Mental Health Immunity Is Important Too!

By ALICE O’BRIEN Churchview Therapies, Millstreet

September is upon us. The long days of summer are being replaced with a shorter evening, cosy fires, autumn leaves and back to school. With that our thoughts turn to immunity, keeping ourselves as healthy as we can so we don’t miss school days or work commitments. We stock up on all the relevant vitamins, we read articles- probably beside this one from Mairead in New Leaf who will impart her wisdom on what supplements we need and what to do.

But what about our mental health immunity? We need to protect our mental health also, we need to make sure don’t become rundown emotionally and burn out in the weeks and months ahead. Looking at our mental health like a bank account, can be very helpful. In our bank account there will be lodgement and withdrawals. We would love if we had all the money going in and none coming out but banks don’t work like that. We can’t avoid the withdrawals, but if we make enough lodgements we can cover it. Our mental health is similar; we can’t avoid the stress - the withdrawals - but if we make enough lodgements, we can cover the balance.

So, how can you make a lodgement into your mental health bank? Doing things that bring us a sense of pleasure and taking time to notice that pleasure is one example – going for the walk in nature, purposely listening to the sounds around you as you walk, smelling the autumn air, even picking a few blackberries.

Other lodgements could include being in the company of people you enjoy, taking in the laughter, the chat, the fun around you. Taking time out for yourself is also a huge help, watching your favourite movie in your most comfortable chair.

So, build up your mental health immunity as best you can, plant the seeds and you will reap the harvest when you need it most.