The Effect of Mental Health in Our Lives
The state of our mental health has profound effects on all areas of our lives. Whether we are mentally exhausted, or mentally healthy — we will see it manifest in our work, our relationships, and even in how we handle our personal issues. On this episode, Joyce speak with Glen Tanner, Psychologist and host of MindCog podcast, about mental health in this time of global crisis, and how we can adapt to this new reality.
Coping Up in a Pandemic
A lot of people have been going through so many different things specially during this pandemic. Glen admitted that he himself also struggle like a normal person, even though he’s a psychologist. People are stressed and he was so thankful that because of his trainings, he was able to reduce his anxiety.
Practicing self-love and self-compassion would be the very need during this time. People have been trying to do things all at one and trying to be in control of everything and we never realize that we’re doing it excessively already. If we do it excessively and we’re not allowing ourselves to process things that are happening, that’s the time we really should exercise self-love.
“It’s not helpful to put so much pressure on yourself when there are a lot of things happening around you already.”
How to know when it’s time to seek professional help?
Like what we said, in this time of pandemic, most people are experiencing anxiety, depression and all of these negative emotions seem inevitable. Those emotions are normal feelings especially now that everything seems is very uncertain. We don’t know what the future hold. We might experience lack of sleep, feeling stressed and worried. You don’t need to go straight to a psychologist. Reach out first and ask a family member or a friend because they know us really well. Tell them how you feel. And if you feel that, you know, you're at a point where you really do need help, then please don't hesitate. You know, there's some wonderful psychologists all around the world, and I talk to them all the time. They're full of passion, and they are wonderful people, and they can really help you like therapy. Therapy's incredible thing, it can be very beneficial. (GT)
There’s nothing really wrong in seeking help and doing therapy as long as this will be helpful for our well-being. It’s good to look around towards the people we trust and really ask for help. We should break the stigma of mental health and just start that conversation right now without the fear of being judged or telling somebody that we’re feeling anxious or stressed because we don't want to burden them. Find a community and really start to connect with people. Have that human connection. Take advantage also with the technology to have chats with people. (JP)
“There’s nothing wrong in seeking help and doing therapy as long as this will be helpful for your well-being. ”
What practical ways to lower stress and anxiety levels?
Diet
Don’t get stuck into chocolates and potato chips. These provide little ratchet of sugar heat, which makes us feel good initially. But in the long term, it doesn't do anything for stress. So you really want to be mindful of that and make sure that you're making very good choices in terms of what you're eating. (GT)
Sleep
Get into a regular routine. Go to bed at exactly the same time each night and making sure to not have any coffee before going to bed. Have a separate rooms or environment on where you should be sleeping and not. Try your very best to switch off mobile devices a few hours before you go to sleep. Develop better sleep hygiene. Circadian rhythm has the power to change your mental state so profoundly. And people who fix their rhythm by sleeping the same time and waking up the same time everyday actually feel less anxious because their bodies were able to adjust better. (JP)
Exercise
Gyms might be shut out as of the moment but exercise at home can do. Do yoga or daily meditation.
Journaling
Start writing down. Keep a journal, a gratitude journal could be best. Write your thoughts down. It's only until we manifest those thoughts that we can actually see what they look like. When they're ensconced inside our skull, they take a mind of their own. And they usually do or go to very dark and strange in weird places. So identify the thoughts that you're having, put them down on paper and start to look at them. Is this a realistic thought? What are the chances of this actually happening? Am I buying into something I don't need to be? And above all, speak out and talk to people. (JP)
Tiny changes that we make in our lives actually have the biggest impact in the long run and building healthier daily habits really do affect your mental health. And more than anything, this is really how we start our day, having conversation, reading books, listening to podcast, doing our own research and eventually deciding for yourself what are the changes that you can make, and who are the people that you could reach out to eventually change to the things that you're going through. (JP)
“Tiny changes that we make in our lives actually have the biggest impact in the long run and building healthier daily habits really do affect your mental health. ”
Dealing with Friends/Family Members with Anxiety
Tips for people who are in the lives of others who are experiencing depression and anxiety during this difficult time?
Depression is really a tough thing of loneliness and low mood and a lot of people who are depressed have a lot of negative self-talk and negative beliefs about themselves. And as a friend, be there for them, tell them that they're great, they're incredible, you’re there for them and you’re available to them. Build a connection with them. Small things of appreciation would be very great for them. Everything is rooted in a heart of compassion and empathy for people who are having difficult times. (GT)
How to explain to Baby Boomers and Generation the reality of mental health?
Older generations don’t really believe in depression or they tend to see people with it as just being dramatic and ungrateful. But Glen advised to validate their experience too. Don’t compare your experience with someone else’s because it’s not the same. (GT)
Generation gaps are really tough but as long as we keep bringing up these kinds of discussion and making it normal, that’s how we start breaking down the stigma. We normalize conversation that will be very much approachable eventually.
The most important thing right now is to continue with life and be kind to ourselves. It’s really okay to have bad days and just go with it sometimes but we have to learn how to keep going with the things we love and enjoy the things we’re passionate about. Also, we should set SMART goals. Our life does not end on this pandemic. We have to keep thriving and try to achieve things every day. Then these goals that we’ve set will grow and cultivate new good habits in the long run.
From Episode 49 of Adulting with Joyce Pring: “THE EFFECT MENTAL HEALTH HAS IN OUR LIVES”
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Adulting With Joyce Pring is the How-To’s of your 20’s told by a 20-something, traversing through life expectantly and with gusto!
Episode summary by Chiara
Soli Deo Gloria!