Mental Health Awareness

This week we recognise Mental Health Awareness once again and as we attempt to push Covid-19 into the rear-view mirror of our lives we ask, how do we get back on the road to making a full recovery?

We all recognise that while we initially thought the disruption to our lives was going to be a steep hill, it soon emerged that it was more like climbing Everest. However, with that in mind what steps can we apply to support our mental health as we journey into the next chapter of life after lockdown.  

Zubin & Spring (1977) suggested 4 main factors that make us susceptible to suffering with poor mental health.  These were: 1) Genetics, 2) Childhood experiences, 3) Environment, 4) Lifestyle factors.    

Obviously as you go through that list it is obvious that you aren’t able to alter your genetics or your childhood and thus you’re only able to control your environment and your lifestyle factors.

So what can we do about lifestyle factors?

The fundamentals around lifestyle factors are many including, nutrition,  exercise, sleep, posture, relaxation and fun. All of these are key players in how we feel both physically and mentally.  Sleep quality and quantity has an extensive interplay with our mental health with the research showing a direct link between insomnia and mental health disorders.  This is vital as it is now thought that up to a third of the adult population suffers with periods of insomnia.  On the other hand, exercise is a known medicinal intervention to support our mental health and when combined with a supportive diet can often provide a helping hand with periods of mental health challenges.  

So in summary and to support becoming more aware of mental health remember, your lifestyle has a dramatic effect on your mental health.  Pay attention to your sleep, your exercise levels and foods being used to power your body.  If you do work on these but are still feeling that you are in need of support, don’t be afraid to ask for help.