In life, none of us are exempt from having to care for and look after our mental health; something just as important as our physical health. Just as we get bumps and bruises, our mental health also requires care and love. As if starting (or returning to) school or university isn’t hard enough due to the workload, it can be a time where we feel alone, and face some of our most difficult times of need. Therefore, in honour of World Mental Health Day on 10th October, it’s important that we take the time to care for ourselves.
Now, while this list is by no means exhaustive and cannot replace professional help from an experienced counsellor, it aims to help you to concentrate on being present in the moment, feeling calmer, and improving your immediate mental state.
1. Escape the Everyday:
Take a walk or go and absorb yourself in nature. Forget (as hard as this may be) all your responsibilities and focus on what surrounds you. Sometimes clearing your head and taking a few deep breaths will help you find peace of mind so that you can regain control of your life in a calmer manner.
2. Exercise:
Swimming has been proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and has also been linked to improving feelings of positivity and motivation, helping people find daily life easier to cope with. Exercising, in a broader sense, such as visiting a gym or going for a run can also help as it promotes a positive physical, social, and mental state.
3. Do Something For You:
Take a shower, paint your nails, clean or tidy your room — make yourself useful. These little signs of love that you show yourself can help you to clear your mind. Additionally, they can make you feel more relaxed and have a positive influence on the rest of your day.
4. “Stimming”:
Self-stimulatory behaviour can help you by stimulating your own senses in a way that you can control, thus having a soothing and normalising effect. This can be a useful coping mechanism in stressful or upsetting situations. “Stimming” may come in the form of fiddling with objects, rocking your body, making noises, repeating words, or many other motions — whatever works for you.
5. The Five Senses:
Focus on what surrounds you. Pick five things that you can see from where you are. Then pick four things that you can hear, three things that you can feel, two things that you can smell, and one thing that you can taste (even if it’s just toothpaste from when you last brushed your teeth). By working your way through this simple routine you can ground yourself and become a little more relaxed in your present situation.
If you are suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, alcoholism, eating disorders, or any other mental health condition please seek treatment from a trained professional. Although it is hard to raise your hand to say ‘I need help‘, your future self will thank you for it and it is the most important first step on the road to recovery.
Hotlines:
UK:
Childline: 0800 1111 Samaritans: 08457 909090 Abuse Not: 0808 8005015 Brook Young People’s Information Service: 0800 0185023 Eating Disorder Support: 01494 793223 Anxiety UK: 0844 477 5774 Depression Alliance: 0845 123 23 20 Rape Crisis Centre: 01708 765200 Rape/sexual assault: 0808 8000 123 (female) or 0808 8000122 (male) Miscarriage Association: 01924 200799 LLGS Helpline (LGBT): 0300 330 0630 Sexuality support: 01708 765200 Bereavment: 0800 9177 416 Runaway/homeless: 0808 800 70 70 CareConfidential Pregnancy/post abortion: 0800 028 2228 Women’s Aid National Domestic Violence Helpline 0345 023 468 National AIDS Helpline: 0800 567 123
USA: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Depression Hotline: 1-630-482-9696 Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-8433 LifeLine: 1-800-273-8255 Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Sexuality Support: 1-800-246-7743 Eating Disorders Hotline: 1-847-831-3438 Rape and Sexual Assault: 1-800-656-4673 Grief Support: 1-650-321-5272 Runaway: 1-800-843-5200, 1-800-843-5678, 1-800-621-4000 Exhale: After Abortion Hotline/Pro-Voice: 1-866-4394253 Self Harm: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288) Pregnancy Hotline 1-800-4-OPTIONS (1-800-467-8466) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Youth Support Line 800-850-8078 National Association for Children of Alcoholics 1-888-55-4COAS (1-888-554-2627) National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-4453 National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) National Drug Abuse Hotline 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) National Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-448-4663 Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention 1-800-931-2237 (Hours:8am-noon daily, PT) Veterans: 1-877-VET2VET Adolescent Suicide Helpline: 1-800-621-4000 Postpartum Depression: 1-800-PPD-MOMS Nami Helpline: 1-800-950-6264