MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2018 WITH I'M NOT DISORDERED | POST SEVEN | EVENTS | AD

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

So, I spent DAY ONE of Mental Health Awareness Week with a couple of organisations who were hosting a night of stand-up comedy, live music, and poetry. And it was such a hilarious, interesting, inspiring, and insightful night with great company, and plenty of drinks!

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2018 WITH I'M NOT DISORDERED | POST SIX | COLLABORATION WITH NORTHUMBERLAND, TYNE & WEAR NHS FOUNDATION TRUST | A REVIEW ON THEIR SELF-HELP GUIDE FOR STRESS | AD

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

I was meeting with the Head of Communications for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW) when she began telling me about the re-design of their self-help guides when she offered me a box with the entire collection in! It was such a kind gift and I agreed to write a review on the ‘Stress’ self-help guide for Mental Health Awareness Week.

This particular guide was written by Dr Lesley Maunder and Lorna Cameron, Consultant Clinical Psychologists for Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK WITH I'M NOT DISORDERED | POST FIVE | COLLABORATION WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST | HOW TRIPS OUT CAN HELP MANAGE YOUR STRESS LEVELS | CRAGSIDE | AD

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

As much as I enjoy my work/what I do – and I know I’m incredibly lucky to have this – sometimes I need a break. A little time to myself or to do something fun and exciting and interesting.

I try to have at least one day a week completely to myself to spend time in my home with my pets (I have a cat called Dolly and a bunny called Pixie). I’ll sleep in, watch Pretty Little Liars on Netflix, plan on The Sims(Freeplay), eat, and have a little pamper session with nail painting, face masks, pore strips, and a shower. And obviously finish the day off with a cold Baileys!!

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2018 WITH I'M NOT DISORDERED | POST FOUR | HOW DO YOU COPE WITH STRESS?

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

How do you cope with stress?

@loydall_stefan

I manage stress by going for walks around places I have never been so it occupies my mind when I get a little lost

@RichSpecials

I manage stress by talking to my family who are able to give me advice & a different view on things








anonymous
I confide in friends

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2018 WITH I'M NOT DISORDERED | POST THREE | THREE WAYS TO COPE WITH STRESS

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

1.     BREATHE

There are some wonderful breathing exercises out there that are designed to stop people from getting overly stressed, as this may lead to panic attacks. There’s an exercise that I was once taught in the Mindfulness component of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. I often use it and find it helps relieve my levels of stress. You start by sitting still, letting yourself feel

everything that is touching your skin, your jumper, your leggings, the fabric of the seat beneath you… And then – on both feet – scrunch up your toes and feel all of the muscles tighten in your feet, and then relax them. Move slowly up each of your body parts, tensing each muscle, being aware of it, and then releasing it. I find that it really helps to slow your breathing and bring yourself to the present when you’ve been stressing about what is coming – or what might be coming!