Our lives can be very stressful. School, jobs, relationships… We all need help coping now and again. I’d like to share my top three ways for coping with stress or impacted mental health. These are my tips and what works for me. Remember, if you are struggling please always reach out to a trusted adult.
- Moving our bodies – with sport, gardening, dancing, cycling, walking the dog, cleaning or going to the gym, for example – are great ways to improve our mental and physical health. Exercise releases “feel good” hormones that reduce feelings of stress and anger. It also helps us feel better about our bodies.
- Talk about it – you should never bottle up negative emotion, it is unhealthy, and it can make you feel even worse, if you bottle up your emotions you will most likely feel drained, unworthy of anything and just completely awful. There are so many ways to get support with negative mental health, like going a friend, family member or someone you really trust.
- Make sleep a priority – Stick to a sleep schedule. Set aside no more than eight hours for sleep. Pay attention to what you eat and drink. Don’t go to bed hungry or stuffed. Create a restful environment. Keep your room cool, dark and quiet. Limit daytime naps. Include physical activity in your daily routine. Manage worries.
You are never alone. You are enough and if you don’t believe it then I do!
Katy-Louise McLellan
