Hello, I hope you have all had a lovely weekend and have been enjoying the sunshine.
This month I am looking at words beginning with M for my A-Z of Wellbeing series.
Massage – If you have time to treat yourself, book in for a lovely relaxing massage. It will help to reduce your blood pressure, lower your heart rate and thereby reducing your stress levels. Using a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil which is light or sweet almond oil, drops of essential oil are then added and applied to your body, usually starting on your back whether for a full body massage or a back, neck and shoulders. This is an aromatherapy massage, the massage therapist can tailor the massage using essential oils to suit your needs. Lavender oil can be used to aid relaxation as well as help with stress and anxiety or lemon oil which is great for stimulating the lymphatic system and helping the body to rid itself of toxins.
Medication – How do you feel about taking medication for your mental health? Some people I know, dislike taking it as they feel they shouldn’t need it and weak for doing so. There is absolutely no shame in it. Medication for anxiety or depression may not be suitable for everyone, but don’t rule it out. It can give your mental health the stability it needs to get you feeling like you again without the added weighed down feeling. If you have tried many techniques but nothing is working, speak with your GP. They can help figure out if medication is for you and find the right one to help with your symptoms. It might be the best thing you ever did,
Meditation – This can help ease stress, anxiety and depression. It can give you a sense of calm and help to focus your mind. The great news is you don’t need to spend an hour a day on it. Take a few minutes at the start and/or end of your day to focus on your breathing. Take a few slow deep breaths and just notice your breath. Every time your mind wanders, just go back to focusing on your breathing. There are many apps you can use to help or just play some relaxing music, set an alarm for 2 minutes and start.
Mental Health – Your mental health is about how you think, act and feel. Please always be kind to yourself. Your mental health is so important. Think about how you are feeling today. Are you happy, sad, anxious, lonely etc. Are you comfortable expressing these feelings, whether to a friend, partner, family member, doctor, therapist? Is there anything weighing on your mind that you feel you need help with? If there is, please, please reach out and ask for help. We can never be happy all of the time, but if you are feeling low more often, then please ask for help. I know I can retreat inwards when things get tough, and that is when I know I need to ask for help. Don’t struggle on and worry about being a bother to someone, because it won’t be true. Everyone is on their own mental health journey. No two will be the same. Speak out and share your experiences as they do help others to realise they are not alone. Take care of your mental health and find coping strategies that help you. Don’t be afraid to try different things as you never know what might help you to feel good.
Mistakes – Never be afraid to make mistakes. I mean who hasn’t? From day dot we make them. But we learn and grow and continue to develop. Mistakes are good. I’ve made plenty, some make me laugh, others make me cringe, but I still get up and get on, because I know I’ve learned from them all. Think of the last one you made, whether it is at work or in a relationship or with a DIY project. What did you learn? What will you put in place so you don’t make the same mistake again? If you never try, you’ll never know. So don’t hold yourself back from trying something as you are worried that you will make a mistake. Mistakes can lead to new paths, which can lead to something you would never have thought about. So go on, dive in and see what mistakes you can make this week.
Thank you for reading. Next month, you’ve guessed it, we will be looking at the letter N in terms of wellbeing.
Have a great week. Take care and look after you.
Love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 