MENTAL HEALTH DAY! THERE IS HOPE!
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October every year. Let’s make mental health and well being a priority! CONNECTING WITH NATURE can IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH: notice the trees, smell the flowers and listen to the birds. RESEARCH INDICATES that during the season of Covid 19 people connected more often with nature, which IMPROVED THEIR MOOD. Lakes, rivers, beaches, parks and countryside ASSISTS MOOD. PARTICIPATE in MUSIC, ART and JOURNALING to express your FEELINGS. SPEAK KINDLY to yourself. Set small PERSONAL GOALS. Exercise, practice deep breathing, reflect on what you are grateful for each day. Display ACTS of KINDNESS. Stroke and pat your PETS. Get PLENTY of SLEEP. SURROUND YOURSELF with POSITIVE PEOPLE. SEEK out NEW SOCIAL CONNECTIONS. EAT wholesome nutritious foods.
IT MAY BE HELPFUL TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE:
- When your mood is low or sad for a significant period.
- If you experience excessive worry and fear.
- Have difficulty in carrying out daily activities, and problems coping with stress.
- If you’re overly concerned about appearance and weight gain.
- Experience confused thinking and poor concentration.
- Experience sleep problems.
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
EMOTIONAL PAIN is not something that should be HIDDEN AWAY and never spoken about. “There is TRUTH in your pain, there is GROWTH in your pain, but only if it’s first brought out INTO THE OPEN”— Steven Aitchiso. “You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, DESERVE YOUR LOVE AND AFFECTION .” — Buddha
Robyn Taylor
BA(Macq), MA(Syd), Dip Clinical Psychology (Syd)