Mental Health Awareness Week: 7 Lessons I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self
We all know that mental health is important but when our mental health deteriorates from stress and we feel out of control, it can be hard to understand how to navigate it.
"Too much stress is bad, you should prioritise your mental health."
We've all heard this advice.
But when your mental health deteriorates from stress for the first time, figuring out how to actually prioritise it can feel complex and isolating.
Let's not start with the stigma that still holds.
It took me years of reading, research, and therapy to truly understand mental health.
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week (13-17 May), here are 7 tips I wish I could share with my younger self who went through extreme burnout, quit her job and packed up her life in desperation to survive:
1. Mental Health is Physical Health
Your brain is an organ, and just like any other organ, it can malfunction if not treated well. Sometimes, thoughts alone can't control it – it can become physical. A "strong" mindset won't fix it at this point. Drop the ego and stigma, you need help.
2. Prolonged Stress Can Physically Alter Your Brain
Stress is real. The fight-or-flight part of your brain (the amygdala) can expand when overly stimulated and may take years to return to its original size. Be gentle with your recovery.
3. Therapy and Coaching is One of Life's Biggest Hacks
If you have access to therapy, use it. Asking for help doesn't mean something is wrong with you. We can all improve. It’s a powerful tool for growth, reducing stress, and improving relationships.
4. Anxiety is Your Body's Natural Alarm System
Everything in our bodies has a purpose and anxiety is there to alarm you to tell you something isn't right. Pay attention to what it's telling you rather than ignoring it.
5. Chronic Stress is Not Normal or Admirable
Feeling stressed, anxious, and exhausted all the time isn’t a badge of honour. No human can cope with stress for long periods of time. The most attractive and impressive thing to have is good health.
6. You Deserve More Joy
It’s possible to feel happy 80% of the time, with manageable lows. Constant extreme lows don’t have to be your norm. There is more out there for you if you are open to growth.
7. The Right Support Matters
If therapy or coaching hasn’t worked for you, the problem might be the practitioner. Don’t give up; finding the right one can make all the difference.
If you are struggling with burn out or overwhelm right now, you don't have to figure things out alone. Reach out to me or seek support through your job or local services.
