5 Ways to Care for Your Mental Health

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By Zoe Thomson

Talking therapy was one of the best things I’d ever done for my mental health. But if I’d chosen to access it through the NHS, I would have been at the bottom of a very, very long waiting list. Unfortunately, mental health services are still scarce, and a vast majority of them are inaccessible to many people, due to the high cost of therapy.

Priced out of therapy?

I chose to see a counsellor privately, for £45 per weekly session – and this was cheap for my area! I saw therapy as an investment, so even though it was expensive, the help I’d receive would be worth every penny in the long run. However, I am very lucky to still be living at home, with a full time job, so that I could afford the expense. I understand that this isn’t possible for everyone. It’s upsetting and frustrating that a lot of people can’t access necessary services because they can’t afford it.

I’ve found a few alternatives and lifestyle changes that have been very helpful before, after, and in between therapy sessions. These are a fraction of the cost of talking therapy, and may keep you afloat while you wait to be seen on the NHS or save for private treatment.

Staying afloat when you can’t access help

Talk to someone

Conversation is a powerful tool, and one that is often overlooked. A trusted support network can get you through a tough time. After a bad day, sometimes a listening ear is all you need. If you have someone in your life who you can vent to without judgement, knowing you’re not alone, this is probably the closest thing you’ll get to talking therapy.

Exercise

I know, I don’t like it either – but there’s no debate – exercise releases endorphins and reduces stress. I go for a run or take Angus on a long walk. The time outside in the fresh air makes me feel so energised and positive, and exercising also improves my body confidence and self-esteem.

You might prefer something low impact like hiking or yoga. Or you might enjoy the social aspect of a team sport instead of a solo workout. If you joined the gym years ago and have hated it ever since, find something you do like!

Meditate

Meditating is wonderful when I’m stressed or anxious. There are plenty of meditation tracks and videos on Spotify and YouTube, guided or unguided, that’ll completely change your state of mind in just a few minutes. If you’ve never tried it before or are sceptical, give it a try, because I was once sceptical too.

Listen to podcasts/Read self help books

These can be valuable insights into the world of psychology, how our minds work and how to better manage our mental health. I’ve only read a few self-help books, but I find reading such a great escape and stress buster anyway. I like listening to podcasts in the car on my way to work, because it puts me in the right frame of mind for the day ahead.

Write it all down

How do you think I started this blog? Writing down my upsets, frustrations, and good times has been so rewarding and beneficial to my mental health. Getting all of the words out of my mind and on paper to analyse and reflect on. They’re also really great to look back on to see how far you’ve come. My counsellor and I called my notebook my ‘Paper therapist’!

I hope these tips help you, whether you are in the process of receiving treatment, waiting for therapy, or unable to access it. If you can find the time to incorporate just one of these things into your everyday life, it’d make such a huge difference – believe me, I know! We all have mental health, and we owe it to ourselves to take care of it.

Reproduced with permission, originally posted here nolightwithoutdarkness.com