Mental Health Awareness Week 14-20 May 2018

6 Things That Help My Mental Health, as Someone with a Chronic Illness

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week here in the UK (14-20 May) and, according to the charity Mind, approximately 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year.  As a person with a chronic illness, this statistic doesn’t surprise me; in fact, the National Institute of Mental Health cites that those of us with chronic medical conditions are more likely to suffer from depression, either from the illness itself causing changes within the brain, or because illness-related stress and anxiety can trigger mental health symptoms.

I have previously written about how my Multiple Sclerosis affects my mental health.  I feel that, over the past year or so, I have really started to recognise what helps me to keep on an even keel and I thought that it would be helpful to share my thoughts about what works for me in this post.

Recognising that I am going to have good and bad days

And that this is ok.  In my experience, being diagnosed with and living with a chronic illness is a bit like having a death in the family – I go through times when I feel angry, distraught and frustrated for the loss that I feel for the life that I once had and for the life that I had planned to have.  Other days, I feel more optimistic; I am proud of myself for ‘keeping going’ and trying my best, despite having an incurable, degenerative illness.  There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to when I feel down or when I feel good.  I think that the important thing for me is to recognise that there will be times that I feel rubbish and that those are the times that I need to be extra gentle with myself; tending to my emotional needs and carrying out activities that can make me feel better.  For me personally, this means…

Concentrating on the breath

Whether through meditation, yoga or just lying down for some quiet time.  Earlier this year, I completed a month-long meditation challenge to see if it would help my stress and anxiety levels… and it really did.  The challenge helped me to see the value of taking time out to clear my head of all its thoughts  – it helps me to feel more able to deal with stressors that crop up  (like work pressures or family life) or that are ongoing and out of my control (like my health).  I can’t exercise in the same way as I used to (running) so gentle yoga also gives me a mini ‘exercise high’.  Meditation or yoga might not be for everyone, but I think the chance to ‘get away from it all’, perhaps with a run or a walk, a read of a good book or some time to do something that you love is so restorative, for body and mind.

Keeping a journal

I used to keep a diary from the age of 14 to about 21… I used it as a space to just blurt out my thoughts about growing up as a teen, including my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis at age 15.  After an 18 year hiatus, I have gone back to keeping a journal, spurred on by MS friends saying how much it helps them to write about their thoughts and feelings.  I don’t do it every day and I am aware that my blog is also a bit of an ‘online journal’, but I’ve found that using one is very cathartic and allows me the time to reflect on my feelings.

Not being afraid to talk

Similar to use a diary or journal I guess, but talking to real life people is also so important to my mental health.  I know that I can speak to my husband, family and friends if I need to about any worries that I may have.  The online chronic illness community is also a lifeline, especially because there is not a local MS group to meet with where I live.  Whilst family and friends can sympathise, others going through the same experiences as me truly understand when I am saying that I am ‘having a bad day’, or moaning about the stress or symptoms involved in having a a chronic health condition like MS.  I would highly recommend reaching out to others in this way; most support and information pages associated with a specific illness will also have a forum attached where you can chat to others in confidence, using a non-identifiable username, if needed.

*** The Samaritans, here in the UK, is a free, confidential line on Tel: 116 123 that offers you the chance to chat about whatever’s bothering you.  ***

Using medication

Because sometimes chatting, journaling, meditation and yoga needs to be supplemented by something that is prescribed from the doctor.  I know that I feel so much better since approaching my GP in regards to this, and I see taking medication as something that is part of the holistic management for my mental health.

Keeping as organised as I can be

Bit of a random one, but something that I have certainly noticed over the past couple of years is how much I can become anxious at the state of the house or my personal possessions if they are not in order.  I like everything to have its place and to be organised.  It just feels like not having to worry about mess or wondering where things are really helps – perhaps less ‘mental load’ = less stress?  Whatever the answer, it is a bit of an ongoing battle with the kids to help them see it my way, but I am sure that I will get there one day 😉

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So, these are the things that seem to help me in regards to my mental health… I’d love to hear if you have found things that help you too.  Have a lovely rest of the week 🙂