WEATHERING THE STORM: Maintaining emotional and mental fitness in times of stress

BY THE TEAM AT HEART AND MIND COLLECTIVE

During the current cost–of–living stress, mortgage crisis, issues with finding accommodation, and affordable healthcare, despite our individual circumstances, we can all relate to the impact it has on ourselves and our families. Here are some practical ways to alleviate burden.

Our community is one to be celebrated and we are all here to support each other. Prioritising our social–emotional–wellbeing maintains our resilience and capabilities to ride out these challenging times.

For a list of practical and free mental health resources, please visit our website. Selina Chapman – Psychologist

INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS

I want to share a beautiful reminder that even in difficult times, our relationships can sustain us, and love, and connections are cost–free.

“When all things are cancelled, LOVE is not cancelled” – Charley Mackesy, “The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse”.

Denying children’s ‘pester–power’ is tough, however engaging in activities WITH our children instead of seeking paid activities strengthens our bond with them. It’s always their attachment to us that matters most, and time spent with family creates beautiful priceless long–lasting memories.

Writing a heartfelt letter to a friend, making that overdue phone call, cooking, spending time over a meal, or going on walks are all wonderful ways to connect without spending much money. It is within these connections that we also create a community where we can share resources and support each other.

For more ideas see www.raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/connectingcommunicating/connecting/enjoying-time

Lindie Nell – Co–Director of The Heart and Mind Collective and Accredited mental health social worker

The Power Of Play

When a system is under pressure, it can create a dynamic much like a ship at sea, springing leaks and taking on water. Family members rise to respond, plugging the immediate holes, our mental wellbeing can be on edge, and play seems counter intuitive when things are serious and difficult.

Play is in fact serious business, not only for children but for an entire family’s wellbeing when we feel stressed and is one way to add “buoyancy” or resilience back into the system.

In moving, playing, and having simultaneous experiences in the world together the child and carer’s neurobiology becomes in–sync, reducing stress, regulating breathing and heart rate, increasing feelings of connectedness, and improving emotional wellbeing for both.

Play can look different for different families, for example spending 15 minutes in a back and forth role play, immersive play building forts and sandcastles at the beach, or perhaps connecting with each other and with the community at a Park Run (all free).

Children are wonderful at continuing to invite adults to play, and it may be in accepting the invitation to play that you can notice how even a short amount of play can boost both the mood and ability to tolerate stress in your family system.

Veronica McKibbin – Child and Family Therapist / Counsellor

IT’S IN THE LITTLE THINGS

ƒ Financial planning – take control of your finances by creating a budget, prioritizing expenses, and exploring ways to increase income or reduce costs. Financial literacy resources and financial counselling may be available in your community or online.

ƒ Stay connected – keep in touch with friends and family for emotional support, and sharing concerns and experiences can provide relief and perspective.

Ash and Amelia – Administration Team.

Riding Out A Worry Storm

It’s never been more important to find ways to look after our emotional and mental wellbeing than now. When we push away from uncomfortable worries and anxious thoughts, the more we struggle, and the more these thoughts and feelings can grow and take hold.

“Dropping anchor” is an effective, simple, and quick technique from Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) that many people find helpful when feeling overwhelmed.

Imagine your worries are like an emotional storm and you are a boat that has just made it into harbour. This technique helps you drop your anchor so you can ride out the storm.

STEP ONE

Take a moment, acknowledge any difficult thoughts or feelings and put what you notice into words “Here’s anger”, “I’m noticing worry”.

Important! Don’t try to change your thoughts or feelings. They are just there.

STEP TWO

Focus on your body. Move in some way, stretch, change your posture or your breathing, push your feet into the floor. Notice your worry and stress is contained by your body. You can control your body.

STEP THREE

Observe where you are, what you are doing and what you can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. Describe what you notice to yourself. You can be present in the room even with these difficult thoughts and feelings.

Repeat these steps 2–3 times. It can take a few rounds to come back into the present moment. Are there any difference? Are you less stuck to your worries?

Please be kind to yourself in life, there are no wrong thoughts or feelings.

For more information see www.actmindfully.com

Chris Denne – Mental Health Social Worker

We’re at The Heart and Mind Collective in Wyoming. The wellbeing of our community is important.

Our multidisciplined team is available to connect with via 02 4327 9435 or theheartandmindcollective.squarespace.com/ admin@heartandmindcollective.com.au