At any one time, 1 in 4 people are experiencing poor mental health, albeit to varying degrees of severity.
I have experienced poor mental health at different times in my life and to varying degrees, as have many other people I know. Depending on what I’m thinking and how I’m feeling, I’ve used a number of strategies to manage my own mental and emotional health, including:
- Reminding myself that my mental or emotional state is temporary and will change.
- Monitoring my mind and mood to look for improvement or deterioration.
- Keeping my negative internal voice in check – including silencing it, being kind to myself and thinking positive thoughts to counter the negative voice.
- Asking from help, support and understanding from family & friends.
- ‘Off loading’ to friends.
- Distracting Myself.
- Sleeping – I guess you could say avoidance here.
- Taking time out to rest and relax.
- Meditating.
- Imagining and Visualising a better future – giving me hope that things will get better.
- Reading for Pleasure
- Having an up-beat music playlist.
- Being creative to connect with my soul.
- Visiting my GP.
How do you manage your own mental and emotional health? Leave a comment below.
I’ve wrote a series of Mental Health Focus blog posts to help to #EndTheStigma around mental health and to encourage others to talk openly and honestly about their own mental health.
If you are experiencing an episode of poor mental health, two useful websites are: Mind and SANE. If you are feeling suicidal please visit your nearest A&E Department for crisis support.
Blog soon,
Antony
