Self Care Saturday - Mental Health Day

Today is Mental Health day and as with a lot of things, there is still a bit of a taboo about speaking out on Mental Health, which of course makes it top of our list to discuss.

Here at Team Cheeky we all understand the importance of awareness around mental health.  Like many of you, some of us have struggled with anxiety and depression or have lived with partners who struggle to manage that troll of depression in their head. And as some of us here on the team head towards menopause, we are struggling monthly with the impact of lower progesterone.  Massive mood swings and rage anyone?

Here we thought we would share our own personal tips for how we manage our mental health.  We hope it helps....

Helen (Founder)

 "My partner and I have recently split up partly due to his ongoing bouts of anxiety which left him unable to avoid being overwhelmed by       his thoughts and emotions. It was painful to watch him battle the tangle in his head, with catastrophising, low self esteem and mind       reading affecting his mood for months at a time.  It's very difficult to get someone who is in this state to realise that the way they are       feeling, isn't 'normal' for most people, even though it seems normal for them.  

I have always said that I don't suffer from anxiety, but over the last year I have been listening to the Brene Brown 'Unlocking Us' podcast series and realised that actually I do, however I'm a classic over-functioner:

• Move quickly to give advice 
• Rescue / take-over / push through 
• I won’t feel, I do 
• I don’t need help, I help 
• Get into other people’s business rather than look inward 
• Stay tough and in control, fiercely determined and out of vulnerability by protecting

Fresh Air and Movement

For me,  the best way I can hit the 'reset' button is getting outside for a dog walk.  I am lucky enough to live on the coast beside the South Downs,  so have the choice of windy beach walks or calming forest walks.   Just enjoying the view and watching my staffy's joy whilst walking is enough to ground me and get me out of my head and back into being present and calm.

Meditation

Meditation is my secret weapon when I am struggling. Taking just 12 minutes first thing in the morning to be still and quiet, thinking about nothing other than my breath will stay with me for the day, allowing me to come back to that place of calm later in the day,  simply by taking a few moments to breathe and centre myself again.  I highly recommend the Calm app which has a host of guided meditations,  including 'how to meditate' which is brilliant,  if,  like me, you're a beginner.  Plus it has a range of excellent  bed time stories to help you sleep,  including one with the rather lush Matthew McConaghey!"

Vanessa Mills (Social Media & Customer Service Assistant) 

      Going to get my nails done - I now have a recurring appointment with a lovely lady every 3 weeks and they make me happy. I get up       early 3 mornings a week to do Jemma's Health Hub and I always feel a million times better for it. She focuses on exercising for our       mental health and is fantastic. Becoming a Hubber is one of the best things I have done. Going to the seaside. I'm lucky enough to         live within an hour's drive from the coast and it really clears my head. If I'm honest though, a hot beach is where I really find my Zen. 

The most important thing for me personally to look after my own mental health is to remember and consistently take my anti-depressants. At the moment, without them in my mind would not be in a good place and no amount of self care would be able to be enjoyed. So if you are feeling consistently low, speak to your doctor. They won't jump to prescribe you pills, but it might be what's needed at this time. Also, therapy is magic and if you are able to speak to someone, then do. Therapy is one of the best things I have ever done. 

Issie Pickup (Marketing Executive) 

      I am very open with my mental health, not only because I believe it to be very important but also due to the affect it has had on my       family. In the current climate it seems more important than ever to ensure that we are checking in with ourselves and talking about how we are feeling. When it comes to self care, I love a good pamper. From getting my nails done, my eyelashes done, having a facial (my sister is the BEST at facials), if not then a nice glow mask, hair mask and a chick flick (Bride Wars, 27 Dresses, Devil Wears Prada you name it i've seen it...) can make me feel a million dollars. 

I could not live without my humidifier, I find an evening yoga session with the delicate smells of essential oils surrounding me makes me feel wholesome inside. A good book/ a power run are also key to my well-being. Laughter therapy always works too. 

Claire Squires (Warehouse Manager) 

     Ok, my number one is to walk my dog; Fresh air and just him and I. I have a self care Sunday (or Saturday) which I try to do every        week: face pack and lay on my bed for 15 mins. A thing I've started to do everyday now on my FITBIT is mindfulness. The different        free sessions you can do but I try to do the 2 min stress reliever, every night when I get home from work or before bed. 

Bev Foard (Warehouse Stock Manager) 

      I love my Saturday morning with my dog, just him and I for an hour along the seafront, helps blow the stress of the week away and          sets me up nicely to relax and enjoy my weekend and recharge my batteries. 

      I don't have a regular self care routine, but  I have recently started Les Mills, to aid my fitness I love to unwind in a fantasy world of       reading, that helps me switch off from the normal stresses of life, I do this every day. 

Claire Sheridan (Operations & Business Development Manager) 

      I am probably the worst person to ask as I hardly make any time! But I do make sure I lock myself away in the bathroom every now       and then with a bubble bath and audiobook. 

 Sam Armstrong (Marketing Manager) ​

           To decompress after a busy or stressful day I either do some yoga & guided meditation or take my lovely labrador Max for a long            walk & listen to my favourite podcast. 

Jo VanHuet (Customer Service Manager) 

      I found during lockdown that with 2 kids at home and my husband and I working full time at home that self care seemed to have              moved further down the 'to do' list. I made a real effort to change that and in recent weeks I have got back to paying myself some            attention. 

      This ranges from putting all my energy into a kitchen Hiit session to lying in bed in the afternoon with a cuppa catching up on a box set.  They are at opposite ends of the spectrum but I find them equally restorative. 

Missing our on a couple of yearly trips away with girlfriends has been really disappointing but despite the Zoom fatigue, there is sometimes nothing more enjoyable than a shared G&T over a screen, from my bed, in my pj's... recreating what would happen if we were sharing a hotel room! 

Carving out the time to restore and balance myself is more and more important and I definitely notice the difference (as do my kids and husband!) 

- - - - - - 

Your mental health is a priority, be kind to eachother and yourself. Talk about how you are feeling, Let's end the stigma together. 

Love the Cheeky Team x