Improving my Mental Health and Well-being

Two months ago, I made a life-changing decision for my mental well-being that had been brewing for two years: I changed my name from Sara Kay to Sunny Turner. At 57, you might wonder why someone older and well-established in the wellbeing sector would make such a significant change. Today, I want to share the beautiful, freeing journey of self-acceptance and authentic living behind this personal transformation.

For 57 years, I faced the same question about the pronunciation of my previous name virtually every day. It was draining my mental energy, and I felt like I had to explain my right to have a different spelling – a constant source of stress and anxiety that impacted my self-confidence.

The Moment The Decision Was Made: Finding Inner Peace Through Music

The decision of which name to choose started with Bobby Hebb’s song “Sunny.” Something inside me just knew. This wasn’t just a name change – it was a personal affirmation of who I’d become through my mental health struggles and journey from depression to discovering Laughter Yoga for stress relief. It was time to embrace my authentic self.

This wasn’t just a name – it was an affirmation, a declaration of who I’d become through all my struggles with mental health and life lessons. The name felt alive, like it had been waiting for me all along, representing my commitment to positive mental health and emotional well-being.

As someone who wears bright yellows and oranges, who has built a career bringing laughter therapy and positivity to others through Serious Laughter, “Sunny” felt like coming home to my true self. It represented my mental health recovery journey from depression to discovering Laughter Yoga for anxiety relief, and my commitment to maintaining an optimistic mindset despite life’s challenges.

The Power of Authentic Living and Mental Health Benefits

Two years ago, whilst talking with a close friend about personal growth and improving mental health, we chatted about what it might mean to live fully authentically and improve my mental wellbeing. In February this year, when I discovered the Bobby Hebb song, it felt like the universe confirmed what my heart already knew about embracing my authentic identity.

For 57 years, I’d been asked the same draining question about my previous name nearly every day, affecting my confidence and mental health. Now, instead of stressful explanations, I receive gorgeous compliments from strangers. People light up when they hear “Sunny” – it brings them joy and improves their mood before they even know what I do for mental health and wellbeing.

Besides being a clever play on words (unintentionally), Turner is my mother’s maiden name, and it felt good to share this as she has been my rock throughout my life, 2 marriages and coming out as LGBTQIA+ – supporting my journey of self-acceptance and authentic living.

The Challenges of Changing My Name

I won’t pretend this journey of self-discovery has been without challenges. My website had just launched when I decided to change my name, requiring immediate updates. The administrative side of personal reinvention takes months, including emails, accounts, and official documents.

The administrative challenges are real for anyone pursuing authentic living – websites to update, bank accounts, utilities and government documents to transition. But the mental health benefits and stress reduction have been extraordinary. It’s like a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. It’s no longer the first question asked at a meeting, reducing my social anxiety significantly!

Using my old email address whilst living as Sunny Turner feels oddly disconnected sometimes, but it’s a practical necessity whilst I transition everything over during this period of personal growth.

Better Mental Health and Reduced Stress

What I didn’t anticipate was how transformative this would be for my mental health and emotional well-being. It’s like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders, reducing daily stress and improving my self-confidence. When someone calls me Sunny, it’s a daily reminder that I can create my own inner sunshine and positive mindset. The name reflects not just my mental health journey, but the impact I want to make on the gorgeous humans I work with every day through authentic connections.

Are You Considering a Similar Transformation?

Here’s my advice for anyone considering personal transformation through a name change. Trust your intuition and gut feelings. Speak the new proposed name out loud, answering questions with your name – this self-acceptance practice is crucial for authentic living.

If changing your name feels like stepping into your authentic self and improving your mental wellbeing, it can be one of the most positive experiences for personal development you’ll have. Yes, there’s paperwork. Yes, some people might be confused initially. But the mental health benefits, stress reduction, and the alignment between your inner self and how you show up in the world? Absolutely transformational for emotional well-being.

Your name is often the first thing people know about you. Make sure it represents your authentic identity and supports your mental health journey.

After all, we all deserve to feel as vibrant and authentic as our true selves. Embracing authentic living is essential for good mental health and emotional well-being.

What’s held you back from living more authentically? How has self-acceptance impacted your mental health journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Sunny Turner is the founder of Serious Laughter, an FHT-accredited Laughter Yoga Teacher and Museum of Happiness Facilitator, specialising in stress relief, anxiety management and mental health support, serving Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales and the whole UK.