What’s the one thing to prioritise for positive Mental Health?
Nick Elston
Inspirational Speaker & Transformational Speaking Coach
Consider Mental Health a muscle – something we can exercise, shape, influence and forge to become smarter, stronger and fitter.
What’s the one thing to prioritise for positive Mental Health?
“What’s the one thing to prioritise for positive Mental Health?” This is probably the most common question I get asked by audiences, clients, interviewers, reporters and hosts.
The simple answer is ‘recovery’.
We need to clearly define the difference between Mental Illness and Mental Health.
Having experienced both, it gives me real insight to what we can influence and what we cannot.
Mental Illness absolutely needs to be professionally treated.
Mental Health – we all have.
Whether it’s good or bad – we all have Mental Health – just like Physical Health.
So, consider Mental Health a muscle – something we can exercise, shape, influence and forge to become smarter, stronger and fitter.
How do we do that?
It’s what sports coaches call ‘Marginal Gains’ – those daily, incremental, consistent positive tweaks we can make to stack the odds in our favour and produce a big picture result over the longer game.
We cannot control the uncontrollable, the pursuit of doing so will only create extra anxiety – so we need to reclaim choice.
When we struggle with Mental Health, the first thing we sacrifice is choice – when actually, it’s the biggest tool in our armoury – how we choose to proactively go into each and every day.
But, as we start to engage in those small changes, all of the things that contribute to a healthy mind – exercise, sleep, hydration, nutrition, relaxation – especially at the beginning, we end up living a life on the outskirts of our comfort zones.
It’s easier to stay in a position of pain and frustration than it is to do something about it – comfort zones are not always comfortable, just easier.
This is where ‘recovery’ comes in – as we continually pursue our best selves, day after day, it takes a LOT of energy – you may be experiencing that prolonged feeling survival mode as we come to the end of 2020!
If I asked you to get your calendars, your diaries out now – is there a part of your day that is exclusively ring-fenced for you to rest, recover and recharge – so you can go again strong tomorrow?
No? You are not alone.
Where do you feature in your own life?
Diarise just 30 mins a day that is purely for you – do something you love, something that nourishes you – recover!
From someone who has experienced burnout and breakdown – I wish someone had told me this!
Do it today, thank me later!
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Beyond
Beyond is a mental health charity which was formed in 2018 by award winning campaigner Jonny Benjamin MBE. It was created to address the growing need for mental health support for young people. 75% of mental health issues begin in adolescence and yet, according to the NHS, three-quarters of young people who experience mental illness are not receiving treatment. Beyond has so far given out various grants to organisations across the UK who support vulnerable youngsters. The charity is currently developing a nationwide mental health festival for schools called Now and Beyond which will take place in February 2021.
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Haleon
Haleon Plc is a British multinational consumer healthcare company and the largest consumer healthcare business in the world. They are 100% focussed on everyday health with theirleading brands being built on science, innovation and human understanding. Haleion exists to deliver better everyday health with humanity.
Mental Health UK
Bringing together the heritage and 50 years’ experience of four charities across the country, Mental Health UK provides support and services for the biggest societal challenges posing a threat to our mental health - we won’t stop until everyone has the tools they need to live their best possible life.
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