The week 11th – 17th May 2015 is Mental Health Awareness Week. The Mental Health Foundation will be staging events across the country to raise awareness of how anxiety and sleep deprivation can affect mental health.
Various complementary therapies are particularly beneficial for positive mental health and greater wellbeing. Reiki healing, for example, calms the mind and emotions and restores balance, peace and harmony. Healing is channelled through the practitioner into the body, chakras and energy field of the receiver using a light touch. Many people report feeling lighter after a treatment as worry and grief are released from their energy field during treatment. Indian Head Massage and Back Massage are very effective in terms of relieving tension and anxiety held in the neck, shoulders and upper back. Reflexology can be beneficial in relieving the physical manifestations of stress, calming the adrenals and rebalancing the physical body.
Alternatively you may like to try some Mindfulness techniques to restore calm, control and perspective. Mindfulness Meditation helps you to be in the present moment, not worrying about the future or the past or getting caught up in negative emotions. Here are some suggestions which can easily be incorporated into your daily life. Making them a regular habit is the key to success!
- Take a 2 or 3 minute breathing space when necessary at work or at home. Stop what you are for 2 or 3 minutes and focus solely on your breathing.
- Become mindful of how you talk to yourself. Become aware of statements such as “I can’t do that”, “I’ll never be good enough”, “I can’t cope”, “I’m not attractive enough” or “I’m not clever enough”. Nothing destroys self-esteem quicker that negative self-talk. The way you talk to yourself reflects deep held inner beliefs which, when negative, need examining and releasing. Every time you catch yourself making a negative comment about yourself, stop the thought and choose a different one, such as “I can do this”, “I am as good as everyone else here” or “I always do my best”.
- Practice being fully present in the present moment. Note where your mind actually is when carrying out routine tasks such as preparing or eating a meal, drinking a cup of tea, brushing your teeth, walking the dog or out with a friend. Make the effort to focus completely on what you are doing instead of letting your mind wander off worrying about something else.
- Practice a simple Mindfulness breathing technique for a few minutes two or three times a day, such as just after waking up, on the bus journey to work, at lunch or before you go to bed. Place one hand on your chest and feel your breath moving into and out of your body. Notice the natural rhythm. Be aware of the coolness of the air as you breathe in and the warmth of the air leaving you as you exhale.
Notes:
- For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week please visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk.
- Reiki healing, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology and other complementary therapies are available with Helen Shortland,
Helen Shortland is a Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher and Holistic Therapist based at 15 Wheeler Gate in Nottingham city centre. For further information please visit her website http://helenshortland.com or ‘like’ her Facebook page Helen Shortland Holistics.
Helen Shortland 