Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week and while I am quick to stress that I am not a mental health expert, I did want to take some time to share some of my experiences with patients and understandings of how we can all do some really simple things to improve our mental health.
This last year has been particularly difficult with a sharp rise in mental health issues, and a lot of that is down to the anxiety of not knowing what is around the corner and the simple fact of isolation, not being able to spend time with our friends and loved ones.
Humans are pack animals, our make up is designed to be with other humans, emotionally we thrive off contributing to our herd, through giving and sharing. Being thrown into isolation removes that capability and combined with never really knowing when it is all going to end creates a spiral of negative emotions.
So, what can we do?
If we understand the simple fact that we thrive off human interaction and contribution, and understand the polarities of emotion, there are some really simple tasks that can be done daily which will make a profound impact on our emotions.
Connection. Connection is key and working with and contributing to other humans is essential for optimal brain biochemistry. When we give or do something for others it releases endorphins, that natural high that makes us feel great. You know when you selflessly do something for someone else, how good that makes you feel!
So my challenge to you, is not to try and find praise or ask people to do something for you. Flip it around, give first. You could give time, a compliment, or a contribution. But the simple act of giving will draw you closer to other human beings, to your neighbours and family. It will change your brain biochemistry to release the endorphins that make you happy.
Yes, it may be short-lived but if we all committed to doing something for someone else, once a day. What a difference that would make to our community!
The second thing we can do is challenge the narrative and paralysis of anxiety. Anxiety is the most common negative emotion, and it can freeze people, not knowing what is coming can be very unsettling. However, focusing on this will not help, for what we focus on grows, what we think about manifests.
My suggestion when it comes to anxiety is to think about the ‘opposites of emotion’. What is the opposite emotion of anxiety? Gratitude. The art of being grateful is the polar opposite emotion of anxiety and as such these two emotions can not co-exist. That is to say, if you think about things you are grateful for, in that moment, anxiety can not get into your thoughts.
Take time each morning and evening to think about 5 things you are grateful for. Really think about them, smell them, hear them, feel them. Enjoy that moment with your thoughts as if it were happening.
Of course, when you stop thinking about this, anxiety may creep back in. But consistency is key, take time each morning and evening to do this and just see what happens.
We all have a reason for being here and life can be tough sometimes, but health and healing never happen alone, that is what we stand for at Epoch, a community, and a family. Working together to improve health and happiness for our community.
With love
Tom
