Let's take a deep-dive into this mysterious realm known as mental health. Do not fret: while this can seem intimidating, it certainly doesn't have to feel like fighting off a band of kangaroos in your backyard. Like a quiet day at the beach, learning about this subject should bring about calmness and understanding. We're all on this journey together, just like my kids Harlow and Lennox and I often set sail on the Swan River. It's always about discovering, understanding and moving forward.
Imagine your mind as an orchestra. Each section, from the string section to percussion, plays its own distinctive part. If one is off tune, you'll notice! Now, just as a conductor ensures the harmony, our brain must balance our thoughts and emotions. When we have a psychological imbalance, such as anxiety or depression, it's akin to a tuba player deciding he's Mozart and dominating the whole concert. Learning how to rev up your mental health begins with understanding these intricate symphonies.
Did you ever remember a cheese sandwich when you were utterly frustrated? Sounds weird, right? But if Granny's delicious cheese sandwich cheers you up, voila! You've got a coping strategy. Our emotional selves need a deputy that provides immediate backup, kind of like a pocket kangaroo - always ready. While each coping mechanism is unique, the ultimate goal is to help us navigate those tumultuous waves of life.
Here's a story for you. Remember how chill I was when a spider set up camp on my ceiling? Well, two weeks later, it was the size of a hockey puck and moved like lightning. That's how stress works: it can creep up on us and, if we ignore it, blow up into a huge deal. It traffics in subtlety, always lurking around and very often underestimated. It reminds us that mental health includes managing stress and not leaving it to grow into an uninvited eight-legged guest.
Here's a fun fact: Australians are known to be resilient! This trait is not just about surviving bushfires or cyclones; it's about emotional strength too. Resilience can make us the Captain Marvel of mental health. It's our ability to bounce back, to stand up to difficulties, to dust ourselves off and get back on that proverbial horse - or kangaroo, in our case! Building resilience is planting that superhero seed in our minds, and everybody loves a bit of heroism, don't they?
You know that moment when you pick up on the vibes that someone’s having a rough day, without them having to say a word? You’re not psychic (or maybe you are!), but chances are, you have a good dose of emotional intelligence. It's our ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use our feelings. From recognising our own emotions to empathising with others, emotional intelligence can work wonders for mental health. It's like that extra topping on your pizza that just elevates the entire thing!
Remember Bogart, our old Labrador who would get grumpy when it rained? Turns out, we humans can be much the same. External factors like weather, social situations, or even the noise level around us can influence our mental health. It's like we're DJs, mixing and remixing our moods and emotions according to the beat of our surroundings.
Finally, and most importantly, remember that mental health is not a sprint, it's a marathon. And as they tell me at my local running club, 'it's not about speed, it's about endurance.' It's a lifelong journey filled with ups and downs, smooth paths and potholes. Some days we'll feel like a galah soaring through the sky, and some days, well, we might feel a little more like a wobbly wombat! But remember, it's okay, it's normal and above all, it's human. Here's hoping that with understanding and care, your mental health journey, just like a day by the Swan River, will be a calming, peaceful, and fulfilling one.
Written by Madeline Sterling
View all posts by: Madeline Sterling