In preparation for UK Mental Health Awareness Week (13th to 19th of May) TEMPUR have conducted a mental health survey.  This year’s awareness week plans to focus on mental health and body image.   

Body image has a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves.  Since having children, I am aware my body has changed.  My hips have widened and my tummy wobbles.  I try not to let it get me down.  I am generally quite an upbeat person.  But then there are times when I do struggle.  I look in the mirror and I don’t like what I see. 

But by avoiding looking at your body you can make things worse.  Learn to look at your lumps and bumps and love them!  Then make an active decision to stop comparing yourself to other people.  If what you’re saying about yourself isn’t helping, STOP!  We really are our biggest critics.  We need to learn to love the body we are in! 

But there are other things that can affect your mental health. 

Sleep 

The NHS recommend seven to nine hours sleep a night.  Yet according to the TEMPUR survey sadly over a quarter of respondents (27%) have less than 6 hours sleep.  With sleep directly impacting how we feel about ourselves, isn’t it time we gave it greater importance?   

REM sleep has been found to contribute to emotional health, so you want to make sure you top up on sleep!  Without enough sleep you can’t think straight or control your emotions.  When I am overtired, I am much harder on myself.  Nothing seems to be going right for me.  After a good night’s sleep, I am much more positive in general. 

Seven in ten Brits considered a new mattress an investment in their mental and physical health. Finding a mattress that adapts to your body as you sleep will ensure you have a more restful night. Your mattress should give you the right level of comfort and support.  The Sleep Council recommend changing your mattress every seven years, but it is advisable to do so sooner if your finding it hard to relax in bed. 

Aside from a suitable mattress I always make sure I drink decaff tea as caffeine can disrupt sleep.  I also try and relax before bed.  If I have been busy blogging, or replying to emails just before falling to sleep I don’t switch off properly.  I need time to unwind before sleep.  A hot bath and a few pages of a good book always help. 

Loneliness 

Social contact is good for your mental health.  However, if you are feeling low you tend to avoid social situations.  It’s a catch 22.  But try and find groups that interest you or volunteer for a local cause.  Doing something you enjoy will give your more confidence.   

I found that when I was working solely from home and not interacting with people, I started to feel quite isolated.  I knew I needed to do something about it so made a few changes.  After that I found an improvement in my mood.  The more I socialized the quicker my spirits lifted! 

Stress 

We all respond to stress factors in our life differently.  Some of us are better adapted to coping with pressure.  A bit of stress is okay, for example if one month we have a tight deadline to meet.  But when you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed and harassed at work or in your personal life then that can grind you down.  Instead of responding effectively to that stress you can become anxious and withdrawn.  My mum had a bowel cancer scare before Christmas and I know that the stress of that did have a big impact on me.  I wasn’t coping particularly well.  What I did was find ways to reduce stress in my life unrelated to my mum’s illness.  Then I felt I could better cope with what was going on.  I stopped helping with the school fundraising committee.  Sometimes you need to come up with a strategy to make life more manageable.  Don’t take on too many commitments make yourself a priority!

Don’t be afraid to say how your feeling, read my post about getting past the stigma of mental health.

This post to raise Mental Health Awareness is in collaboration with TEMPUR, but all thoughts are my own.