It’s natural for us to worry about things out of control – our brain likes certainty and tries to operate in the most efficient way possible. It’s a function called hypervigilance where our sensors are constantly scanning the environment for danger.
Our symptoms are mutual
There’s a lot of things to get used to in ‘the new normal’. From getting used to new ways of working to the rising cost of living, there’s plenty of stress factors that many of us share.
For example, I don’t own my own home – it's been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Without a permanent home, I don’t feel anchored, and it’s incredibly stressful for me when I have to pack up my home and my life to move between different rental properties.
I had to establish new ways of dealing with these feelings, and these methods have worked wonders for me so far.
Take a breather
Decompressing is essential if you have a fast-paced life. No matter which way you choose – whether it’s a ten-minute meditation session or a simple breathing exercise – you’ll support your mental health, which will benefit your overall wellbeing in turn.
Set up a personal anchor point
Your body is a map for your mental health – which is why I strongly recommend setting up one or more anchor points in your life.
I started developing little rituals to ground myself – in other words, setting up my home base. I drink tea and meditate every morning, so when I travel, I take the same tea with me and always set aside some time for mindfulness.
Other than that, I do things I’d normally do at home. I talk to my friends, I listen to similar music, and I always find time to walk or run in nature. These sound like small things, but they’re invaluable in helping my nervous system feel anchored and less vulnerable to stress factors in my environment.
There’s a quote by Dr Kristin Neff that really helps me through tough times: “This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself in this moment. May I give myself the compassion I need”.
I love this phrase – whenever I’m going through a period of uncertainty, it’s always good to remind ourselves that ‘this too shall pass’. It’s important to acknowledge the uncertainty, as opposed to pretending it’s not there.
Be proactive with your mental health
Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Just like how we usually see a doctor for a medical check-up, if you’re struggling with your mental health reach out to your GP or the Mental Health Foundation for further resources and contacts.
It’s important to be proactive, as finding the right professional to talk to takes time. And when you’re in a tough situation, it can be extremely tiring to constantly repeat your story.
I think of it as maintenance and ‘good mental health hygiene’, which again, is just as important as physical hygiene.
