5 ways to look after your Mental Health
By Sandie Doyle – Hypnotherapist specialising in PTSD/Trauma and Anxiety
Sadly, our mental health is often the most over-looked part of our general well-being and yet it is just as important as our physical health. Poor mental/emotional health can often lead on to poor physical health and as a Hypnotherapist I see this a lot in my day to day work.
Many of my clients who come to me with anxiety/depression/PTSD will often be suffering from physical symptoms too, which disappear following their successful therapy.ie migraines, headaches, muscle pains, IBS, sleeplessness, to name a few.
We, as a country, are currently experiencing something completely alien to us and it is understandably throwing up all sorts of issues for many people surrounding their mental health. It is therefore very important to be aware of this and to take steps to look after our own mental wellbeing and keep an eye on those around us.
Here are some ways for you to look after yourself emotionally, not only during this difficult time, but going forwards too.
1. Connect with someone today
There is strong evidence that feeling close to people and feeling valued by them is not only extremely good for your well-being but also does the same for them thus helping to prevent mental illness.
There are several ways to connect with people
Pick up the phone instead of sending an email or maybe write a letter to an elderly family member or Skype call them.
Talk to someone new today.
Ask someone how their day/week has been and really listen to their answer.
Maybe make a plan to physically connect with a 1:1 coffee date when normality returns.
2. Do something physical
- Physical activity not only improves your mental health by releasing all those endorphins, the ‘feel good’ hormones, it can help increase life expectancy.
- Just 20-30 minutes of exercise or a brisk walk can produce enough endorphins to give you a mood and energy boost for up to 2-3 hours.
- There are lots of FREE exercise classes currently available on YouTube for all levels of ability, so why not timetable it into your day.
3. Look after yourself
Make time each day to relax. Whether it’s a nice soak in the bath with a good book, taking the dog or yourself for a walk or maybe listening to some music, whatever activity makes you feel relaxed.
Getting outside into nature is especially good for you, even just sitting in your garden enjoying the sunshine and listening to the birds can help.
Be sure to get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can exacerbate the symptoms of many mental conditions including anxiety and depression.
If you find yourself feeling anxious remember to breathe – in through your nose for a count of 2 and out through your mouth for a count of 4 as listed on the NHS website
4. Don’t compare your situation with others
This is particularly important at this current time with all the various government releases of help and advice for small businesses. It is very easy to fall into the trap of comparing our situation with other people and we always tend to minimise their situation and maximise our own thus increasing our own levels of anxiety.
5. Things to do
Don’t turn to drink or drugs as a way of combatting the stress and anxiety you may be feeling, these will only make you feel worse in the long run and lead to new problems
Accept what you can’t change – this is temporary and working in isolation is for the good of everyone
Use the time wisely – we are always complaining about having no time to do things so, now is the time to learn that foreign language, book on that social media course, cook your favourite meals, watch that box set,
Write a blog, enrol on an online course in something completely new, maybe photography?
Maybe try some mindfulness – great ideas here on the NHS website
Maybe try out these stress-busting apps from the NHS library
Thank you to our guest blogger today – Sandie Doyle from….
Tel: 07990 776718