Mental Health Awareness Week
So, as we enter week 432…., (or whatever if is) of the 2020 lockdown there is no better time to be thinking of each others mental health.
This week is Mental Health Awareness week and soI have chosen this subject for the weekly blog in the hope of raising as much awareness as possible about something that gets overlooked only too often.
With over 7000 deaths in the UK by suicide in 2019, and that number increasing year on year, we all need to take a step back and look at what we can do to get these numbers down. By supporting those that are vulnerable and at high risk of suffering from mental health issues we can do our bit.
Let’s be honest, we all have mental health, but some peoples is in better shape than others. as we battle with the challenges of the world we live in today. The lockdown we are in, is just one of the mental battles we face on a daily basis, but outside of this we also have issues society throws at us: how we look, have we got enough money to pay the bills, what other people might think of us. These are all factors which have an impact on both our self-confidence and our state of mind.
In most cases people deal with these things on their own, in their head, without sharing them with those around them that care. But his does not need to be the case, there are plenty of support networks out there that we can talk to if we do not feel comfortable opening up to our close freinds and family.
As a fitness professional I am a BIG believer in using exercise to help keep your mind strong. A healthy body = a healthy mind, and together these two together make us stronger to deal with the challenges that are thrown at us a daily basis.
So, the first step is to make sure we get some form of exercise every day. This does not have to be an hour lifting weights in the gym (which is lucky as they’re all closed at the minute) or going out for a 100 mile bike ride, just 30 minutes of walking outside in the fresh air can be enough.
The second step us to share your worries. Don’t keep things bottled up inside. There is always someone there to listen, so be open and tell someone how you are feeling.
Ask people how they are, ask them what their worries and be there to listen. We won’t always have the answer, but we may well just help them deal with what is on their mind.
And finally BE KIND. It takes nothing to smile at people. Whilst we are in lock down and following the social distancing guidalines we can’t go round hugging and shaking hands with everyone, but we can just give them a smile as we pass by. We are all out walking, running and cycling at the moment to get our daily fix of fresh and exercise to be concious of everyone you pass and at the least give them a smile.
If you need some advance, or just someone to talk too then there are plenty of websites out there, but I would start with clicking on the image in this post which will take you to the Mental Health Foundation website.
#bekind #kindnessmatters
