Mental Health - The process
The Daily Work That Is….
Often I have people write to me asking for advice on how to stay “on top of things”. How I stay so bubbily and resilient in moments when most would fold & be defeated.
Generally I write back with what feels like a generic response of how you create positive by being positive and attract it yadda yadda.
But sometimes it really does take a little more than that. Over the past 8 years or so I have battled the demon that is depression/anxiety on and off through my late teens into my 20’s.
Most of the time I have found my lows and anxiety to be associated with specific events and it is generally justified to be feeling the way I did….
And then sometimes, there really is no general reason for why I feel the way I do.
Anyway, I’m not here to discuss the justification in how and why we feel anxiety..
Because unfortunately, sometimes there just is NO rhyme or reason as to why that horrible feeling in the depths of our stomach and the internal chatter that’s killing us, is there.
What I can tell you about though, is that it’s completely conquerable !
Being overly aware and feeling my surrounds can be a positive but it can also leave me open to take on the worries of the world, sound like you too? Well that would imply that you are a thinker and a feeler too – which as said, you can’t teach so generally are a wonderful thing.
The conclusion I have come to ? Over my many years of self study, observation and self awareness…..?
That mental health and wellbeing, is a routine…. Like maintaining our weight is a gym or exercise routine.
Why does it seem to foreign to apply the same to another functioning part of our body?
Answer: Well – because we don’t really TALK about it… Most people will comfortably go and have a conversation with their friends about how to alter their diet or gym routine to try and get better results… However, barely ever have I heard people
Openly talk about how they can improve their overall mental wellbeing.. Generally it takes a very open person, or a very honest relationship with a friend to tackle these sorts of conversations.
The science of it is, we need endorphins to survive mentally. And those endorphins can be depleted very quickly working in this fast paced modern world.
However, there IS HOPE! As like all great science, there a good theory in explanation- chemicals can be created. And the happy chemicals that we need to bounce around bubbily, if low can be found!!
Had a hard few weeks at work or uni? Friends or lovers not meeting the expectations you needed?
Find yourself feeling lower and lower.
Take a step back,
Have a look at where you’re at… With the hussle and bussle of life and your own thoughts.
What is your exercise routine looking like?
How about your diet?
Getting enough sleep?
Spending too much time on social networking sites?
Daily coffee, or 2, or 4?
And the one we generally forget – ALCOHOL: How much are you really taking in?
All of the above are MAJOR and solely can be the main reason you are feeling down because chemically you have not got the right balance within your mind.
We aren’t machines but our bodies function like them, if there’s no energy to fuel.. We can’t possible run at an optimum level.
We service our cars but often forget to service ourselves with the basisc.
So after looking at your circumstances , where are you lacking? And if you find you are pretty balanced on them all, I have one major suggestion.. MEDITATION or YOGA!
Overall the main factor I have found though is exercise. You might think that working out 3-4 times a week should be enough.
But in my personal experience I have found this… If I do not elevate my heartrate for at least 15 minutes every 36 hours. I am in a rutt, I might not necessarily be anxious or sad.
However, my ability to think, move and do has lost it’s ZEST and bounce….
This is why I have incorporated routine into my wellbeing….. I make sure that daily or every day and a half at minimum I move my body fast enough to sweat. The best advice anyone has ever given me was to make it like Nike and “Just do it” the result ALWAYS, ALWAYS.
Has been relief.. the difference is noticeable within about 8 minutes of moving.
Grab a skipping rope and start your sweating – record your mood in your smartphones notepad, before and after each time and see how you are feeling!
I GUARANTEE you will feel somewhat better each time… And remember, like building a rocking bod, everything takes building. Don’t expect to go from 0-100 in two sessions.
Each time will improve and if you keep working at it you will get back that sparkle.
Eh and ohs
Estelle.