Looking after your Mental Health
January has a reputation for being the most depressing month of the year. The christmas lights are gone, the bills have arrived and the year is stretching out ahead of you.
It has become the time of year where the focus is on our physical health and perhaps it’s also a time where we should also start to take care of our mental health.
Mental health is very much over looked in Ireland. We tend not to talk openly about it. Recent advertising campaigns are reassuring us that it’s okay to talk more but are we really doing it?
Here are some tips from The elbowroom Clinic’s Psychotherapists.
- It’s ok to talk about things – whether to a friend, family member or a health professional they will help you get a fresh perspective on your problems.
- Find something positive in your day – it’s the little things that build up into happiness. You can keep them in a gratitude journal or on little notes in a jar to remind you of all the good moments in your life.
- Helping hands – doing something nice for others can help you to feel good too. It doesn’t have to cost anything, compliments are free.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself! – we are our own worst critics. Being aware of the language you use to talk to yourself – would you let a stranger speak to you like that?
If you are concerned about your mental health and would like to speak to a professional please feel free to contact us on 01 677 9859 or email info@the-elbowroom.com.
Mary Barrett – BA. Rel. Sc. and Education, BA Psychology, MA Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dip. Special Ed., Cert. Mindfulness, PSI
My experience has taught me the importance of viewing each person as an individual despite their presenting issue. I use an integrative approach drawing on a variety of theories and techniques including person-centred, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and psychodynamic techniques.