My husband’s note

Last Monday morning, I walked into our kitchen and my husband had left me a note before he left for work. It read,

“Don’t overdo it at Yoga xx”

Now, what he was referring to, is my old neck injury from horse riding which gets very painful when I overdo things such as gardening, cleaning and yoga.

My instant thought was, ‘ gosh yes, I better be careful as I’ve got a busy week and don’t want to be paying for this later.’ So, in that moment I already acknowledged that, yes, I was not going to do anything to aggravate my neck.

That got me thinking. Why do we find it easier to look after our physical health rather than our mental health?

Especially when the previous week I was absolutely exhausted because I overcommitted to so many things. This meant that I wasn’t able to sleep properly or eat regularly and my mental state suffered. 

I was drained, frustrated, tired and cross with myself for allowing myself to say yes too many times even though no one would have seen this from the outside!

So, why do we find it easier to take care of our physical health compared to our mental health?

There is still stigma surrounding mental health issues, which can make it difficult for some to seek help or even acknowledge that they are struggling. Some people may feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about their mental health, their thoughts and feelings, which can make it challenging to prioritise it. Confusing mental health for mental illness is a common mistake too.

Physical health issues often have visible symptoms, such as a broken bone, a rash, or a sniffly nose, making it easier for people to see and address them. In contrast, mental well-being problems may not have visible symptoms, which can make them harder to identify and address or indeed, might be easier to hide or ignore.

Individuals may have their own beliefs and attitudes towards mental health that can impact their willingness to prioritise it.

For example, some people may believe that mental health issues are a sign of weakness or that seeking help is a sign of failure, which can discourage them from seeking support.

Having said that, I am now seeing more men than I used to. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that social media is really pushing forward the word that real men have feelings and that it’s ok to express them.

Many of us lead busy lives and feel that we don’t always have enough time to prioritise our mental health. Activities such as exercise and healthy eating may feel easier to fit into a busy schedule, while coaching or self-care practices may feel like they require too much time and effort. We may have other priorities, such as work or family obligations, that can make it harder for us to prioritise our mental health.

We may feel that we don’t have time to take care of ourselves or that we need to prioritise other responsibilities or people.

Maintaining good mental well-being involves a range of activities and habits that support our emotional and psychological health.

Here are some of my favourite strategies that can help us maintain good mental well-being:

1. Manage stress: This can involve practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
2. Never be afraid to ask for help!
3. Set boundaries: Setting healthy boundaries can help us avoid overcommitting ourselves and experiencing burnout. This can involve learning to say no, setting limits on our work or activities, and prioritising our own needs.
4. Practice gratitude: Focusing on the positive aspects of our lives can help improve our mood and well-being. This can involve practicing gratitude by keeping a journal or regularly reflecting on things we are thankful for.
5. Stay active: Regular exercise can help boost our mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. This can involve activities such as walking, running or joining a fitness class.
6. Engage in activities that bring joy: Engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfilment can help improve our overall well-being. I love walking, horse riding, paddle boarding and art classes.
   
7. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve our overall well-being.
8. Take breaks: This can involve taking short breaks throughout the workday or taking a longer break to engage in a relaxing activity.
9. Get outside: This can involve going for a walk in a park, hiking, or engaging in other outdoor activities.
10. Limit screen time:  It is important to set limits on our use of technology and prioritise face-to-face interactions and other activities that do not involve screens.
11. Practice self-compassion: Self-compassion involves treating ourselves with kindness and understanding, especially when we are going through difficult times.
12. Engage in creative activities: Engaging in creative activities such as writing, painting, or playing music can help improve our mood and overall well-being.
13. Get enough sleep
14. Practice good time management: Managing our time effectively can help reduce stress and improve our productivity.
15. Challenge negative thinking: Negative thinking can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. Challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive and realistic ones can help improve our overall well-being.

I hope that this insight into our mental well-being will remind you how important you are as a whole being. If you cut your leg and just left it to bleed out, it may get infected and not heal.

But you wouldn’t leave it to bleed, would you?

So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a pause and ask yourself, what do I need to do to help myself feel better right now? You’ll be surprised what a difference this can make.

Much better than just ignoring it.

Love

If you would like to know more about how I can help you

please contact me here: https://www.andreabond.co.uk/contact-me/