Health Page

MENTAL HEALTH

For many years there has been a stigma attached to mental health issues. However, many people, including respected celebrities (Kim Basinger, Nicole Kidman, Trisha) have emotional/psychological issues. I thought I'd create a page with links to a few mental health sites to encourage education & enlightenment rather than ignorance.

Having a disorder does not necessary make a person "mentally ill". There are many anxiety disorders that affect mind & body. There are often severely debilitating, and should be treated seriously, however the sufferers should not be labelled as mentally ill. Because the problem most often stems from the mind, however, I put this information under the heading of mental health.

Many people take time to go to the gym each week in order to keep their body fit, but they do not do the same for their mind. They can be overworked and overstressed and this can cause many problems. I'd like to provide some support for people suffering from anything from basic stress to panic and anxiety disorders. I have personal experience with some of these issues and it means a lot to me to be able to help out a little.

One thing every article can't stress enough is proper breathing techniques. Most people don't realise they aren't breathing correctly until they try deep breathing techniques. Try slowly inhaling through your nose, place a hand on your stomach and feel it rise. Hold the breath a second or two, and slowly begin to exhale through your mouth, as you feel your stomach fall. If you try this for at least 10 minutes a day you should begin to feel instantly calmer.

I would also personally recommend yoga and meditation. When was the last time you took half an hour for yourself? Completely cleared your mind of all your worries? Take time out to truly relax. Even if its just an aromatherapy bubble bath. Place a couple of candles around the room and let your tension go.

Quite often stress and strain can cause IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) which may sound harmless but it can really disrupt your life. Diet, relaxation and exercise can all help somewhat so check out the links below.

I am not a medical professional. I only mean to offer links or limited information on these issues. If you have a problem, it is best to go to your GP. Don't put it off until tomorrow. If you tackle the problem when it arises, you can prevent it from taking over your life.

My experience of anxiety

My experience of self-harm

If there is a site you would like to see listed here, please e-mail me