How often do you remember to check in with your mental health?
Just as we do with our physical health, it’s important that we take the time to look after and invest in our mental state. It’s not something we should ignore until we feel mentally low; it’s something we should be considering every day.
And those who have more responsibilities may be more at risk of a mental health illness, since feelings of stress and anxiety may surface.
Each year, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem, according to Mind.org. That’s why it’s so important that we give our mental health the attention it deserves.
So, how can you look after your mental health?
Communicate with others
Having the responsibility of caring for a loved one can often come unsolicited and unexpected, and can often seem an unrealistic addition to an already busy lifestyle.
When getting to grips with caring for a loved one, it can be easy to forget to check in with ourselves. If neglected, feelings of stress and anxiety can start to show through our actions. It’s important to try and target these feelings before they develop - not only for your own health, but also for the benefit of your loved one.
One of the best ways you can prevent the onset of negative feelings is by taking the time to communicate with others. Whether that’s by taking the time to talk to a counsellor, having a cup of tea with a friend or getting yourself immersed in the wider community, you’ll retain a sense of purpose and self-esteem that might otherwise be lost.
Change your perspective
Have you ever stopped to notice the way you look at the world? Often, the way we feel about everyday situations stems from intrusive and unhealthy thoughts. So, in order to nip negative feelings in the bud, we need to tackle it at the source: our incoming thoughts.
Luckily, we can actively try to influence them. Try turning your negative thoughts around into positive ones; for example, if it’s raining heavily outside, don’t focus on what you can’t do. Instead, see it as an opportunity to spend quality time with your loved one playing board games, watching a film or reading a book together.
Live a healthy lifestyle
Many don’t realise it, but the mind and body are, in fact, interconnected. So when it comes to wondering what’s good for our mental health, the answer is right in front of our eyes. Anything that’s healthy for our physical body is nourishing for our minds, too; particularly exercise.
When we engage in physical exercise, it releases feel-good hormones (endorphins). These give us an instant mood boost, whilst in the long-term, helping us to approach life’s situations with more vigour.
Remember to eat healthily, too. Our mental health thrives from nutritious foods, in particular fruits, vegetables and healthy fats (such as oily fish and nuts).
Practise mindfulness
The connection between our body and mind can be strengthened through mindfulness. Rather than a practice, it’s more a state of being, and defines the approach we take to everyday life.
You can take a mindful approach to almost everything you do; from brushing your hair, to reading a book or taking a stroll outdoors. Put simply, being mindful is focusing on the present moment, letting any thoughts of the past or present drift away.
Focusing your mind solely on your present activity can take some practice, but it’s well worth trying. You can do this by engaging all of your senses; for example, noticing the smells, sounds and sights that surround you.
Not only does mindfulness help negative thoughts drift away, but your body will respond with feelings of peace and tranquility. And in the long-term, you’ll develop the skills to approach everyday situations with a more calm, rational state of mind.
Take some ‘me’ time
Whilst we’re working to our busy time schedules, it can be easy to forget to take time for ourselves. However, it’s important that we remember to do so every now and then to avoid mental and physical exhaustion.
So, make sure to schedule some ‘you time’ into your diary each week. Whether that’s taking the time to learn something new, picking up an old hobby, reading the chapter of a book or simply taking a hot bath, it’s important we allow ourselves time to indulge in activities we enjoy.
Taking on the role of a caregiver is never an easy task, and life can often feel overwhelming. But with new perspective and the ability to recognise when help is needed, you can begin to keep your mental health in check, too.
Mental health is close to all of our hearts here at CHD Living, and we’re always thinking about how we can offer support to those who need it. To find out more about our services, please click here.