It’s Mental Health Awareness week and the theme is loneliness, the aim is to explore the experience of loneliness, its effect on mental health and a consideration of how you and I can play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.
What is loneliness?
Loneliness is an emotion or feeling that occurs when a person’s social relationships are perceived by that person to be less in quantity, and especially in quality, than desired. It is a normal part of life but long-lasting or severe loneliness can impact on our mental health leading to conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Can you think of a time when you felt lonely?
I certainly can, I am so glad that we are going back to some level of normality post pandemic. I had to shield and was working from home during the early stages of the pandemic. I then found out that I was pregnant during that time. There were no antenatal classes, no coffee dates with other mum to be and the worst part was that I couldn’t visit friends or family. I realised that I took the meaningful relationships I had in my life for granted. I found it difficult to share how I was feeling as I did not want to come across as weak or needy.
Your story might be different from mine but it is safe to say loneliness is different for everyone but it is not often an easy thing to talk about. Let’s break the stigma, it’s ok to not be ok. I am a firm believer in the concept of putting your own oxygen mask first. So how did I deal with my loneliness?
I used a strategy that I am calling the 3Es.
How to cope with loneliness (the three Es):
- Do something Enjoyable – this could be a hobby such as gardening, knitting or even sewing. (I bought a sewing machine in the pandemic and I made a dress!).
- Try to Engage with people you meet in the day to day life – We are born with a natural desire to connect. Though it may not come naturally to you to greet a stranger, a simple hi to someone can make you feel better and you might find you give someone a positive lift too.
- Exercise – This can be something as simple as going for a walk, dancing to your favourite music or running if you are feeling brave. The key thing is to release some endorphins!
Supporting our communities
- At T4 we are partnering with a local Food Bank and are planning to volunteer at a soup kitchen in the coming months.
Urgently required items include:
- Long-life fruit juice (1lt cartons)
- Pasta/curry sauce
- Tinned fruit
- Jam
- Coffee
- Toothbrushes/ Toothpaste
- Shower Gel
- Deodorant
- The offer for a gym day pass remains available for all our clients. It’s a great way to exercise, engage and enjoy connecting in a meaningful way.
Although the T4 physio team are not experts on mental health. They are always readily available to assist with any of your exercise related needs to get you releasing some endorphins. Call us now on 033017 59838 or email info@t4physio.com to find out more.
Click here to take a depression and anxiety self-assessment quiz to help you better understand how you’ve been feeling recently and don’t forget to send us your score!!
Blog by Lady Bee