World Mental Health Day
It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health and the theme this year is 'Mental health is a universal human right'. We applaud this and whole heartedly agree that this is as equally important as physical health. However, why is it that unless we have a broken limb or bone that forces us to a standstill, some of us are yet to prioritise time, to give love and care to our mental wellbeing.
Understanding mental health
What actually is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotions, psychological and social wellbeing. This can affect how we think, feel and act. This in turn also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make those healthy choices.
So, if our mindset isn't in a good, healthy place you can see how this can definitely impact our daily lives and the choices we make every day. Often then the smallest thing can tip us over the edge leaving us overwhelmed and a feeling that we are unable to cope.
The benefits of mindfulness for mental health
We should never underestimate the positive impact mindfulness can have on us. To practice mindfulness, you first of all need to commit the time by allowing yourself time away from doing those never-ending chores you have on your 'to do 'list. As they are never ending!
According to MIND Mindfulness aims to help you:
Become more self aware
Feel calmer and less stressed.
Feel more able to choose how to respond to your thoughts and feelings.
Cope with difficult or unhelpful thoughts.
Be kinder towards yourself.
By thinking about the present, helps you not overthink the past or anxious about the future, which we can all be guilty for at times, I'm sure. An example of being present would be to take notice of your surroundings and focusing on the task in hand. It can be anything from making a cup of coffee, to eating some food or at this very moment as you read this article. Give it a go!!
How to manage stress and anxiety
If you are lucky enough to know how to manage your own stress bucket so it doesn't overflow, then you are doing great!! We can of course have good and bad days, highs and lows but it's how we manage those stressful moments, so we don't drown in the overwhelming stress and anxiety. A little stress isn't a bad thing, it can give us a purpose, but we have to know how to keep our wellbeing in a good place.
We asked colleagues here at Wellbeing what makes you happy?
Take a look below at the responses we received
The importance of self-compassion in mental health
Treat yourself with as much kindness as you would treat your best friend. You may have heard something similar, but along those same lines! We can be so supportive and kind to friends and family around us, even strangers, but we often give less compassion to ourselves. If we can practice tendencies to be more supportive and understanding of ourselves rather than have harsh criticisms or judgement, how lovely this would feel!
We can learn by standing by 4 pillars of compassion and practice exercising:
Compassion
Empathy
Sympathy
Forgiveness
By 'exercising' this can be the same as physical exercise, but where we can improve our kindness.
Celebrities who have spoken about mental health
Mental health can affect anyone, and the more and more people can be open and talk about mental health can help raise awareness and reduce the stigma. Below are a list of people you may, or may not know who have opened up about their struggles with depression, anxiety and mental health. According to Bazaar.
Ryan Reynolds - "I never, ever slept. Or I was sleeping at a perfect right angle - just sitting straight, constantly working at the same time," he told Variety, describing the anxiety he experienced while filming Deadpool. "By the time we were in post [production], we'd been to Comic-Con, and people went crazy for it. The expectations were eating me alive."
Beyonce - "It was beginning to get fuzzy I couldn't even tell which day or which city I was at. I would sit there at ceremonies and they would give me an award and I was just thinking about the next performance," she told The Sun in 2011. "My mother was very persistent and she kept saying that I had to take care of my mental health."
Emma Stone - "The first time I had a panic attack I was sitting in my friend's house, and I thought the house was burning down. I called my mom and she brought me home, and for the next three years it just would not stop," Emma Stone told the Wall Street Journal.
Things you can do to help your mental health
Here at Wellbeing we want you to know that we are here to help! We also understand how important it is to feel empowered and to know that there are things you can do right NOW!
Did you know that we offer FREE weekly social events hosted by our warm and friendly Community Development Team. You can register your place today at one of our events, we offer online and face to face groups, so there is something for everyone!
Check out what we are offering you this month, click here.
If you are feeling low, worried, or maybe suffering with anxiety, we are here to help. You can call us Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm, on 0300 123 1503 , or can self refer anytime directly via our website.
For free the Wellbeing service offers:
CBT(Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
