Here are 10 things that anxiety can make you do: 1. Eat more than usual, either for comfort or energy. 2. Get lost in distraction activities. We're not referring to a healthy amount of helpful distraction here, but something that has become extreme and impacts life in a negative way. 3. Cancel plans at the last minute, if the anxiety is overwhelming. 4. Turn to alcohol or (non-prescription) drugs. 5. Require use of the bathroom more frequently. 6. Fail exams, due to going blank. 7. Eat less than usual, if your appetite is affected, or if you feel nauseous. 8. Avoid doing things because they feel overwhelming, even if you know you'll be in trouble. 9. Decline trying new experiences. 10. Check things repeatedly. Do I need help? If this is something that you … [Read more...] about 10 things that anxiety can make you do
mental health
Make May all about change
May is such a beautiful time of year...the weather is not too hot, not too cold...the trees are back in full bloom and everything just feels...lighter. So, in honour of celebrating this beautiful time of year, we'll be sharing a few top tips that should help you lead a more enriched life. Tip #1: Change somebody else's life This looks different for different people, but here's some ideas to get you started. Carry out a random act of kindness (R.A.O.K) such as: Pay for somebody else's shopping in the queue in front of you. Pay for the coffee order of the person in front of you. Give a care package to a homeless person. Donate time, money and/or goods to a charity that means a lot to you. Such as: Dementia UK Age UK MacMillan Dogs Trust Huddersfield … [Read more...] about Make May all about change
11 signs that your mental health needs attention
Here are 11 signs that your mental health needs addressing: 1. Reduced energy. 2. Appetite changes - eating too much or too little. 3. No longer finding pleasure in things that you once enjoyed. 4. Small tasks which you used to find easy, start to feel overwhelming. 5. Your to-do list is expanding as you start to avoid things that need doing. 6. Experiencing higher levels of stress or snaxiety, which makes it significantly more difficult to function. 7. You have become withdrawn from family and friends because sociliasing seems to difficult or overwhelming. 8. You are having trouble getting off to sleep and/or staying asleep and wake on multiple occasions for no apparent reason. 9. You're arguing with those around you more than usual. 10. You're having … [Read more...] about 11 signs that your mental health needs attention
Stuck in a “tug of war”, anyone?
If you're struggling with an unwanted emotion, it's like being in a permanent tug of war, where there's a monster on the other end of the rope and a massive hole in the middle. That monster represents all of the thoughts and emptions that you don't want to have. You expect that, if you just keep fighting harder, the monester won't win and you want fall into the pit. And the more you fight, the harder it gets, because you start to get exhausted...yet the monster stands there a strongly as he did at the beginning. It feels like you just can't win! So, you edge closer and closer to the pit in the middle and the more you try to control the monster, the more the monster pulls back. But what if there was another way? What if you just let go of the rope and just allow the monster to … [Read more...] about Stuck in a “tug of war”, anyone?
Is habitual comparison affecting my mental health
With filters getting easier to use and more numerous by the day, it seems easier than ever to filter images which you post online. A blemish here...deleted..."I need a different eye colour"...changed...a curve there...reduced or enhanced...and "I want whiter teeth, but without the cost"...your wish is my command. You get the picture. It's time-consuming, but is it dangerous? Well...yes, yet it is. Because when you look in the mirror and see the real you staring back at you, you can be filled with disappointment that you don't look like the filtered you. The same goes for your significant other; comparing them to unrealistic beauty and personality standards, can cause much disatisfaction in your relationship, despite you previously being happy with them. When you compare your home … [Read more...] about Is habitual comparison affecting my mental health
3 ways your adult relationships can be influenced by your childhood relationships
If you're an adult who constantly has difficult with relationships, this blog post might help you understand the origin of these difficulties. It doesn't matter whether it's a sexual partner, family, friend, colleague or business partner. Here's 3 ways your adult relationships may be influenced by your childhood relationships: Reason 1 If your home was chaotic when you were being raised, you may now find it difficult to calm that threat response now that you're an adult. Therefore, you might find yourself hiding away and shutting people out, trying to control your surroundings and other people. You may even find yourself becoming reliant on only one person who makes you feel safe. Such as your husband, for example. This isn't ideal because it can strain relationships. Reason 2 If … [Read more...] about 3 ways your adult relationships can be influenced by your childhood relationships
10 anxiety hacks that you can do NOW
According to Mind, 25% of English people will experience some kind of mental health problem each year in England and, in any given week, approximately 16% of English people report having symptoms of common mental health problem, such as depression and anxiety. The National Health Service (NHS) also report 5% of the UK population has Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), a frequently disabling disorder. Anyone living with anxiety, wherever they are in the world, know that the physical and psychological effects can be very significant and debilitating, such as shortness of breath, sleeping issues, headaches, nausea and and even difficulties securing and sustaining employment. Despite the effects of anxiety frequently being debilitating, there are steps you can take to improve your … [Read more...] about 10 anxiety hacks that you can do NOW
Depression: why withdrawing from the world keeps you ‘stuck’
If you're struggling with low mood and a feeling of "I can't be bothered to do anything right now", this post was written for you. I want to tell you something that many people do when they're depressed, and it's something that keeps them stuck exactly where they are. Low mood essentially generates a powerful urge to do just about everything that will keep you stuck whwre you are, ultimately making your mood worse. For example, say you wake up and you just don't feel good. The natural urge - or the trap that many depressed people fall into - is to cancel your plans, stay in bed and just hide away from the world and everybody in it. And let's be honest sometimes we do need that, right? But the problem is that doing this is addictive because, once you decide to avoid something, you get … [Read more...] about Depression: why withdrawing from the world keeps you ‘stuck’
2 ways to get in touch with nature
Being outdoors can be good for us; it increases our Vitamin D levels (climate and location allowing), and is well known for reducing our stress levels, but if we're an indoor-dwelling types of personality, where - and how - do we get in touch with nature? In today's post, we suggest 2 ways in which you can get in touch with nature. 1. Involve your senses The '5-4-3-2-1 technique' is well-known in psychology, counselling and mindfulness circles. This technique deliberately gets the person to slow down and take in their environment and is often very effective at grounding even the most anxious person. The process starts by first observing the environment and taking in the surroundings. Next, the person identifies: 5 things they can see in as much detail as possible. 4 things they can … [Read more...] about 2 ways to get in touch with nature
3 key conversation starters (mental health)
Many of us have been there, where a loved one is showing some concerning behaviours, struggling to know how to react for the best. In today's post, we suggest some ways that you can start the conversation about their mental health. Talking can change lives and yet we underestimate it all the time. Of course, we can't ever say that we know exactly how somebody suffering feels, but we can say that we're there for them, we're listening and we'll do our best to help. So, what exactly do you say? We'd like to help by offering a few suggestions. Go virtual Taking the talk virtual removes some of the barriers to turning up for the discussion. For example, taking the bus, having to shower and wash our hair, or finding money for the cafe are all potential barriers to turning up to the … [Read more...] about 3 key conversation starters (mental health)
