When someone says "be mindful," what does that mean? Be polite? Be aware? Stay connected? Well, it may mean all of those things, but above all, "be mindful" means to be present and active in the moment. A natural reaction, for some, may be to suppress or redirect negative feelings. Bad life events are hard to deal with, so why not just not deal with them? Out of sight, out of mind. Well...kind of. Those suppressed emotions will pop up again. You may experience an anxiety attack seemingly out of nowhere. You may get irrationally mad at someone you love. You may get an ulcer. The point is, emotions don't just go away. Mindfulness is a technique that allows you to acknowledge what you may be going through, accept it, and either let it go or find the appropriate place for it in your life. Mindfulness teaches us to "disengage, " as author Sarah Boseley puts it, from negativity. It allows us to shift our focus to what's in front of us, dealing with things head on, accepting them, and continuing on with the greatness of our lives. If you miss focusing on the greatness of your life, take a look at the article "Mindfulness as Effective as Pills for Recurrent Depression" in The Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/apr/21/mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy-treatment-chronic-depression-antidepressants?CMP=fb_gu

Depression doesn't always look like a sad silhouette staring out a rain covered window. Often it looks like...well, us. As if the person is fine. Did you know that? For many suffering from depression, covering up the anguish is a daily routine. Making it so others don't have to worry. Making it so we can function appropriately when we have to. Making us feel as if there is some hope to faking it until we make it feel better and not empty or heavy. Depression does not always look like sadness. Sometimes, depression looks like a smile.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/laurasilver/this-is-what-depression-really-looks-like#.ymqQLjxQ0

Facebook is a platform that a majority of people use to connect with others, convey emotions, and share life experiences. Sometimes, though, signs are present that someone you know is struggling and in need of a lifeline. Be that lifeline. Facebook has found a way to begin to help.

http://mic.com/articles/111426/facebook-just-unveiled-a-new-feature-that-could-save-countless-lives

Slow, rhythmic breaths. Relaxed, warm muscles. Clear, focused mind. Meditation has the potential to work wonders on your stress levels and your soul. When done routinely, meditation can have a profound effect on how you handle your world and the people in it. Need some extra reasons why you need to start meditating? Read through the quick snapshot of meditation below.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/gyanyankovich/this-is-what-happens-to-your-brain-when-you-meditate#.ylke9RQex

"Mental illness" sounds like a nasty label. It is a phrase that makes many people nervous and uncomfortable. It conjures, for some, images of widely uncontrolled individuals. Someone who is not them. Going to speak with a mental health counselor or therapist, therefore, may feel like you are being lumped in with the unruly group of mental illness. Fact is that most people do not scare at the term "physical illness" -- if we  are physically ill, we WANT to try to get better. To overcome. To be well. If we are mentally ill, most times it simply means we have something that ails our minds that needs to be healed. The catch, though, is that we need to WANT to try to get better. To overcome. To be well. For many, the idea of delving into our thoughts and emotions is too foreign. You may push down those dark feelings, push out those negative thoughts, say you're ok when you feel anything but ok. You cannot get better...that is unless you acknowledge those thoughts and feelings and move beyond them. Unless you heal. Want to run a mile but have a sore leg? You rest. Want to go out with friends but keep sneezing? You rest. Want to watch a movie but have a migraine? You rest. You rest, nurture, and recuperate. You've been taught how to do that your whole life and who to see (a doctor) if you can't get through it alone. Maybe, just maybe, you've had a nagging stress you can't shake. Maybe at night you just can't fall asleep. Maybe you can't focus long enough to finish something you need to. Maybe, just maybe, you can't get through it alone. Hi. I'm Elizabeth. I'm here to help guide you through this and help you get better. Overcome. Be well.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kirstenking/shocking-facts-that-show-how-widespread-mental-illness-is#.hf8g1R3gY