How are you feeling? Really?

As humans, we truly are fragile pieces of artwork and whilst it is nice to be looked after by others, we need to make sure we are looking after ourselves :) And iI think 2020 has taught us the true importance of looking after ourselves. Particularly with lockdown, isolation, tiers (and tears) and bubbles. We are our best friends (and also our worst enemies)

Have you written a self care checklist? Have you set goals for yourself(no matter how small)?Have you had time to check in with yourself and really appreciate how amazing you are?

Keep reading, I’m going to help you:)

For those days where you really need to have some ‘me time’

• Comfy clothes (pyjamas for the win)

• Shower (wash hair too)

• Make your bed

• Play some music or watch Netflix

• Make (or order) your favourite food

• Put your phone on silent and focus on your surroundings

• Do a face mask and/ or a skincare routine

• Give yourself a pep talk (‘I am strong’ ‘I am amazing’ etc)

• Do something because YOU WANT TO

(This isn’t a ‘one size fits all checklist’, these are just some ideas/ starters to help you create your own. No one will judge you for what’s on your checklist, it is personal to you and no one else! And remember, trial and error is okay, its part of leaning what works for you)

Mental health is described as being a person’s condition in relation to their psychological and emotional wellbeing. This means that in order to have a ‘stable’ mental health, a person can realise their own abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, and work productively.

2020 has seen an increase in daily stresses of life, so it is no wonder that there has been an increase in mental health conditions, as everyone’s lives have changed so rapidly and places where people may go to socialise or ‘escape’ (from normal stresses; back when life was normal) have all of a sudden been taken away. Socialising is a part of human nature and it is instinctive to us, so to have such a primitive part of our lives taken away from us, of course it is going to change our behaviour and emotions.

The vast majority of people have heard of the common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, but there is such a huge stigma attached to them so that people with official diagnosis’ are reluctant to reach out and ask for help.

Depression is much more than ‘just being sad’ and anxiety is much more than ‘just being scared’ and just like anything, there are different extremities/ severities and no two people are the same so it will affect everyone slightly differently.

Also, mental health conditions aren’t just ‘in a person’s head’. Most have physical symptoms too. Anxiety and depression do in some cases but quite unknown to many, eating disorders (such as anorexia and bulimia) are mental health conditions whereas the main symptoms are physical.

If 2020 has taught us anything at all, it is that if we all go through the exact same situation, everyone will have a different view on it and opinion on it and a way of coping with it. So why do we have to be so naive and think that just because people have ‘X condition’ means that they should deal with it the same way.

It’s time to open our eyes, help others, and BE KIND!