you to this point in your life?
When I was younger, I used to think that everyone could just snap out of their depression or anxiety. But then I learned that there are so many different kinds of depression and anxiety — there’s not just one thing that can be done for every person.
That’s what makes me so passionate about mental wellness: it’s a complex field, with so many different options for treatment. There isn’t one right way to do things — you have to figure out what works best for you.
And even when you find something that works, it’s important to keep trying new things because your body changes as you get older and your life changes as well.
The most important thing is that we all take care of ourselves physically and mentally, whether that means taking time out every day or seeing a professional therapist once a month or whatever works best for each person individually!
What is your “WHY” behind what you do? What fuels you?
My “WHY” is simple: I want to see people living the lives they were meant to lead. I think the greatest thing about being a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is that I get to be a part of people’s most important moments in their lives. I get to help them find solutions when they are at their lowest. I have had patients who have been through some really tough times, but because of my help and guidance, they were able to move past those obstacles and achieve their goals. That’s an amazing feeling for me as a doctor and for the patient who can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. I love what I do because I believe that every person has the potential to live a life that is meaningful, joyful, and purposeful.
Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake or failure which you now appreciate has taught you a valuable lesson?
Well, as a new graduate, I once worked with a client who had been in therapy for 15 years and failed many antidepressants. He was so depressed that he wouldn’t leave his house or go outside — he just sat in his bedroom all day long. And then one day he came into my office and said: “I don’t want to live anymore.” And I asked him why not, and he said: “Because life isn’t worth living.” And I said: “But what if life was worth living?” So we talked about some ways he could start making it more worth living…and then he started going outside! And then he started going on hikes! It was amazing! My biggest mistake was not asking him this question earlier on in his treatment.
That being said, I also believe that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. We all make mistakes in life — some are minor, some are major, but we all know what it feels like when we mess up big time. And there’s no shame in admitting it; everyone makes mistakes! But what matters most is how we learn from them and then move on with our lives.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
- Adapting to change.
- Being open-minded and flexible.
- Self-awareness: understanding your emotions, personality, and psychological makeup; how you react and interact with others; how you present yourself to the outside world — self-regulation: the ability to control one’s emotions, thoughts, actions.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting new projects you are working on now? How do you think that will help people?
I am currently working on creating a self -reflection journal. Self-reflection is something that everyone does naturally — we all have our own thoughts about what we do well or not so well. However, it’s important to take time out of every day (even if only for five minutes) just for yourself so that these ideas aren’t lost among the busyness of everyday life. Questions like “What did I learn today?” or “What am I proud of?” are good places to start when practicing self-reflection because they allow us to focus our attention on positive things happening around us rather than dwelling on problems.
OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, about the interface between self-care and mental health. From where you stand personally or professionally, why are you so passionate about mental well-being?
I am incredibly passionate about mental health because it is a crucial part of the human experience. We all have to deal with our own mental health, and we should be able to do so in a way that makes us feel comfortable, confident, and strong. I believe that everyone deserves to live a life of joy, fulfillment, and meaning. I believe that when people are at their best, they can accomplish amazing things — and I want to be part of that.
Based on your research or experience, how exactly does self-care impact our mental wellness?
if you’re not taking care of your mind, you can’t take care of anything. It’s a lot like physical health: if you don’t take care of your body, it will start to show in all areas of your life — your mood, your relationships, even your career. When you neglect your physical and mental health, it can have serious ramifications for your well-being. But when you take steps to care for yourself, you give yourself the tools needed to handle whatever life throws at you. Self-care also helps us find balance in our lives so we don’t get overwhelmed by stress or anxiety; instead, we can focus on what matters most: taking time for ourselves and enjoying life!
Here is our primary question. Can you please share your “Top Five Selfcare Practices That Each Of Us Can Use To Improve Our Mental Wellness”?
Five of my favorite selfcare practices that ensure that my mind is in tip-top shape include:
1. Exercise- Exercise is one of the most powerful, effective and accessible ways to improve your mental well-being. The benefits of exercise (no matter how you choose to do it) are numerous and range from improved sleep quality, healthier eating habits and lower stress levels.
Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good! It can also help you sleep better at night, making it easier for you to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed instead of groggy or tired. When we exercise regularly our mood improves because our brain releases more feel-good chemicals such as serotonin — this is why many people report feeling happier when they exercise regularly.
Exercise helps reduce stress levels by increasing blood flow throughout your body which helps clear out any negative emotions that may be stuck inside of you. When we feel stressed out about something it may cause us physical discomfort such as headaches or stomach pains but by moving our bodies we can release those feelings from within ourselves without having them affect us physically like before — which would then make us even more stressed than before!
Regular exercise also leads to improved self esteem because when someone sees themselves working hard towards a goal they begin feeling proud about their accomplishments; this will help boost morale while decreasing feelings
2. Nutrition- Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of self-care. If you aren’t eating well, your mental health will suffer. If you are eating well, however, it will be much more likely that your mental wellness will improve.
The best thing about nutrition is that by focusing on what you eat, you can actually make small changes that have a big impact on how well your mind and body work together. Nutrition isn’t complicated or hard to understand; it’s just a matter of making smart choices when it comes to food selection and preparation methods.
Here are some tips for getting started:
- Eat plenty of vegetables! This includes fruits as well — both types provide nutrients that are essential for maintaining good brain function throughout life (especially during adolescence). Try adding them into smoothies or salads instead of relying too heavily on meat-based meals all week long — over time this will lead towards better overall health outcomes down the road!
3. Sleep- We all know how important sleep is, but many of us are not getting the amount we need. Lack of sleep has been linked to a host of health issues such as obesity and diabetes, along with higher rates of depression and anxiety.
Sleep can feel like an elusive thing for many people, especially those with insomnia or other sleep-related conditions that make it difficult for them to get quality rest.
4. Having a solid support system in place-
Having a solid support system in place. This can be a friend, family member, or therapist. It’s important to surround yourself with people who love and accept you as much as you love and accept them — and that can be hard! But if you have a strong support system in place already it will make your life so much easier to deal with the stresses of everyday life. If you don’t have one yet, try looking for an online community (like our Facebook group).
Maintaining healthy habits & routines . I know there are many different opinions about what makes up a healthy routine but here are some things I’ve found helpful: meditating 20 minutes each day; doing yoga twice per week; eating breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up every morning; writing down one thing I’m grateful for every night before bedtime; setting aside time every afternoon/evening to exercise (this could mean going on walks after work while listening to podcasts); scheduling self care appointments into my calendar (ex: haircuts during lunch breaks), etc
5. Journaling and meditation-
Journaling is a great way to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper, so you can then forget about them for the time being. You don’t need to write an entire novel or even a short story; just free-form write whatever comes to mind, whether it is something that happened that day or something you’re worried about.
Meditation is another effective way to clear your mind and relax is meditation, which involves focusing on one thing (such as breathing) while blocking out all other distractions in order to achieve a state of peace and tranquility within oneself. While some people prefer guided meditations on CDs or podcasts, others like having the option of using their own voice during this process — which makes journaling an ideal activity if done before bedtime!
Can you please share a few of the main roadblocks that prevent people from making better self-care choices? What would you suggest can be done to overcome those roadblocks?
You may have heard the term “self care” thrown around. It sounds like something that only adults should be doing, but it’s not true! Self-care is a form of self-love, and it helps you take care of your mind and body. It’s also not selfish — it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself.
Self-care isn’t just about taking bubble baths and getting massages; it’s also about making sure that you’re eating right, sleeping enough at night, exercising regularly, spending time with friends or family members who make you feel good about yourself (or even alone time), meditating or praying every day (or whatever works for you). You don’t need to spend money on expensive spa treatments — all these things can improve mental wellness without spending any money at all!
The most important part about practicing self-care is finding what works best for YOU. Some people like reading books; others prefer listening to music while they relax in their beds before going to sleep at night; some people like working out outdoors while others prefer indoor gyms with treadmills or ellipticals machines.
In one sentence, what would you say to someone who doesn’t prioritize their mental well-being?
It’s important to remember that self-care is not just a luxury — it’s a necessity. When you neglect your physical and mental health, it can have serious ramifications for your well-being.
Thank you for all that great insight! Let’s start wrapping up. Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does this quote resonate with you so much?
“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
A life lesson quote is an important addition to any self-care practice, especially if you find that it resonates with your values and beliefs. This life lesson quote helps with reflecting on my own thoughts and feelings, which in turn helps improve mental wellness.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? They might just see this, especially if we both tag them :-)
Barack Obama because he is intelligent and laidback but also knows how to get things done.
I truly appreciate your time and valuable contribution. One last question. How can our readers best reach or follow you?
I hope you enjoyed my list of self-care practices that improve mental wellness. Remember, there are many ways to take care of yourself and some may work better than others — it’s all about finding what works best for you!
You can reach me at www.revivetherapeuticservices.com
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.
