Mental Health Awareness Week is this week. An important week to fight stigma.
Mental illness effects millions of us! MILLIONS. From depression to anxiety to PTSD to post partum.. etc
Do we talk about it? No.
Do we feel comfortable talking about it? No.
Do we feel judged? Yes.
Can we change this? YES!!
The more we talk about this subject rather than hiding from it, the more we will fight the stigma. Firstly, if you are going through something.. talk to a loved one or see your GP. I am not a professional. The tips below are things I do daily to make my life less stressful.
I am sharing with you things that I do daily to help keep my mind healthy. I hope these self-care tips help to relieve you from what you are feeling.
1. Journaling
Journaling slows your mind down and gives you focus. I make time to write three things I have achieved in my day however big or small it is. I sit outside on my balcony most nights, I light a candle and make a hot tea. I think about all the good in my day versus the negative stuff.
Journaling has been scientifically proven to assist a negative mindset. Give it a go! Dig deep and start thinking about what you have done well versus what you have not.
Example:
Monday 8th October
- I wrote a long blog post today
- I cooked a very healthy meal for my husband and I. He said it was very delicious!
- I went for a lovely nature walk today (2500 steps)
2. Therapy/Close Friend/Family
Therapy is a great way to offload and not feel judged but also be guided in a positive way. Therapy has a very negative stigma in itself. NO, you are not crazy if you see a therapist, you are smart. Smart in that you have a safe place to let out your troubles, and that your therapist can give you professional guidance.
Alternatively, speak to someone you trust. Suffering by yourself is the worst thing you can do for yourself. TALK, TALK, TALK!
“Maybe if we love ourselves healthy we will all heal?” ― Nikki Rowe
3. Nature
Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most effective. Spend some time in your garden, go for a walk, a run, go to a beach. I love sitting outside and taking some deep breaths. Even on a cold day, I take a blanket out and a hot tea and spend some time alone for 15-30 minutes.
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds.” ― Bob Marley
4. Technology/Negativity Detox
Time away from your TV, phone, laptop, tablet etc
I read online that there have been many studies connecting our technology addiction to stress and anxiety. I do believe there is some truth to this.
Dedicate 30-60 minutes a day without any technology. Spend that time writing, talking, meditating, working out, cooking.. there are so many other things we can do without technology. I have a "no phone at the dinner table" rule at home. I take a lot of photos of my home-cooked meals, I get that out of the way then I put my phone away while I eat a meal and give all my energy to my food and the people around me.
“Detoxify your thought and be free” ― Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
5. Meditation
I never thought meditation was for me. I thought I was too much of a busy body to meditate. I was, and that was the problem. I didn't give myself a chance to wind down mentally. I meditate using an app called "Insight Timer,' this app made it so easy to get into meditating. I listen to a sleep meditation every single night. I feel so much calmer and grounded.
I have said it twice and i'm going to say it once again to end this post. TALK, TALK, TALK!
All my love,
Alisha
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