Before Mental Health America, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting overall well-being, established May as Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949, the term “mental health” was already stigmatized, largely due to widespread misinformation about its importance.
Today, though, the climate has shifted. Mental health conversations are embraced and encouraged, thanks in part to the tireless efforts of social media advocates who use platforms like Instagram and TikTok as safe havens for sharing mental health experiences, offering support and providing information beyond geographical boundaries.
That’s the case with Boca Raton native Lexi Hidalgo, 23, a social media influencer, podcaster and yoga instructor whose mindful lifestyle approach resonates with over three million followers.
Reflecting on her journey, Hidalgo says, “I’ve been talking about mental health on my social media from pretty early on. I would talk through what I was learning through life while I made a coffee in my backyard.”
For her, guiding her social media followers (whom she fondly refers to as her “best friends”) toward self-fulfillment is not only Hidalgo’s pastime but, as she asserts, her calling. By doing so, she helps others find comfort, community and friendship. “Being vulnerable is powerful!” she says.
That dedication defines Hidalgo’s pursuits. She began practicing yoga to ease her anxiety and depression during middle school and became a teacher to help others struggling with the same. She also hosts “The Moments Podcast,” a platform she created in 2021, where she offers mental health advice for people her age.
Last month, Hidalgo published “The Moments Journal,” a guided book for self-introspection and emotional exploration. After three years in the making, it’s now available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Target.
In the book, which is designed as a colorful journal, Hidalgo combines affirmations with thought-provoking prompts, encouraging people to remain centered, embrace what matters to them and prioritize what nourishes them.
“Journaling is such a wonderful outlet for self-reflection and self-growth, and I encourage everyone of every age to get a ‘Moment’s Journal,’ not just because I created it, however, I love that too … but because I think that it’ll benefit you more than you recognize,” she notes.
Hidalgo explains that there are different ways to monitor your mental health, such as through therapy or journaling. She also urges followers to actively participate in their community for an extra boost of emotional well-being. For her, Try Country Animal Rescue has been her greatest source of joy. “It has filled me with so much love and appreciation,” she adds.
Although a jet setter at heart who believes the world is full of never-ending beauty, Hidalgo calls Boca Raton home. With its picturesque ocean views, vibrant local scene and abundant opportunities for mindfulness, she envisions spending a lifetime in the area. “Also, my parents grew up here! Gotta keep the tradition alive!” she says.
Lexi Hidalgo
For more information on Lexi Hidalgo and The Moments Journal, visit the momentspodcast.com.