Create a kind mind
Each week I am fortunate to meet with clients both young and old and have daily conversations with them about mental health and the importance of why we should look after our minds. Therefore in recognition of Mental Health Awareness week I have decided to start a Blog and share some of these discussions on a public platform.
This week a lot of people will hopefully be discussing Mental Health and thinking about what it means to them. As a result of the pandemic one thing that has been brought to the forefront is spreading awareness and the importance of Mental Health.
I truly believe this has helped to remove the stigma and encourage people to have conversations and discussions that previously would have been seen as a taboo.
After all let’s be honest Mental Health is Something we all can suffer with and therefore have in common with each other and subsequently need not feel ashamed.
I came across a interesting fact this week which is ‘One in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health issue each year.’
Taking this into consideration that would imply that for the average family. Group of friends, colleagues in your office, neighbours on your street, or fellow students in your class at School,College or University.
At least one person may be struggling.
So what can you do or how can you help?
Firstly it is as simple as just being aware of this and being kind to each other and to yourself.
As it’s quite possible that someone you may know hasn’t openly shared their struggles but would like too and is hiding it very well.
However it is also likely they may not be aware that there are any issues at all however it’s manifesting in other behaviours.
Or maybe they don’t know where or how to seek help and need a little support in directing them to a professional.
They could also be waiting for the opportunity for you to genuinely ask them how they are and actually wait for the answer. It’s a very British custom to ask how a person is but really not want to know!
I will never forget a couple of years ago I came home after a long day and saw my neighbour who was mowing his lawn who asked me how I was. I vividly remember seeing the expression on his face when I genuinely told him about my commute and he looked at me as though he didn’t really expect me to tell him all the details! I know I definitely felt better for it though.
Whatever the scenario is, just check in, get talking and ask them how they are. How they really are?
Maybe it feels awkward at first or even nosey but perhaps that’s exactly what they just may need, someone who is there to listen and talk too.
If you yourself are personally struggling then please know that it is also ok to struggle and try to be kind to yourself. Chose wisely what you tell yourself, how you treat yourself, what or whom you surround yourself with and don’t be afraid to ask for help and reach out whether it is to a friend or to a professional.
There is no shame, or judgment attached to this. Just remember that sometimes the best person that can look after yourself, is you.
Many of us take a conscious effort to look after our bodies by eating healthier, exercising or going to the gym.
But what about our minds? Surely they should be equally just as important? How are you looking after that? With positive thoughts and affirmations or negative ones? Are you actually being kind to yourself? Ask yourself that.
If you are then that’s great, keep it up and continue to look after yourself. You will thank yourself in the long run for it!
However if you are someone who finds this challenging, explore why this maybe.
Are you feeling anxious and worried but don’t know why?
Sometimes we really don’t know the reason because we won’t allow ourselves the time to even process those thoughts or sometimes we do know the reason but aren’t ready to deal with it just yet.
Just think though the same way you may give yourself a New Years resolution. Give yourself a resolution to look after your mind, almost as though it’s a garden that needs maintenance, nurturing, loving and fertilising in order to grow and blossom and don’t forget to be kind to your mind and fill it with good thoughts.
Take care.
Carole
