Here are 5 signs of burnout that we all must know if we want to prevent or resolve it: Sign #1: You feel the need to numb your stress This can be achieved by a number of escapism methods, such as food, illegal drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, sex, gambling etc. Generally, the method of escapism works "too well" for the person, causing the person to keep selecting that as a coping method. Without switching this effective (yet unhealthy) coping method with something just as effective (and healthy), progress is unlikely to be made. The key is to build a list of possible alternatives, which still achieve some kind of escapism, but which are healthy and not relied on excessively. Doing work on confidence and self-esteem, at the same time, can also help. Sign #2: Your memory is affected. Burnout … [Read more...] about 5 signs of burnout
mental illness
10 hidden signs of depression
Everything might seem fine to yourself and others around you; you may even be meeting all of your goals and deadlines, but here are 10 signs that you could be depressed. You: 1. Feel overwhelmed generally. 2. Get easily irritated. 3. You feel tearful and sad frequently. 4. Feel less confident in conversation than you did. 5. Feel hopeless. 6. Loathe yourself. 7. Feel numb or empty inside. 8. Feel too anxious to relax. 9. Get frustrated easily. 10. Find that problems getting to or staying asleep make you feel exhausted. Don't guilt yourself into feeling that others have bigger problems, so you don't deserve help, because that's simply untrue. We all deserve to feel happy and fulfilled. Do I need help? If any of these strike a chord with you, you may be … [Read more...] about 10 hidden signs of depression
10 things that anxiety can make you do
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
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
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)
