Everybody has Mental Health. This may seem obvious, yet for lots of people mental health is still a taboo subject. Men are encouraged to ignore their emotions and ‘man up’. Children are told they’re ‘too young to have a mental illness’. Women are judged for showing their feelings and being ‘too emotional’. The fact is, we all have varying states of mental health and whether we feel completely fine most of the time or are suffering from an illness like depression, it is a spectrum and there is always something we can do to try and improve our mental state. In honour of Mental Health Awareness Month, here are three practical, positive messages to help spread positivity… using love heart expressions! Because today’s post is all about self-love.
BE HAPPY: Where’s your happy place?
Happiness means something different to everyone and often seems impossible to find, especially if you can’t even remember what it feels like! This is why it is so important to create a happy place, somewhere you can take your mind to so that you feel better. This place could be physical, like walking to the park when you feel sad, but for me it’s online. I have a Pinterest board called ‘A Happy Place’, filled with my favourite quotes from movies and books, recipes, funny GIFs, inspiring people and anything else that makes me smile. It is somewhere I can go when I feel down and I can be certain that I will find something that makes me happy. And because it’s online, it only takes a second to go there! You could create the same effect by saving memes that make you smile on Instagram, creating a photo album with pictures that remind you of a happy time, or start pinning to your own Pinterest board!
Although this tip speaks for itself, it’s easier said than done! I asked some friends what they do to feel better to give you a master list of actions and suggestions that can help you relax:
You are not alone! Find your hero.
Dealing with these issues makes it difficult not to feel isolated and misunderstood. Sometimes it feels like there is nobody you can talk to, even your best friend seems not to get it. But it is important to share how you are feeling and find a way of coping with negative thoughts despite feeling alone.
Writing a diary where you list things you are grateful for and happy thoughts can help you train your mind to be happier. When you’re having a bad day you then have something to look back and give yourself the perspective that feelings fluctuate.
Talking to someone, a friend, pet, parent, or therapist can also help; sometimes just explaining how you feel reminds you that you are not alone and makes you feel more understood. Remember, no matter how perfect someone’s life seems, whether they are old or young, they may also be facing a personal battle, so by talking to someone you might be able to help them too.
If you’d like to add some positive messages and happy thoughts to your home check out our range of exclusive Love Hearts products and #sharethelove. We’re offering readers a special discount. Use code SHARELOVE10 for 10% off any of our Love Hearts Products!
How you can help others
To raise awareness for mental health and funds for Young Minds you can use the hashtag #helloyellow and post a photo of you wearing yellow to reduce the stigma and remind people they are not alone.
Follow the links below if you don’t have anybody you can talk to.
Contacts
Text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger, for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
If you need urgent help text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Call the Samaritans free helpline. It’s open 24 hours, 365 days of the year.
