World Mental Health Day

10th October is World Mental Health Day and it is important to raise as much awareness as possible about the importance of mental health and how it is just as valid as your physical health.

We are starting to see more discussions being had online and on television about mental health and is highlighting how crucial it is to be aware of how of how you are feeling. Where ever possible it is important to share awareness of mental health and to check in with yourself and your loved ones regularly to make sure they are doing okay.

As October 10th is World Mental Health Day I feel that I should use my platform to connect with others, share my previous experience and just to make other feel less alone or worried about their own mental health.

I thought that it be good to share my mental health journey and it shows that things get better and it can be easily managed. You are not alone. I first started experiencing anxiety in my late teens but thought nothing of it until it was my first day of a new job when I experienced a panic attack, which was scary and embarrassing but then I was diagnosed with anxiety after a discussion with my doctor. When I had that diagnosis I didn’t know much about anxiety. I was reliant on what the doctors were telling me. Luckily now there is so much online and social media platforms and people in the media talking about it but there is still work to be done.

Luckily my anxiety has been well managed for years and doesn’t affect my daily life, so it does get better!

If you are struggling with anxiety or with you mental health it is important that you reach out to someone and explain how you are feeling whether it is a family member, a friend, a doctor or organisations like The Samaritans or Mind. You will be surprised at how many people live with a mental health condition.

Your anxiety does not have to be a negative in your life, there are so many things that have anxiety can teach you such as:

1. Compassion
2. Determination
3. Gives you motivation
4. Gives you a better understanding of mental health
5. Preparedness
6. Confidence
7. Inner strength
8. Empathy

There are so many free resources that you can read up on, get help or information for mental health conditions. Here are some helpful resources:

• www.mind.org.uk
• www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
• www.blurtitout.org
• www.samaritans.org

Looking after your mental health is a healthy practise whether you have a mental health condition or not, just as you try to keep healthy for your physical health. Making time to look after your mental health does not need to cost money and you can do it even if you feel you are too busy.

This is a short list of 6 things you can do to help take care of your mental health:

• Journal about your day, thoughts and feelings
• Do activities that are calming and relaxing after a busy day
• Connect with others e.g. family meal
• Practise gratitude
• Use positive affirmations
• Understand when you are feeling stress and find ways to overcome those feelings

Here are some blog posts that I have shared that can help your mental health:

1. Powerful mental health habits to start practising
2. 14 Underrated self-care activities 
3. 6 Mindful activities
4. 7 Ways to look after your mental health when when you have a chronic illness

Just remember that the difficult times will not last and you are far stronger than you think! When I was first diagnosed with anxiety I was scared it would rule my life but I was so wrong, now my anxiety is well managed and it does not stop me from doing anything I want to do.

Do it not be silent, reach out to someone you feel you can trust so you can start to work through any struggles you may be having so you can improve your life.

Do you live with a mental health condition? What do you find helps you? I’d love to hear in the comments.