'Shared sorrow is half the sorrow' - Mental Health Awareness Week - UK

In the UK it is Mental Health Awareness Week, and this year there is a focus on reconnecting with Nature.

Mental Health - UK suggests that there are ‘5 ways to well-being’ and they focus on one way of well-being per day this week. I’m following their lead across my social media channels and in my community.

However, I’d like to point out their ‘5 ways of well-being’ here as well.

CONNECT

It is really important to think of your connections as the cornerstones of your life. Invest time and effort in maintaining connection and making new ones too - good connections can support you and make your life better.

BE ACTIVE

Research shows again and again how physical exercise helps combat depression and anxiety. It would be good to move your body to whatever extent is possible for you: even a short walk will help! Any exercise will increase the release of your feel-good hormones.

TAKE NOTICE

Increasing your awareness of yourself and your surroundings helps you stay more in the hear and now. Practising a little mindfulness, paying attention to a breath you take… moments where you are just noting what it’s like, without judgement, will help improve your mood.

KEEP LEARNING

It won’t come as a surprise that I really like this way, considering the name of my company! Improving a skill, learning a language, or doing some research is a great way to help you focus on something else than the challenging situation you might be in. And learning more about yourself and different ways you can deal with your situation better are also really important.

GIVE

Research suggests that ‘giving’ helps increase well-being. There seems to be an innate wish to make life better for other people, in whatever shape or form. Contributing to other people’s well-being improves your own as well.

Organisational psychologist Adam Grant did a brilliant TED talk about ‘Givers and Takers’, which is well worth watching!

REACH OUT… you are not alone!

Please don’t struggle on your own if you find life (or certain aspects of your life) quite challenging at the moment and you are aware of it affecting your mental well-being. I invite you to reach out to family, friends, colleagues.

I’m here too, if you would like to have a chat with someone who is ‘neutral’ and who really listens.

In The Netherlands we have a saying that translates into: ‘Shared sorrow is half the sorrow’… Whatever your sorrow is, it’s not a burden you need to carry on your own.

https://calendly.com/rennyslade/30-minute-connection-call

I would be very happy to speak with you soon!

Renny