Looking After Mental Health

TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

For many of us, our mental well-being has suffered a decline over the past 18 months or so, due to the adverse consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic 😷, including the numerous periods of lockdown we have endured ⛔️. So now, more than ever, it is extremely important to have conversations about mental health 💬, recognising that we need to treat our mental health with the same level of care that we treat our physical health 🧠.

Recently I conducted a survey on this topic, collecting data from 35 of my peers, aged 16-50.

• 94% of participants said their mental health has suffered as a result of the pandemic.

• 55% of people said this was due to feeling isolated or lonely ☹️, 40% said it was due to stress surrounding education 🏫, especially online learning, and 5% had other reasons, for example loss of income 💰️ or bereavement.

These results show the extent to which Covid has taken a toll on our mental well-being.

• No one should have to suffer in silence 🤐.

• Although there have been huge strides made in de-stigmatizing mental health, it is still not talked about enough, especially in terms of how to look after it.

• Below I have gathered some of the most simple, yet effective ways to take care of your mental health.

Talking to others about how you’re feeling 💬🗯️:

• Many of us believe that opening up to others about our struggles makes us appear vulnerable or weak, but it in fact, shows the opposite.

• Having the courage to talk about your mental health shows nothing but strength and wanting to take charge of your well-being.

• Someone just listening to you talk about something that’s been on your mind for a while can make you feel supported and loved.

• Verbally accounting your stresses may even make them feel less overwhelming.

• Additionally, it may encourage the other person to open up to you as well, making you feel less alone.

Physical activity 🏃🏊️:

• Regular exercise is associated with lower rates of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

• Exercising causes your body to release endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling in the body.

• It doesn’t have to be strenuous physical activity, any kind of regular physical activity, including walking, does the trick.

Some examples of how to implement activity into your daily routine without having to make too much time:

• Go for walks when convenient 🚶🏻 e.g., at lunchtime

• Take the stairs instead of the lift whenever possible

• Walk or cycle to work 🚴🏽 if it’s a reasonable distance

• Aim to walk a set amount of steps daily (recommended 10,000) , track using pedometer ⌚️ or phone, and reward yourself when you reach your goal!

Meditation 🧘🏽:

• Meditating can take one into a deep state of relaxation.

• Focusing your attention on the meditation you are doing can eliminate the jumbled thoughts in your mind that may be causing you stress.

• Even if this is just a temporary relief, it can make all the difference.

• Engaging in meditation regularly can have a drastic positive effect on your mental health in general.

• There is a plethora of YouTube videos containing guided meditation that you can use, all you need is a few minutes and a quiet room. 

Learning new skills 📚️:

• Research has shown that just learning a new skill can have a positive effect on your well-being.

• It can raise your self-esteem, whilst also possibly giving you a sense of purpose.

• Furthermore, the skill may allow you to connect with new people who you wouldn’t have had the chance to meet before.

• If you decided to take up knitting, you could join a knitting club!

Some things you could try if you feel you don’t have enough time are:

• Learning to cook a new dish 🍽️

• Learning the meaning of 5 words of a different language every day 🌍️

• Learning to knit 🧶

• An ongoing DIY project e.g., fixing up a bike 🚲️

• Learning to whistle

• Reading 📖
  

Asking for help:

• If you’ve tried reaching out to family and friends, and all the above, and are still feeling overwhelmed, please do not be afraid to seek professional help.

• It does not make you weak, it makes you incredibly strong.

You could:

• Join a support group, where everyone there understands what you're going through to some extent .

• Find a counsellor to help you deal with your feelings 🗣️.

• Additionally, if your mental health is affecting your ability to function and proceed with your daily life, please make an appointment with your GP

Mental health is so important to look after, I hope these tips prove useful in improving yours. Remember, that although actively taking care of your mental health is unlikely to make you the happiest person alive, it will certainly allow you to cope better when times are tough and enable you to make the most of your life.

Samaritans (24/7) - 116 123 Samaritans

Saneline (4:30 – 10:30pm) - 0300 304 7000 Saneline

National Suicide Prevention hotline (24/7) - 0800 689 5652 National Suicide Prevention Hotline

By Jessica Dunne

i-Medics Ambassador