25 January 2021
Starting 2021 in a third national lockdown may not have been the start to the new year that we hoped for. It’s important to reflect on our mental health and think about what we can do to help ourselves get through this difficult time.
Thursday 4th February is ‘Time To Talk Day’ encouraging us all to reach out and talk about our mental health. It's important to remember it's okay not to be okay right now. And, tell someone about it.
With this in mind, we have created a Mental Fitness month, in conjunction with our friend James Lamper, Clinical Director of EmotionMatters, to bring you a collection of mental health tips and advice throughout February.
MENTAL FITNESS - WEEK ONE - STRESS AND ANXIETY
Many of us may be experiencing stress and anxiety during this time, finding ourselves worrying about COVID, our loved ones and what the future holds. You might find yourself overthinking and constantly worrying about different things. Anxiety might also show up for you as a physical experience, feeling constantly on edge and finding it hard to relax.
There are many sources of anxiety that we are facing right now. Some of us may be shielding vulnerable family members and worrying about keeping healthy and safe. Some of us may be balancing different responsibilities and struggling to find a way to relax without feeling overwhelmed. Some of us may feel trapped indoors, and the cold weather may make us feel that the outdoors is a less enticing place to be.
It is important to be kind to yourself - feeling anxious or stressed during these times is normal.
Check out our tips below to help you manage your anxiety and help you get through this lockdown:
Stay connected - while we are unable to meet face-to-face with our friends and family, try and stay connected online. Organise a Zoom quiz with your family, call a friend while on your daily walk, or check in with an important person in your life and ask them how they are feeling and what they have been doing to look after their mental health. Remember that sharing how you’re feeling with others can help you feel more connected and understood and looking after others will give you a boost as well!
Reduce caffeine - try to limit how much coffee or tea you drink, as caffeine can increase your levels of stress hormones and worsen your anxiety. Reduce the number of caffeinated drinks you have in a day, or invest in some decaf options.
Practise breathing exercises - if you’re feeling overwhelmed and find your anxiety is affecting you physically, take a moment to focus on your breathing. Slowly inhale a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and slowly exhale. Doing this a few times can help your body slow down and help you feel grounded.
BOOM OFFER
If you, or someone you know, needs a little extra support to get on top of some mental health issues, EmotionMatters has a large experienced team of counsellors, psychotherapists and clinical psychologists who can help you move towards mental wellness.
To coincide with national ‘Time To Talk’ day on February 4th, EmotionMatters are offering all Boom riders, and their friends and family, two sessions free when they choose to start therapy and purchase an initial block of 6-sessions.
All you need to do is go to the EmotionMatters website and book a free assessment call. On the call mention BOOM FEBRUARY OFFER, and after your initial free 30-minute session with one of the therapists, if you decide to move forwards with an initial block of 6-sessions, you will get 2 extra sessions for free.
All sessions are online from the safety of your home during lockdown. Make sure you book your assessment call before 28th February 2021, and all initial blocks of therapy must start before 31st March 2021 for the offer to be valid.
