When I first started feeling unwell and needing help I turned to the vast network of information called the Internet. This at times is as helpful as it is unhelpful. However key Internet sites of mainly charities that work towards better understanding and support of mental health offer some of the best advice.
My favourite is from Minds Ecominds project. There are 5 steps to well being to help anyone have better mental health.
As they say "We know that eating five portions of fruit and veg a day can help us to keep us healthy. But researchers have found that people who introduce the following five steps into their lifestyle can improve their mental wellbeing too.'
In this blog I am going to discuss each one briefly and how I try to say how I include them in my life. They are not perfect but they do really help to keep my wellbeing going on a even keel. It is not to say it will work for everyone but they are little steps that may help.
1. Connect
Advice: Build those connection with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Think of these people as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing these relationships. Building stronger connections will support and enrich your life.
Me: This can be a hard one as if your feeling low you may not want to see people or think people want to see you. I try and do the following.
1. Make time to see or chat on the phone to friends that are close to me locally and do dinner or just a chat and a cup of tea.
2. For those of my friends that live further try and arrange a weekend at some point to meet up and do something.
3. I try to be honest with how I am feeling with colleagues even though they do not know my history or depressive streaks. So if I am feeling tired or down I say that to people and now I am starting a new job I will be honest with those around me.
4. I try and do new activities where I will start to meet new people and build new connections through similar interests.
2. Be Active
Advice: Step outside. Go for a walk or run. Cycle, play a game, dance. Exercising makes you feel good. More importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Me: For this to work you have to choose activities that you like. If anyone suggests going to the gym that makes me feel depressed before I even get there. By choosing something you like your more motivated to go and do it. Also choose something you can see your own progress in. I comfort eat and so I see the positives of exercise is loosing that weight. I do the following:
1. Pilates - helps both physically and mentally. It builds a strong core, builds connections in your body and you are able to do it on every level. I started because I had back problems which have just about gone now.
2. Dancing - something I will blog more about but its something I have always done. I currently do pole dance and I love it because it is a challenge to me and that motivates me to go and get better.
This does not mean I don't find it hard getting my arse out of the house to go and be active. I just know if I go I will feel better and it gives me such a buzz when I come home.
3. Take notice
Advice: Be curious. Catch sight of something beautiful today. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking, eating lunch or talking to friends. Awareness of the world around you, what you are feeling and your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
Me: This is one I probably do not have solid examples of. I have tried to take more notice of what I eat, what my friends are doing, what music I like. I try and be thankful for small things that happen during the day. How the mornings are starting to get lighter and spring seems to be on its way.
4. Keep Learning
Advice: Try something new or rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Learning new things is fun and will make you more confident.
Me: A lot of this comes under being active for some things. I have decided to take a new direction in my teaching career so I am always learning new things about special needs, disability and autism. I am enjoying learning how to cook new things from scratch without adding jars of sauce or packet mixes.
5. Give
Advice: Do something nice for a friend, or even a stranger. Take time to thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out as well as in. Seeing yourself and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with people around you.
Me: Sometimes it is just little things like I agree to help a friend with something or have a look on internet for something they need. At work I help those that may not have the ICT skills or share things I have created for my class. I have also volunteered with GirlguidingUK for the last few years and love being a leader and giving a chance for other girls to develop skills outside of traditional education.
I know that at times even doing one of these things can feel too much when you are really low but they can help in small ways. Being active might be as simple of a walk round the block or a game on the wii but it may give you that little encouragement to try more. Connecting might be texting a friend or having a coffee after work with someone.
Do you think any of these would help you to feel better?
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