Dear Reader,
First of all I would like to thank you for your time visiting my blog.
I’m thinking long and hard as to what the first post will be about. So many thoughts, so many topics related to our heart and mind from relationships to diet, fashion to lifestyle, and many more affecting our heart and mind, directly or indirectly, and have decided to start with the basics – mental health.
What is mental health? How much do we know and understand about it?
First of all it is important to acknowledge we all have it. As much as we are aware of our physical health, and most of us look after it, we also need to look after our mental health and well being. This is especially true in the current climate.
To me mental health is having clarity of the mind, making rational sensible decisions, being active, having healthy relationships, appreciating life and little things that make us happy.
I would also like to mention a few misconceptions I have read about and researched:
- Not a real illness – False.
We all go through emotional ups and downs. It’s more about a continual voice that makes things feel like they are always against you. It creates distress which does not go away by itself. It can be hard for people to relate to the symptoms if not experienced themselves, however that does not mean that their condition is somehow not real.
- People with mental illness are typically violent, dangerous and unpredictable – False.
Mental illness is not a predictor of violence. Few violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. The abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol may perpetuate violent crimes. People who experience mental illness are often amongst those who are excluded from communities, vulnerable and more likely to be victims of violent crimes or of self harm than of violence towards others. The false perception popularised in the media that people with mental illness are violent is amongst the most damaging of stereotypes.
- Mental illness is a result of “bad parenting” – False.
Mental illnesses are a complicated conditions that arise from a combination of genetics, biological, social, environmental, life experiences and other influences. 1 in 5 children aged between 13 and 18 will have a mental illness ( https://www.nami.org/nami/media/nami-media/infographics/children-mh-facts-nami.pdf ). Around half of all life time cases of mental illness begin before the age of 14. Parents and family members have a major role in support and recovery.
What are your thoughts on mental health and illnesses? How do you think the coronavirus pandemic has affected our mental health? What do you personally do to support and promote your mental health and well being?
What helps me a lot is having a nice, long, relaxing bath with calming bath salts. Having me time, winding down and quieten my thoughts and mind chatter. Being in nature, going for walks, exercising a few times a week (even though I need/want to do more) and trying to have a healthy diet. How about you?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas, until then please remember you are not alone!
HEAD & HEART MATTERS 