Mental Health Issues: Ending the Stigma

(iMindCoach)

According to the Mental Health Foundation, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue at some point during their lives. However many choose to keep their condition to themselves rather than openly discuss it with friends and family. But why?

Sadly, in the past, there has been a stigma attached to mental health issues. From offensive terms implying those who are suffering are ‘crazy’ to cruel claims that the conditions are just ‘attention seeking’, there have been a number of ways those ignorant to the effects of mental health issues have criticised them.

Now, however, things are changing. In fact, a number of movements have been set up to eliminate the stigma related to mental health issues, such as the #TimeToTalk campaign set up by time-to-change.org.uk.

These campaigns aim to express the fact mental health issues are just as ‘real’ as physical diseases and deserve just as much attention.

If you want to be a part of such a positive change in society, there are things you can do to change your outlook on mental health issues.

Understand how many people are affected.

A mental health issue is not a ‘small-scale’ issue by any means. Anyone you know could be suffering from anxiety, depression, or another condition that affects the way they think and feel.

By understanding the sheer number of people around the world who are affected by mental health issues, you’ll likely begin to understand that it isn’t something that can just be ignored.

Focus on the mental wellness of yourself and those around you.

Try to incorporate mental wellness into your way of life. When you’re happy and healthy, these positive vibes will be shared with those around you.

Understand the importance of taking care of yourself and looking out for your mental health. Others may begin to follow suit. Someday, through the influence of dedicated supporters, people may take caring for their minds as seriously as many currently take looking after their bodies.

Be open to talking about issues.

If you’re willing to talk openly about mental health issues, others may pick up on it and begin to do the same. Demonstrate mental-emotional maturity and don’t be scared of discussing any negative feelings you’re experiencing.

The more we discuss our problems, the more they will become widely accepted within society. We’re already on the right track, so let’s go the distance.

Look at things from their perspective.

Empathy is key when attempting to understand those with mental health issues. While it may feel impossible to completely understand what the person is going through, you may wish to consider the way they are actually feeling.

Try to be curious about their situation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. They may even appreciate having someone to talk to! Listen to their worries or complaints and try to make them feel as if you understand. Your efforts will be more than appreciated.

While these may seem like minimal steps, they can actually go a long way in influencing those around you and reducing the stigma relating to mental health issues. The key is to keep talking. Mental health issues are common, let those who are suffering know that support is out there.

We hope you like and benefit from this article and considering sharing it so others may benefit too.

Wishing you all the very best for the future!

iMindCoach Team

Advanced Mind Coaching Specialists

Choose The Best Path Today

Letting ‘GO’ of Anxiety

(iMindCoach)

Anxiety has been getting a lot more attention in recent years, especially online. It seems that today, more and more people are open about their experiences with the condition, leading to an endless stream of support and advice that can help those who are suffering in their day to day life.

Take UK vlogging sensation Zoe Sugg for instance. The star has over eight million subscribers on her YouTube channel and has frequently used the platform to discuss the symptoms of anxiety and the importance of saying ‘yes’ to challenging situations in life, despite feeling anxious.

The disorder has also become a hot topic on the social site ‘Tumblr’. Thousands of users suffering from anxiety have used their blogs to educate others on the condition or create informative, encouraging posts that offer advice on dealing with its effects on mental health.

Thanks to this sudden attention focused on anxiety, many sufferers find they are able to put the advice they’ve found online to good use and do not let their mental-emotional health issues defeat them.

Take a moment to breathe.

You may feel as if there are things in life you’d love to do, but your anxiety is holding you back. It’s important to take a step back and look at the situation objectively. Take small steps in the direction of your dreams. Let go of your ego and be proactive to reaching out to others for help when you need it.

When you want to do something that takes you out of your comfort zone, focus on your breathing and take slow deep breathes in through your nose and as you exhale slowly out through your mouth imagine letting go of any tension from your mind and body. Repeat until you can imagine yourself completing the task calmly. Then you are ready to do it!

Keep your body active.

A healthy body can promote a strong mind. It’s a known fact that exercise can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, as well as having healthy effects on your body and sleep pattern, which can also result in feeling calmer.

Try aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming or cycling. These can also strengthen your heart, helping to reduce the ‘pounding feeling’ that is often a symptom of anxiety.

Make time to rest.

You may feel unproductive while taking a break, but that relaxation may be more beneficial than you realise. Being in a calm state can help to prevent feelings of anxiousness when faced with problematic circumstances.

Whether it’s taking a day to kick back and read a book from your favourite author, or doing some yoga and meditation or the simple daily practice of mindfulness, we all have our own ways of reducing stress. Do whatever works for you personally and ensure you’re getting the ‘me-time’ you deserve.

Reduce the pressure.

Many of us feel as if we need to work hard 24/7, yet it’s important to evaluate your options. Do you really need to take on that extra project at work? Sure, you may make a little more money – but if you’re suffering from a mental-emotional health issue, is it really worth making yourself feel worse?

Try to work within your set hours, ensuring your work/life balance is healthy. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so don’t force yourself to do anything that’s pushing your anxiety to higher levels if it isn’t completely necessary. By taking the steps to let ‘go’ of anxiety, you’ll find yourself coping more effectively when faced with difficult situations.

We hope you like and benefit from this article and considering sharing it so others may benefit too.

Wishing you all the very best for the future!

iMindCoach Team

Advanced Mind Coaching Specialists

Choose The Best Path Today