Prioritising Our Mental Health Throughout Life – What Can We Do?
By Millie Fuller
Mental Health isn’t a taboo subject anymore. In fact, Dr Adrian James has just been appointed as the NHS’ very first medical director for mental health and neurodiversity. Our wellbeing should be a priority throughout life but not everyone knows how to do it.
Mental wellbeing for any age or gender
Mental health can impact us, regardless of age or gender. How we feel can change how we cope with everyday life and communicate with others. Mental health issues can affect anyone, we must focus on looking after ourselves.
Signs of mental health struggles
There’s lots of things to look out for that might indicate mental health struggles. Spotting these struggles early in yourself or someone else can make a huge difference. The sooner they’re discovered, the quicker positive changes can be made.
Some signs of what to look out for:
- Changes in someone’s mood
- Sleeping issues
- Withdrawal from social settings
- Aches and pains with no explanation
- Changes in eating habits (eating more or less than usual)
- Self-harm or thoughts of suicide (these can be harder to detect)
- Quick to anger
- Increasingly tearful and sad
Stay close to your loved ones
Social interactions can help give us a sense of purpose and belonging. Our friends, family and community can be a shoulder to lean on during hard times. If you’re looking for more connections, joining a group is a brilliant idea or even volunteering. Interactions like these can reduce loneliness and lift your mood.
Coping With Life Changes
We go through several changes as we grow. Many of these are good transitions, but there are also going to be bumps in the road or just general stresses that come with life. Things like getting a mortgage or retiring can be positive changes but can also come with difficulty too.
If you’re finding things hard, speak to someone you trust. But if you’re becoming overwhelmed, book an appointment to see your GP
Being Mindful
Mindfulness is all about learning to live in the moment. People practice it to improve their mental wellbeing and connect to their feelings. You can do this through guided meditation or breathing exercises. Take your time and be patient, as they need to be practised regularly to see results.
Technology Can Help Towards Improving Mental Health
Although it can have its downsides, social media is a great communication tool. There’s also apps designed to support your wellbeing, many of which are free to download. An example includes the calm app, which has guided meditations as well as material to help you sleep.
Make time for your hobbies
This might be art, drama, music or sport. Depending on what your hobby is, this can increase social interactions and provide us with a sense of achievement. Two things which can help towards improving our mental health.
Pay Attention to Your Eating Habits
Falling into negative eating patterns is an easy thing to do, especially when we aren’t feeling good mentally. If we eat well, this can be a key ingredient for feeding our mind and making it a healthier place.
Summary
Everyone needs to have a focus on their mental health as they make their way through life. People have bad days, and that’s fine. But if you’re noticing significant issues, it might be time to seek support. It’s okay to need to reach out for help because everyone will struggle at some point in their life. You’re not alone!
Author Bio: Millie Fuller
A freelance writer and a big advocate for mental health based topics. In her spare time she’s either walking her dog or reading a good thriller.
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