Mental Health, Meditation, and Self Care

Welcome to the second instalment of my "Let's Talk" series. Seeing as this week (18th-24th May) is Mental Health Week and also today (21st May) being World Meditation Day, I thought it would be the right time for me to speak about my own experience with Mental Health, what I do to relax and destress, and also what my self-care routine can look like.

Let's start by speaking about Mental Health. Mental Health can mean something completely different to every individual. According to the Oxford Dictionary, Mental Health can be defined as "a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being". I personally didn't talk/think about my mental health much until a few months ago when I decided to stop taking the contraceptive pill after about four years. The pill unfortunately made me both gain weight and affected me mentally in quite a negative way. My decision to come off the pill came along with a recent breakup and of course just like anyone who may have had their heart broken, I felt like my world had come crashing down. I was constantly battling with my emotions, one day I would feel so content, the next I was probably crying all day. I learnt to keep this under control by keeping myself occupied, putting myself into work, and doing the things I enjoyed most. I also allowed myself to understand that it is okay to have bad days and days where you generally just don't want to do anything. On those kind of days, I try and speak to people who bring joy to my life, watch things which make me laugh, workout to release the stress if I feel up for it, and give myself a good pamper session to feel better. Not only was dealing with a breakup hard during lockdown but unfortunately I lost my job which made things 10 times harder than before. However, I am a true believer in everything happens for a reason. I am pleased to say that during these unforgettable times, being in lockdown for just under two months, and spending so much time with myself, I have been able to find my feet, find the real me, and build my confidence back up after so many years of not having any! Be proud of both your good and bad days because the rainbow will be brighter in the end!

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Now seeing as it is meditation day while I am writing this, I thought I would quickly touch on this subject as it fits in well with Mental Health Week. From my own personal experience, I find it very difficult to follow along with meditation or yoga type videos. Personally I find watching those who I follow on Youtube a place to escape, unwind, and relax. I also find listening to podcasts, listening to my favourite music, and reading blogs as a great way to relax and take time out for myself. I have also started writing a diary entry each evening after seeing Georgia May's Instagram Story. I have done my own take on this but I include, at what time I am writing the entry, the date, what song I have been enjoying or heard that day, what I have been watching, how I have been feeling on that day, and what I am feeling grateful for. I find this a great way to destress after the day, let everything out, and of course in a few years I will be able to look back at each entry. Even if you are like me and find meditation or yoga hard to follow, just ensure you are taking time out even if it is 5-20 minutes a day to reboot, re-energise, and breathe.

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Lastly, I wanted to share with you what my self-care day/routine sometimes looks like. I find it to be very simple, easy to follow, and it really does help me to unwind and relax. I normally tend to do my self-care routine on a Sunday to restart for the next week ahead or just when I am feeling that I need a little pick me up.

- Clean my space/room up (clean room, clear mind)

- Listen to my favourite music (Normally on during the whole day)

- Either exercise in the morning or evening (currently following a 12 week plan)

- Have a bath or shower (Normally a bath so I can shave, do a scrub and a hair mask)

- Put on a face mask (I am currently loving the Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Charcoal Thermal Detox Mask)

- Moisture my body (Obsessed with Soap and Glory products)

- Light some candles or let the natural sunlight in

- Get dressed (Normally in PJS)

- Paint my nails (Normally just my toes at the moment)

- Do my eyebrows (Just plucking the annoying hairs that shouldn't be there)

- Spend the day doing whatever I feel up for or want to do (Normally watching YouTube)

- Finish the day with evening skincare (cleanser, toner, eye cream, and moisturiser)

I hope you are staying well and safe still during these times! Make sure you speak to those who brighten your day, check up on those who maybe struggling and, make sure you are giving yourself time to relax, destress and unwind every now and again or even every day! If you have anything to ask, please let me know. Also if you missed the first instalment of Let's Talk, click the link to read.

Xx