MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2022 - NEW ZEALAND
How are you really feeling today? What sensations do you feel in your body?
Did you know that there is a direct relationship between our thoughts, our emotions, and therefore the reactions that happen internally in our bodies?
We live in a society full of pressure, judgement, stress, deadlines, overwhelm, anxiety and trauma. It is normal to go through ups and downs in life. It is how we grow learn, and develop coping mechanisms and resilience as humans. However it is vital we choose tools that are positive to our recovery during these times.
My name is Renée Malyon and I am a Senior Physiotherapist at Auckland Physiotherapy, and the founder of Haven Wellness. I am very passionate about mental wellness with my own life experience, and having the realisation that the mind is so interconnected with what I do helping people as a Physiotherapist.
I have a special interest in women’s and pelvic health Physiotherapy, clinical Pilates, and health promotion – including corporate health, ergonomics, sleep, and mental wellbeing. I am a qualified Mindfulness teacher through the Holistic Therapies Institute in the UK, and I am also trained in some forms of Somatic Trauma Release therapy.
My Top 10 Tips for Mental Wellbeing:
1) Provide a safe and secure environment to those who share with you. We all want to feel this when being vulnerable and opening up. When you learn to do that for others, you will find the value in receiving that yourself.
2) Practice mindful breath work and meditation – daily. You can do it anywhere, anytime. Find stillness as frequently as you can to instil focus, a sense of grounding, and increase your sense of calm. Learn these life changing skills...they are not just for hippies I promise.
3) Stress is real and you shouldn’t ignore its ability to affect your body. Many symptoms’ people go to the GP for a due to stress. Did you know that calming down your nervous system regularly through the day using breath awareness meditation, visualisation, mindful movement, and many other tools, can reduce the effects of stress on your body?
4) Journaling can be a great way to name the emotions you are feeling, and therefore understand your thoughts. This in turn will affect how you feel mentally but then how your body feels physically i.e. pain, tension etc.
5) Gratitude practice can trigger certain reactions in the brain to immediately change your mood. You can practice this in written form, in meditation, or even in front of a mirror. It can be beneficial to do before bed to help improve sleep.
6) Eat healthy fresh food, reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption, and focus on quality sleep routine methods. Keep your lights low at night, and use dark modes on all of your technology. There is software you can even download now on to your computers.
7) Exercise, especially in nature, can help improve your mood and energy. Stop and really SEE the beauty around you.
8) 'Acceptance' is a big one. We simply cannot control everything in life. The things we can control are: exercise, food intake, sleep, choosing healthy coping tools, what you are saying to yourself and others, controlling your media observation, boundaries of your energy and people, expectations of yourself and others, and mindfulness practice – choosing how you want to respond to situations and conflict. Acceptance also to others, situations, yourself, the past etc.
9) 'Letting go' and forgiveness. These relate to acceptance also. Learn to forgive and let go of situations, conflict, even your thoughts and beliefs that may be holding you back from living a truly fulfilled and happy life.
10) Practice compassion and kindness…it seems simple but having an open mind with true empathy and understanding for others seems to be lost in today’s society. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Respect yourself, respect others, respect the environment.
There are lots of amazing resources and contact details for helplines on mentalhealth.org.nz.
If you are interested in learning more about what I have to offer, and what would be right for you, please feel free to contact me on havenforwellness@gmail.com, and we can a free phone consultation.
Photo credit to my wonderful husband, Scott Malyon, during our hike up Wye Creek in Queenstown this winter.
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