Why Christmas isn't so merry for some...

Christmas for most is a jolly time, filled with family, food and of course presents! But for some its a tricky time of year.

Many who deal with mental illness find this season difficult, I know I particularly do when I'm expected to be 'merry'. This expectation sometimes makes me feel guilty when I am upset, blaming and forcing myself to feel better.

Christmas can also be a time when people feel most lonely. With everyone going to spending it with families, it can be difficult when you don't have alot of family or are even that close with them. It may that you have to be around family members that you don't particularly get on with, but because this is meant to the time for family you have to suck it up and deal with it.

Below is a list of things/therapy techniques that I've picked found to be useful:

• Don't let anyone tell you it's wrong to feel an emotion. Just because its Christmas does NOT give people the right to tell you how you should or shouldn't feel. If you feel sad, then that's fine, its a completely human emotion and your allowed it feel it regardless of the time of year. Know in yourself that your emotions are valid and normal, no matter the season.
• Keep busy. If you find this a particularly stressful time of year keep yourself busy. There's lots of craft and art things you can do around christmas but if you fancied something non-christmasy, maybe write all your new years resolutions down. 
• Do something for someone else. I find focusing all my energy on doing something nice for someone else a great distraction tool, plus it boosts your self esteem! Make them a Christmas present, plan a nice meal, take them out, help the elderly or the lonely. Maybe even volunteer at a homeless shelter! 
• Treat yourself! Christmas isn't just a time for giving to others, you should also treat yourself, especially if your feeling down. Buy yourself a present, eat your favorite food, watch your favorite films. 
• Plan for the new year! Thinking of the future comforts me when I'm down, the possibilities are endless, and you won't always feel low. Make a list of everything you want to try or experience next year, give yourself something to aim or look forward to. 
• Try to avoid alcohol. As tempting as it may be, and everyone may be drinking this time of year. It'll only make you feel worse! 

These are just a few suggestions and I'm sure there is plenty more information on the internet with more. The main thing to remember is that your aren't alone, there is always someone who feels the same! Help is available if your in a crisis, call 999 or the Samaritans or a trusted friend. 

I hope that everyone keeps well this Christmas. 

Becky. x

Had to share this...

I had to share this quote with you guys. I can really relate to some of the emotions in this and sometimes reading something that just gets how you're feeling can really help. Its easy to feel so alone in your emotions, but its soothing to think that somewhere in the world someone is feeling the same. 

Psychology & mental illness myths. - BUSTED.

A lot of the sigma around mental illness comes from myths and misconceptions about it that have been around for a while. I started looking into it and found some really interest psychology facts as well that I thought I'd share.

Myth- Adults don't grow any new neurons 

Truth - We do grow them, especially in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory forming and emotional responses. 

Myth- Alcohol kills brain cells. 

Truth - It may not 'kill' the cells by excessive drinking may cause damage to the portals that send signals to the brain. 

Myth- Its better to express anger than hold in it. 

Truth- This is something I learnt about during therapy but have also read about in psychology books.  Expressing your anger can actually feed into it and make the aggression worse. I've learnt that dealing with the sadness that often comes with anger is more effective in the long term. 

Myth- We only use 10% of our brain.

Truth - People love the idea that we don't know how to use our brain to its full capacity, just imagine what we could do! But that's simply not the truth. 20% of our energy is used on brain power, and if we used more energy than then, it was simply be difficult or impossible to do anything else but think! 

Myth - You can tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them.

Truth- People with eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. Eating disorders such as bulimia, binge eating and even anorexia can look normal in size. 

Myth- Eating disorders only affect women.
Truth-anyone can be affected by eating disorders, regardless of their gender.

Myth- The media is to blame for eating disorders.
Truth- There are numerous reasons why eating disorders can form, from a traumatic childhood, to genetics or simply a combination of multiple factors. The media may effect some peoples views on their bodies but eating disorders themselves are usually the result of many other reasons.

Myth- Self harm is a suicide attempt.
Truth - Self harm is coping mechanism for dealing with extreme emotions. In some cases, self harm prevents the person from actually attempting suicide.

Myth- There is no cure for mental illness.
Truth - This couldn't be further from the truth, there are many different forms of treatment for every mental illness, from medication to therapies, its about finding the right way to treat it for you.

If you want to learn more about mental illnesses and the common myths, check out the Mind website for a whole bunch of interesting information and advice. And remember that not everything you hear is true!

Becky x