Building your toolkit to protect your mental health

To build muscle or get stronger you may go to the gym. But this doesn’t happen overnight….to build the muscles you want you have to develop a programme, commit to working out regularly and tweaking your programme when necessary. The same analogy applies to our mental health. To keep strong and well you can develop and commit to a toolkit of ideas and activities that support you in good times and bad.

Writing it down

It may be a good idea to take some time out and draw up your own plan. Sometimes I do this work with clients so that they have a visual record of what activities support them. Sometimes this is hard for clients to think about; their own needs may have been so low on their list of priorities that they can’t easily recall what brings them joy.

The activities that bring you joy

Everyone needs some fun in their lives. Small children can find joy and pleasure easily but as we get older this can become more difficult. Ask yourself what you enjoy so much that makes you so in the moment that you can lose track of time. This may be something physical…maybe some form of exercise or gardening or DIY. It may be something more creative such as crafting, cooking or playing music.

Can you also recall a time that you felt truly happy? Was this in the company of particular friends or family? What were you doing? You can keep adding to your list as you think of more things.

Movement and exercise

Perhaps you didn’t include some form of exercise in the list of activities that give you pleasure but it is a good idea to include some movement in your tool kit because exercise helps use up stress hormones and releases endorphins. This could be a very short walk. Many people often feel that if they get outside in the fresh air their mood is lifted.

The actions that calm you down or make you feel more in control

Just as important as activities that make you happy are the actions that make you feel calmer. These may be activities such as having a bath or washing your hair. It could be listening to a relaxation track or reading a favourite book or magazine. It may be taking time out to write in your diary. Perhaps it is playing with your dog or having cuddles with a child or cat. You may have included some of these already on your list of what makes you happy but ask yourself what helps you feel better when you feel anxious, stressed or upset.

People you can rely on

While writing your list you may have already identified people you enjoy spending time with; perhaps because you share an interest or perhaps because talking to them helps you feel better. Consider who you enjoy spending time with, who makes you feel valued or cared for. Who would you turn to in a crisis? You can put their names down in your tool kit too and if you haven’t seen them for a while think about getting in touch.

Bringing it all together

Now you have a list think about how you can use it to best support you. Has it given you any insight into how you want to spend your time? Try to ensure there are some easy things you can do on a regular basis on your list as well as ideas that are more long term. Having something to look forward to and plan for can be really helpful but you also want to have some actions that are easy to implement.

Hypnotherapy and talking it through

If you want to kickstart your life this spring and have some help towards living a calmer, more fulfilled life get in touch to see how I could support you in making the changes you want to.