Tales from a Bruised Mind

I have been there. Time and time again. Perhaps you’re having a crappy day at work, or things aren’t so good in your home life. Maybe a family member has passed, or something has just pushed you over the edge.

You’re mental health is deteriorating.

What do you do?

It’s often extremely hard to know what to do when you’re not feeling mentally well. It’s hard to think straight and make logical choices. If you feel a bit that way, don’t worry – that’s normal.

I’ve tried to look back at the past to try and find out what got me through the really bad times, things that kept me afloat in this crazy world of ours. Here are ten things I came away with that might just help:

1. it’s cliche, but doing things you are passionate about can make a big difference. Sitting in your room staring at the world won’t fix things. In fact, they might make you feel worse. Think back to when you were feeling well, and try and do something that you know you will enjoy. Listen to good music, go for a walk in a beautiful park, go for a run, exercise, go for a drive… the options are endless. Try it and see how you go.
2. Remove yourself from the shitty situation. If something or someone is making you feel crap, step away. It could be the problem. If you need to take leave from work, do so. If you’re family is becoming a problem, try and take some time out, take some deep breaths and keep on soldiering on.
3. Get outside. Breathing in fresh air, going for a walk or even just experiencing nature can make a huge difference. Nature is wonderful, and is truly good for the soul.
4. Connect with family or friends. Let your loved ones know if you are struggling. Don’t sit in silence, or let things boil over. This might not be easy, but you might just feel better by telling people how you feel and being honest. Mental health is challenging because it is not physical, so reach out if you can.
5. Have a professional support network. Lay the foundations early and connect with your GP or other health professionals who can assist you. They’ll be able to give you a different kind of support to your family and friends and will know what the best course of action might be for you.
6. Get good sleep. Lots of doctors have told me over the years that sleep is crucial. If you’re stressed or depressed, you might not be sleeping right. Lack of sleep can cause a lot of issues, so do your best to rest and sleep well if you find yourself struggling.
7. Take your medications, if you’re on any. By not taking your medications, you could put yourself in harm’s way. Although this is slightly different, I was weaned off my medication in 2020 because I was doing really well and had no symptoms. But stopping turned out to be worse, as I relapsed just four or five days later. Meds aren’t a cure, but for me they keep my world afloat.
8. This feeling will pass. Remind yourself of all the times you had that were amazing. Think of those days you wish would never end. That shows that life will get better, it just takes time, and patience. You can do it, you just need to continue to believe in yourself.
9. Be social. Don’t sit at home on your own if you don’t need to. Connect with friends or family and do what you can to get out there and interact with others. This will be very difficult if you are severely depressed or anxious, but really try your best to get out there!
10. Speak up and out. Don’t sit in silence. Tell people how you feel and try not to bottle up your emotions. Getting help is crucial, and you’ll only be able to do this by speaking up about it. Unfortunately, people can’t see the hurt inside of you, so make it be known how you are feeling and experiencing life.

So those are ten quick things I have learnt over the past five years or so. Of course, every person is different, and our experiences are also unique in nature, but I hope that my real lived experience can help others, and to help people understand they are not alone out there.

Love,

Zak