Easy Mental Health Boosts
Summer holidays!
The phrase conjures up endless summer days filled with sunshine and joy.
Relaxing on a beach with children happily occupied, the routine of work and school a distant memory.
Families save all year for the big "get away" to escape the monotony and stress of work, and for a week or two, can transport themselves to an alternative world which is seen as the saving grace for their mental health
The Pandemic hit holidays hard, as the entire world was out of bounds, and it is only now that families and individuals are once more jetting off for a long awaited change.
Unfortunately, due to a variety of reasons, prices for just about everything have risen, which has had a huge impact on everything, including holidays.
This doesn`t affect everyone of course, but for many it does, and quite dramatically.
To date, in the U.K. this year, we have not been blessed with summer weather.
It is now the second half of July, and the sun seems to have deserted us.
Schools are now on holiday, so there may be a last minute scramble for bookings abroad, as many who may have planned to stay in the U.K, were banking on having some warm sunny days.
However, if budgets are tight, and a holiday is not possible, all may not be lost, as there are inexpensive ways to alter our mindset which can be done close to home.
It is clear from many statistics, that anxiety and mental health issues have increased, both in adults and children.
The causes appear to be varied.
Stress attached to work and school, appear to be major contributory factors.
Children and young people are also influenced by social media, which can exert all kinds of negative pressures, such as bullying and sending out messages of images and lifestyles to which the young audience think they should aspire.
Adults are similarly bombarded by thinking they must have certain material acquisitions in order to be happy and successful.
The Covid pandemic is also blamed for a general deterioration in mental health, as being isolated at home without social interaction, plus perhaps suffering from the fall out of the outbreak itself, had a very negative influence on all age groups.
It stands to reason that although Covid is still present in our communities, it appears to be milder, and more manageable, so everyone now wants to make up for lost time and travel widely.
Despite this being possible, the numbers of people having mental health issues are not decreasing.
Unfortunately, mental health services are drastically underfunded and lacking in staff to address the problem.
GP`s sadly reach for prescriptions and dish out anti depressants and anti anxiety medication as a stop gap, as they have few options to turn to and are often suffering symptoms themselves as working under stressful conditions.
I have mentioned in previous blogs, that we can do a great deal ourselves to alleviate some of the unpleasant symptoms of poor mental health.
It appears that our thoughts which are manufactured in our brain, are responsible for setting the agenda for our mindset.
If our thoughts are constantly of a stressful nature, or have a feeling of overload, that is translated into a sense of agitation and panic which can result in a feeling of inadequacy and low self esteem.
We feel we are not achieving what we think we should, in other words we don`t feel good enough. We constantly compare ourselves with others and aspire to buy further material things in order to compensate or keep up.
It becomes a viscous circle, with the end result being stress and unhappiness.
It requires some fairly radicle decision making on the part of the individual.
Do they continue with this lifestyle, or do they take a step back and make a few alterations which could make a difference?
In order to change the thought patterns, a different set of subject material must be fed in. A fast pace of life may well have to slow down in order for the brain to calm itself, and deal with a different set of information.
Think of the analogy of a spinning hamster wheel. The faster it spins, the less the wheel can be observed. It is only when the wheel slows down that certain colours or identifications, or indeed the hamster can be seen.
What can we do?
There are many things which we can do to help ourselves. Some are very simple and cost nothing, others may involve some financial outlay but usually affordable.
There is much talk of Meditation and Mindfulness.
MEDITATION involves taking some time and training the body and mind to relax and slow down to the point where ideally, thoughts are blocked out entirely.
This takes practice as the natural thing to do is for the
brain to constantly return to stressful thoughts or worries. Replacing these thoughts with more relaxing ones such as sounds of nature, can help achieve a more relaxed state of mind.
MINDFULNESS is concentrating on what is happening in the immediate here and now, and eliminating thoughts of the past or the future.
The idea is to be aware of what is going on inside and outside of your body. Not only your thoughts, but what is happening in the physical space around you.
Many places of work have adopted Mindfulness classes for employees to reduce stress levels.
YOGA, is a tried and tested method, consisting of some gentle exercise which relaxes the body and also calms the mind.
TAI CHI is also popular for relaxing the body and mind and aligning them into a state of balance.
Classes are widely available for all of these disciplines, plus much is available online.
However, one of the most simple and effective things which can start to turn things around is to get close to nature.
It will be easy for some, and require a little bit of effort for others depending on where they live.
It needn`t be complicated. Most cities and towns have a park or green space which can be accessed, ideally by walking there, which also ticks the exercise box.
It can be finding a space to read a book, or chat to a friend, but it also involves looking around and observing nature.
Contrast how quiet and restful it is compared to the busy traffic which may be close by. Feel how your brain and thoughts begin to slow down and unwind.
Look at how calming the green leaves are and the colours of flowers. Listen to the birds and the sound of water.
For those who can venture into the country or by the sea, really look and listen to the natural world and appreciate what a wonderful thing that it is.
There will be very few people who do not feel more relaxed and in a better frame of mind after a spell appreciating nature.
The new government has pledged to built a huge number of badly needed houses.
Of course some will have to be built on some green spaces which is unfortunate for those already living in these areas, who feel strongly about their green spaces being invaded, but people require to be housed.
It is surely an opportunity for town planners, architects and appropriate organizations to get together and make sure that new housing areas make the best use of green spaces and encourage the benefits of the natural world in a positive way for everyone to enjoy.
Although still not back to fulfilling official royal duties, Catherine, Princess of Wales has made reference to the opening of the new Natural History Museum Gardens.
She had visited the site whilst under construction, and emphasized what a positive effect the natural world has on our physical, mental and spiritual well being.
Quite possibly she will be making the most of the great outdoors herself to help with her own recovery.
We may not be having a sunny summer, but there can be an alternative which you may not have thought of before.
Children love the wide open spaces and the natural world, and it is such a pity that nowadays so many children are denied the experience.
Despite the weather, why not gather up your family, go on your own, or with a friend, get a picnic together, put on some sensible clothes and find somewhere you can enjoy nature and send some calming and relaxing signals to your brain.
You will have had some exercise, fresh air, and hopefully some fun and relaxation without much cost.
You Tube is full of helpful videos of relaxation techniques, the natural world, and examples of people doing all sorts of things to escape the constant merry go round which is causing so much stress and unhappiness.
Don`t forget that a sensible diet and having adequate sleep is also important for good mental health.
So whether you venture far afield to catch the sun, or stay closer to home, remember that the natural world is out there, every day, in all weathers, and can offer us peace and tranquillity, to calm our stressful lifestyles.
It works both ways of course, as we must also take care of the natural world so that it can take care of us.
DISCLAIMER:
The information referred to is widely publicised and available.
It is useful as a general self help support in promoting good mental health or used alongside prescribed mental health treatment.
Medical advice should be taken if mental health issues are a concern.
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