October 10th World Mental Health Day 

This year has undoubtedly taken a toll on everyone’s mental health across the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our lives have been changed in every way. We have had to become more isolated form our friends and families, our work has been affected and many of us may even have lost our jobs . This change to our world has been immense and some have been affected more than others. 

Although we don’t treat it the same, our mental health is no different to our physical health and it’s important we take care of it because mental health problems affect one in four people every year.  

When we talk about mental wellbeing, we are referring to how we feel inside, what we are feeling and how we are coping with life. It doesn’t always stay the same and can change in a moment due to a particular cause or sometimes for nothing that you can put your finger on.  

The most common problems are anxiety and depression but there are many mental health conditions that can affect you.  

How can you help yourself? 

If you are really struggling with your mental health then have a chat with your GP and share how you are feeling with your friends and family. 

Taking some time out, taking a break from your day even for a few minutes whether you are at work or at home with the children are great ways of protecting your mental health. Having a break revitalises you mentally and physically. 

Going for a walk outside just looking at the sky, grass, flowers and trees may make you feel more connected with the world.

Listening to music can take your mind away from difficult thoughts. Play music you enjoy and really concentrate on it maybe with your eyes closed for a few minutes. You could try an art or craft project like drawing, painting knitting or baking. Anything that taps into your creative brain. It doesn’t matter if it’s not perfect. Enjoy the process. Just do it for yourself. 

Mindfulness and meditation are both ways of promoting a feeling of relaxation in your body and mind. They are both practices which help you to focus on one thing for example your breath, just gently flowing in and out of your lungs. This promotes a feeling of calmness and helps you to be able to acknowledge repetitive or negative thoughts but not allow them to overwhelm you. Both take practice but over time can be helpful. 

Lifestyle 

Don’t ignore the basics. Try not to go too long without food and fluids as it can have a negative effect on your blood sugar which in turn effects your mood. Eat a good diet with plenty of protein as this contains plenty of amino acids which are necessary for the regulation of our thoughts and feelings. Omega 3 and 6 contained in oily fish, chicken and nuts are also very good for our brain health.  

Try and get enough sleep. This can be difficult. However, try and stick to a sleep routine, avoid screens before bed and caffeinated drinks. Try a relaxation exercise before bed to calm your mind before sleep. You can find many apps or books to help you. 

Are you suffering from chronic pain? Have you considered online physiotherapy?

Research has shown that almost half of people with a Chronic pain condition have a diagnosis of depression.  

Chronic pain is defined as a pain lasting for more than 3-6 months. The causes are unknown however it is thought the brain may confuse pain signals in the nerve fibres. They also link to the emotional part of the brain which may enhance the feelings of anxiety and depression. 

There can be a variety of causes for example an untreated injury, a back, hip or knee problem caused by Arthritis or a generalised muscular tension.  Looking after your mental health is important but there are lots of different things that can help you. Many people suffer with mental health problems but then go on to make a full recovery. 

Online physiotherapy may be able to help address long term conditions with a holistic approach looking at lifestyle as well as a variety of treatment techniques. 

We understand that if you are suffering from mental health problems and/or aches and pains, you may not feel like visiting our clinics so we can offer online physiotherapy sessions. If you would like more information on how physiotherapy can help you please feel free to contact us by clicking here.