Let's Talk About Mental Health...

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, a very good thing, designed to get people talking about all things mental health related, to educate, inform, start discussions, do away with 'taboos', and ultimately, help anyone who's struggling get the help they need.

A phrase I've seen a lot is 'Your mental health is just as important as your physical health', and the more I see it, the more it bugs me, because surely - they're both part of the same thing?
For example, I suffer with anxiety. Usually, it's low level background noise that I can manage without too much trouble. But when it gets really bad; I can experience migraines, panic attacks, insomnia, loss of appetite (or the opposite - eating everything in sight!) - all physical things that come about as a result of my mental health. I'm fairly sure other mental illnesses come with their share of physical symptoms too, so isn't it time we stopped thinking of Mental & Physical health as two different things?

Are You Taking Good Care of You?

I love a rainbow coloured, sweet smelling bath bomb bath as much as the next person (to be honest, I may as well set up some sort of monthly standing order to feed my Lush habit), but this <<< little guy is my way of saying I'm a tiny bit worried that the phrase 'self care' is becoming sort of like when people thought Hygge was just buying a cosy blanket and stringing up some fairy lights. (Those are gorgeous things too, but there's so much more to Hygge than that! - That's another post for another day!)

For me, self care means being kind to yourself in a million tiny different ways.
Sure, spoiling yourself with fancy baths and your favourite treats is part of it, but it's also all boring but important things; like making sure you get enough sleep, giving yourself time out when everything gets a bit much, drinking plenty of water, taking your makeup off before bed... (subliminal note to self there!)

Make Time For Me Time (Or Y'know - YOU Time!)

'Me Time'. Sounds lovely doesn't it? Maybe a spa style bubble bath with candles and your favourite chillout mix playing... or binge watching a boxset with all the snacks... hiking up a hill and embracing the beauty of nature... indulging your creative urges... yoga... sweating it out in the gym? (I dunno, apparently that's how some people relax, I'm not here to judge.) ANYWAY! However you choose to fill it up, I think we can all agree that 'Me Time' is pretty important, right? So then why do so many of us make so little time for it?!

I know, I know. We're busy, we have commitments, there's work to do and people to see and only so many hours in the day. Long story short, we can't find time. Which is exactly where we're going wrong. We shouldn't be finding time, we should be making it.