6 Small Things That Can Help You Manage Your Mental Health by Anita Ginsburg.

June 21, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 5 Comments

(Image: Unsplash: Gabrielle Henderson)

Mental health can be a difficult topic to address, but it is important for everyone to prioritise their wellbeing. There are many ways to manage your mental health, but sometimes the simplest methods are the most effective. This blog post will be discussing six small things that can help you maintain good mental health. These tips are practical, easy to implement, and can make a significant difference in your life.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

It can be easy to focus on the negative aspects of our lives and dismiss the positive. Taking a few minutes each day to jot down things that you are grateful for can shift your mindset and improve your mental wellbeing. Write down three things that you are thankful for each day before going to bed, and reflect on them at any time when you feel overwhelmed or stressed. This practice will help you appreciate the good things in your life and keep you motivated.

Take Breaks From Technology

Technology is increasingly becoming a significant aspect of our lives, and it is often difficult to disconnect. Technology is useful, but it can also be an additional source of stress. To promote good mental health, allow yourself to take breaks from accessing technology and spend more time engaging with people or relaxing in other ways. Read a book, meditate, or go for a walk in the park instead of scrolling through social media. Taking a break from technology can help you unwind and recharge.

Reach Out to Your Support System

The people who care about and support you can play a crucial role in helping you maintain good mental health. Reach out to those in your support system when you need reassurance, affirmation, or guidance. If your family or friends are not readily available, you can always seek professional support through counselling, therapy, or hotlines. Remember that it is okay to ask for help.

Engage in Hobbies or Activities That You Enjoy

Engaging in activities or hobbies that bring you joy can contribute significantly to your mental health. Find new activities or hobbies that you enjoy or rediscover old ones that you may have abandoned. Starting or continuing collection is also a good way to get out of the house and devote your energy to something new, starting with stores like Go Earth Coins & collectables which have lots of options of things to start collecting. Being creative, learning new things, and experiencing novel experiences can help you feel more fulfilled and satisfied in life. You can also join clubs or connect with groups that share your interests to feel more connected and fulfilled.

Practice Self-Compassion

Being kind and compassionate to yourself should be a core aspect of your daily routine. Self-compassion means recognising your strengths as well as your self-improvement goals, acknowledging your mistakes without excessively criticising yourself, and treating yourself kindly. You can practice self-compassion in several ways, including speaking kindly to yourself, treating yourself to small gifts or experiences, and regularly complimenting yourself.

(image: Unsplash- Tim Mossholder)

Get Enough Sleep

Getting sufficient sleep is essential for both your physical and mental health. Make sure you get enough sleep and avoid stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol, especially before bedtime. Create a sleep-friendly environment, which includes having a comfortable sleeping space, a consistent bedtime routine, and establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, including reading books, taking a warm bath, or meditating to help promote restful sleep.

Good mental health is essential to a fulfilling life, and small things can make a significant difference. Start by implementing these six small things to promote your mental health, and other healthy habits will follow suit.

Remember, maintaining good mental health is a journey, and it requires practice. Take the time to look after yourself, and you will reap the benefits.

Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer.

The Power of Group Therapy For Individuals Dealing With Chronic Illness: by Lizzie Weakley

June 11, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 6 Comments

(image: Priscilla Du Preez, Unsplash)

Chronic illness can take a toll on one’s physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Individuals struggling with chronic (long term) illness often feel lonely, isolated, and anxious, leading to a decline in their overall quality of life. While individual therapy can be helpful, group therapy can offer additional benefits and support. Group therapy allows people to connect with others who understand and relate to their struggles.

A Sense of Community and Connection

The sense of community and connection that group therapy provides can be incredibly powerful for those dealing with chronic illness. Often, those dealing with illnesses can feel isolated and misunderstood. In a group therapy setting, individuals can connect with others who are going through similar experiences and struggles. This can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of comfort and understanding, with a qualified therapist.

Learning from Others

In group therapy, people can learn from others who are further along in their journey. For example, someone who was recently diagnosed with an illness may feel scared and uncertain about their future. Hearing from someone who has been living with illness for a longer period of time can offer hope and reassurance and also provide practical support.

Psychoeducation

Some group therapy can provide an opportunity for psychoeducation on chronic illnesses. Members can learn about their illness, medications, treatments, and therapeutic interventions that can help reduce their symptoms. This can give them a sense of control and improve their quality of life.

Better Coping Skills

Chronic illness can be overwhelming and stressful; it often requires individuals to develop new coping mechanisms to manage their symptoms. In a group therapy setting, individuals can learn new coping skills from other members. This can include stress management techniques, mindfulness exercises, and ways to manage pain or fatigue. Learning new coping skills can lead to a reduction in anxiety and an improvement in overall mental health.

Mutual Support

Whilst in group therapy, members can offer mutual support to one another. Those who are having a particularly difficult day or week can lean on other members for support and encouragement. Group members can offer a listening ear or share coping strategies that have worked for them. This provides a sense of comfort and fosters a sense of belonging.

Group therapy can be a valuable tool for individuals struggling with a chronic illness. It provides a sense of community and connection, the opportunity to learn from others, psychoeducation, better coping skills, and mutual support. If you are struggling with chronic illness, consider seeking support through group therapy.

Remember, you are not alone. There are others out there who understand and can support you on your journey. You can also be referred for therapy.

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer.

Tips For Finding The Right Psychiatrist For Your Needs: by Brooke Chaplan

June 5, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: free image)

Mental health is just as important as physical health and seeking professional help can make a significant difference in one’s life. But choosing the right psychiatrist can be a daunting task. Finding the right person who understands your needs, and creates a treatment approach that suits you, can be overwhelming. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some helpful tips for finding the right psychiatrist for your mental health needs.

Ask for Referrals (If Private)

Start by asking for referrals from trusted sources such as family, friends, or a primary healthcare provider if you are going privately. You can’t always choose who you get referred to on the NHS, if you live in the UK but have to trust your GP will refer you to someone good. It’s always a good idea to get recommendations from people who have gone through similar experiences and found a psychiatrist that was helpful to them. Additionally, you could check with your GP or local mental health clinic for referrals.

Check Credentials

Psychiatrists are medical doctors with additional education and training in psychiatry. It’s important to ensure that the psychiatrists you’re considering are board-certified in psychiatry, meaning they have undergone a rigorous training and certification process (in the NHS they will be certified). If going privately, check out their education, training, and professional experience to ensure they hold a reputable degree from a top-rated institution and possess the license to operate.

Consider Experience and Specialisations

A well-experienced psychiatrist would be more likely to handle specific issues than a psychiatrist who is new to practice. You’ll want to find a psychiatrist that has experience in treating the specific mental health conditions or concerns you may have. For example, if you’re dealing with anxiety, you’ll want to seek out a psychiatrist who specialises in anxiety disorders.

Insurance Coverage (For USA/ private insurance)

If you have private health insurance, check with your provider to see which psychiatrists are in-network to help out with the cost of treatment. You may also ask your psychiatrist if they offer a payment plan to make their services more affordable. If in the USA, If you don’t have insurance, consider seeking treatment at community health clinics that offer sliding-fee scales. If in UK, this is free via the NHS but can be a long waiting list, if you are not at crisis point.

Trust Your Instincts

Lastly, trust your instincts. You want to feel comfortable with the psychiatrist you choose, so it is important to ensure that their communication style and methods align with what works best for you. During your first appointment with a potential psychiatrist, pay attention to how the psychiatrist speaks, if they listen to you, and how they react to your concerns. It’s important to choose someone you can feel comfortable opening up to.

It’s important to take the time to find a qualified psychiatrist you feel comfortable with, to help manage your mental health. Referrals from trusted sources, verifying credentials, experience, insurance coverage, and your comfort are all important factors in selecting the right psychiatrist to suit your needs. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be more confident in your search for the right psychiatrist.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and a qualified psychiatric professional can help you feel better mentally, emotionally, and physically.

If you’re in the UK: check out`: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer from the USA.

How Mental Illness Can Affect Our Coping Mechanisms.

May 31, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 3 Comments

(image: Unsplash)

Coping mechanisms are strategies that people use or develop in order to deal with, or avoid dealing with, difficult and stressful emotions or situations. Whilst some people may use exercise, a healthy diet or meditation as a way to process difficult feelings, it can be very easy to fall into unhealthy habits instead, especially if we have pre-existing mental health conditions. 

For example, those who have suffered with eating disorders may automatically fall back into restrictive eating habits or fall into a pattern of binge eating when life gets difficult. Whilst we can easily beat ourselves up for not ‘handling things’ in a healthy and productive manner, it’s important to remember that coping mechanisms serve an instinctive purpose. In times of stress, we seek comfort and safety. On a biochemical level, unhealthy coping mechanisms are serving that purpose. 

That doesn’t mean we should allow them to continue, however. Part of overcoming mental illness is learning how to cope in healthy ways that serve a higher purpose for you long term. Here, we will take a closer look at how mental illness can affect our coping mechanisms, and how you can learn to shift your unhealthy coping habits into more helpful ones.

Why mental illness makes us vulnerable

Mental illnesses come in a wide variety, and each person will experience them slightly differently to the next. But essentially, mental illness means that our brains aren’t working exactly how they should. This can warp our perception, and make us feel more anxious, stressed, insecure and prone to depression than we would be otherwise.

When we are stressed, we seek instant comfort. Our brains instinctively drive us to seek the quickest fix and push us to run away from our cause of stress. This is why when you are really, really hungry, all you want to do is eat sugary foods such as chocolate – your body knows that’s the quickest fix for its hunger, even though you know consciously that it’s not the healthiest option.

For people with mental illness, this stress response can trigger a repetition of a familiar pattern of negative behaviour that instantly soothes or avoids the initial problem, but also creates bigger issues long term.

Recognise your behaviour

It’s important to recognise when we are relying on unhelpful coping mechanisms to avoid facing stress, as they can lead to more serious mental and physical problems. If you are fixating on something that is not going to help you long term, such as obsessive cleaning, isolating yourself from family and friends, or abusing alcohol, you need to consciously recognise the signs that your habits are not serving you.

You may find it helpful to write down the root causes of your negative habits, and commit to facing the problems head on instead of allowing them to cause you further problems. Talking to someone you trust can be a massive help and relief, and can help you springboard yourself into a better place mentally.

Make small changes

Often when our mental health is low, we can feel overwhelmed by the thought of fixing everything. Remember, your perception is magnified when you are struggling mentally, so everything will seem worse and harder than it truly is. Being kind to yourself and committing to changing just one small habit at a time can be really helpful in focusing on what you can achieve – one step at a time. 

Speaking to a health professional can be an intimidating thought, but sometimes it is necessary in order for us to make profound changes to our health and wellbeing. There is no shame in asking for help, and you are not alone. By recognising when our coping mechanisms are beginning to be less than healthy, we can make the choice to improve them.

This article is written by a freelance writer.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health When Living Alone: by Anita Ginsburg.

May 21, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 1 Comment

(image: Unsplash)

Living alone can be an amazing experience. You get to enjoy your own company, have complete control over your home, and create your own unique environment. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Living alone can also be lonely, isolating, and downright scary at times. It’s even more challenging when we’re going through something that affects our mental health. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some practical tips for taking care of your mental health when living alone.

Create a Routine

One of the biggest challenges of living alone is that we don’t have anyone else to be accountable for. We can sleep all day, watch Netflix all night, and neglect our responsibilities without any immediate consequences. This can lead to a lack of structure and routine, which can have a negative impact on our mental health. Creating a simple routine can help provide some structure to your day and give you a sense of purpose. Start by defining what your day should look like from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to bed. This doesn’t have to be complicated – it can be as simple as waking up at the same time every day, doing some exercise in the morning, working for a few hours, and then taking some leisure time in the afternoon.

Stay Connected

Living alone can be incredibly lonely, especially if you’ve recently moved to a new city or lost touch with friends and family. Social connections are essential for our mental health, so it’s important to stay connected with others in any way possible. Calling or texting friends and family, joining a virtual book club, or connecting with others on social media can all help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Create a Comfortable and Safe Home Environment

Living alone can also be scary sometimes, especially if you’ve had negative experiences in the past. It’s important to create a comfortable and safe home environment that you enjoy spending time in. This can include things like decorating your apartment with things that make you happy, investing in a security system, and ensuring that your doors and windows are locked at all times. Feeling comfortable and secure in your home can help alleviate anxiety and stress.

Take Care of Your Physical Health

Taking care of your physical health is crucial for your mental health, especially when living alone. When we don’t have anyone else to motivate us or remind us, it’s easy to fall into unhealthy habits. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly can all help improve your mental health.

Seek Professional Help if Necessary

Lastly, if you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Living alone can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. There are many resources available to help you cope with mental health challenges, including therapy, a psychiatrist, support groups, and hotlines. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it.

Living alone can be an amazing experience, but it’s important to take care of your mental health when living solo. Creating a routine, staying connected with others, creating a comfortable and safe home environment, taking care of your physical health, and seeking professional help if necessary can all help alleviate mental health challenges. Remember, you’re not alone – there are many resources available to help support you on your mental health journey. So, take care of yourself and enjoy the independence and freedom that comes with living alone.

Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer form the USA.

10 Steps To Managing Your Anxiety by Anita Ginsburg.

April 20, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Joice Kelly at Unsplash)

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but sometimes it can become overwhelming and interfere with your daily life. If you’re struggling with anxiety, you don’t have to go it alone. There are many effective strategies for managing anxiety that psychiatrists and mental health professionals use every day. Here are 10 proven strategies for reducing anxiety and taking control of your thoughts and feelings.

Identify Your Triggers

The first step in managing your anxiety is to identify what triggers it in the first place. Is there a specific situation, person, or event that causes you to feel anxious? By recognizing these triggers, you can begin to take steps to avoid them or find ways of coping when they do arise.

Keep a Stress Journal

Keeping track of your thoughts and feelings can be a great way to gain insight into how your body reacts to certain situations and how best to manage them. Write down any physical sensations, emotions, or triggers that contribute to your anxiety so that you can better understand what’s causing it and how best to deal with it.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is not only a great way to burn off pent-up energy but also helps release endorphins which act as natural mood boosters. Even just a few minutes of exercise each day can help reduce stress levels and improve overall mental wellbeing.

Practice Relaxation Techniques

Taking time out of each day for relaxation is essential for keeping your stress levels low. Take up yoga, practice deep breathing exercises, or listen to calming music before bed each night—whatever works for you. Finding activities that bring about relaxation will help reduce the intensity of your anxiety over time and lead towards more peaceful days ahead.

Talk To Someone

Talking about the things that are causing you anxiety is often the first step in taking control of it again; whether it be with family members, friends, or even professional psychiatric services, like New Tele Doc, if needed. Having someone else who you trust to talk through issues with can help put problems into perspective and provide clarity on potential solutions going forward—something we often need when dealing with our own anxieties.

Get Enough Sleep

Lack of sleep can exacerbate existing anxieties so make sure you get at least 7-8 hours per night whenever possible; if not more depending on personal circumstances. If insomnia is an issue then try getting outside during daytime hours (weather permitting) as exposure to sunlight helps regulate the body’s natural circadian rhythm which aids in quality sleep later at night.

Eat Well and Drink Water

Eating well balanced meals throughout the day helps keep energy levels high while avoiding unhealthy snacks or sugary drinks which can cause blood sugar spikes/drops leading towards feelings of fatigue/anxiousness respectively. Similarly drinking lots of water helps ensure good hydration levels which makes us feel more alert mentally whilst providing physical benefits too.

Practice Mindful Meditation

Mindful meditation involves focusing on one’s thoughts without judgment in order to allow yourself some time away from any negative self-talk or worrying thoughts; allowing yourself time away from such things has been proven beneficial for those struggling with anxiety issues. It’s important however not to focus solely on this technique as other methods should always be employed alongside mindful meditation too when tackling any difficult issue such as this one.

Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

Both caffeine and alcohol are known stimulants which if consumed regularly can increase adrenal hormones leading towards heightened states of fear, anxiety, and nervousness. Try replacing coffee/tea based beverages (which contain caffeine) instead with green tea or fruit juices (which don’t!) as these are far healthier options overall particularly when trying to combat any pre-existing anxieties already present within oneself.

Break Negative Thinking Patterns

Lastly breaking negative thinking patterns involves challenging any irrational beliefs we may have about ourselves by looking at evidence objectively. This could involve writing down pros and cons for certain decisions we make before acting upon them so we have an understanding of why certain actions should be taken based upon factual evidence rather than assumptions made from our own potentially skewed perspectives.

Everyone experiences periods of worry from time-to-time but learning how best to manage those worries will increase your confidence in being able handle similar situations better next time they arise. By following the above 10 steps anyone suffering from regular bouts of anxiety will likely find their overall quality of life improving dramatically once proper management techniques become part of their daily routine! Psychiatric services such as therapy sessions/medication may also be necessary depending upon individual circumstances. Seeking medical advice should never be seen as a sign of weakness but rather strength instead because ultimately tackling problems head-on is better than running away from them indefinitely.

Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer.

On World Bipolar Day I Hope For: The Road to Remission by Eleanor

March 30, 2023March 30, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: World Bipolar Day)

Today is World Bipolar Day and for those of us living with bipolar disorder we know that living with it every day, year round is more accurate. However today is our day to talk about life with mental illness and to try and eradicate the stigma around the illness… ‘crazy lady’ ‘nuts’ ‘drama queen’.

World Bipolar Day is designed to raise awareness worldwide of bipolar conditions and to work to eliminate social stigma whilst providing information to educate and help people understand the condition.

Even though I live in remission/recovery with the illness, I am medicated daily to be this way, and I have undergone years of therapy and learnt coping methods too, with support from family.

Well, before I found medication that stabilises my bipolar highs and lows, life looked very different.

There were times I couldn’t work. I was so depressed I lay in bed in all day, only getting up to eat. I was scared to have a shower and wash my hair.

Life looked bleak. All I wanted was my duvet and oblivion. I had intrusive thoughts about ending my life, I was in a lot of emotional pain and this would last for weeks, sometimes months on end.

Bipolar isn’t just a bit high or a bit low…. its depression and mania, suicidal ideation and psychosis, self harm thoughts, hypersexuality, hyper activity, believing delusions that aren’t real…..SO much. Its episodic but it can ruin your life. Some turn to drugs, alcohol, sex to cope. Some hear voices too.

I have been in hospital twice for fairly long stays. I have been sectioned under the mental health act and held in a hospital unit against my will. I have been injected with sedatives to calm my mind and body when I couldn’t consent. I have met people in hospital who were suicidal, anxious, depressed, high on drugs, in psychosis. I lived on a ward where I heard people being restrained.

So, not much fun really. Luckily this month I am celebrating 9 years of remission out of hospital! I also came out of hospital as a nervous wreck and thankfully, therapy has helped.

(Image: speakingbipolar.com)

This blog is inspired by one of my followers who asked me what was my ‘Aha’ moment in recovery.

As well as finding the medicine Lithium, a salt that controls the mood fluctuations, the biggest thing I did for my own healing was go through therapy for my panic attacks and PTSD like symptoms. This was done with the support of my husband and family and because I has been on an NHS waiting list for 2 years, I needed help. My therapist and I have done EMDR trauma therapy which has helped me to process things.

In fact, I still do get anxiety attacks – just less. I have been in a very good place generally in the past year. Finding support at home, at work and from friends and family has been the most stabilising part.

I have had bipolar since I was 15, I am 34 and can tell you that this has not always been the case and my mental health has and will fluctuate.

I learnt recently that bipolar brains are neurodiverse, meaning our brain chemicals act differently to a neurotypical brain. Always good to understand the biology behind it too as this illness can be inherited and run in families- my Dad and I and other relatives have it.

On World Bipolar Day I hope:

-Employers adhere to the disability act and make reasonable adjustments to help those of us with bipolar to work in a better way for them, including hybrid working.

-People with mental illness aren’t fired because they can’t get to a physical workplace.

-Mental health services need better funding, so that people with bipolar can get a correct diagnosis sooner and get the help they need.

-People not in the Western world will get access to mental health medication and therapies that they desperately need.

Thank you for your ongoing support,

Eleanor

Read more about my journey with bipolar in my book Bring me to Light

Family Responsibilities And Mental Health: Navigating the Unique Relationship.

March 21, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

Pexels Image – CC0 Licence

Being part of a family is one of the most natural things in life. However, sometimes that family isn’t so great for your mental health! It’s an unfortunate truth, but it affects so many people around the globe, even if we don’t talk about it.

The silence involved can make you feel like such an outsider. Sometimes, your family who are supposed to love and cherish you , aren’t quite doing their job, and it’s hard to explain that. So what can you do in a scenario like this?

Build an External Support System

If your family isn’t there for you, you’ll need to build yourself a support system outside of them. Plenty of friends with couches you can crash on, or provide a shoulder to cry on if your parents have made another cruel remark.

For any person out there, having connections outside of blood relations is a good idea. It widens your life in general, providing more viewpoints and experience for you to count on. And knowing there’s a group of friendly, funny, caring people at the end of the phone can make family responsibilities a lot easier to parse in your mind.

Know Your Own Boundaries

Whether you’ve got a grown sibling you’re being made to feel responsible for or your parents have always reacted negatively to your decisions, your life is your own. As such, you may need to start putting up some walls. Commonly known as ‘going no contact’, you grant yourself the ability to move on from a childhood’s worth of trauma and finally make your own way in the world your way.

But if no contact isn’t for you, you can try ‘low contact’ instead. Some people can panic at the thought of cutting ties completely, and there may still be people in your family you want to see on a regular basis (with boundaries).

No One Can Do it All

Even when you feel like you have to, or like you’re letting a loved one down – you didn’t. Remember, you’re only one person with 24 hours in a day, and you can’t be dedicating all that time to caring for someone else. As a parent or as an adult carer, you’re going to need help.

So let people in when they’re available. Whether it’s counting on the support of a place like Prestwick Care when dealing with an elderly relative, or simply asking a sibling to pitch in when you can’t arrange a babysitter, help is there. You just have to reach out, no matter how much courage that might take.

A temporary worry is much better for you than long term stress when it comes to your mental health and wellness.

Being stressed out by family responsibilities happens to us all. But if they’re chronic, reach out. You don’t have to take it all on alone.

This article was written by a freelance writer.

6 Tips To Keep Your Morale High While Job Hunting by Rachelle Wilber

March 13, 2023March 13, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

Job hunting is never easy, and it can be especially challenging in this current climate. With more people competing for fewer jobs, the pressure to find a job can really take its toll on your mental health and morale. But there are steps you can take to help keep your spirits up during your job search. Here are six tips to help you maintain a positive outlook while job hunting.

Maintain Your Physical Health

Ensure you eat healthy meals, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. Taking care of yourself physically will give you the energy and strength you need to stay motivated throughout your job search process. Plus, the dopamine you get from exercising helps stabilise your mental health.

Set Realistic Expectations

Setting goals for yourself when job searching is important, but it’s also important to set realistic expectations for what you want out of the process. Setting unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and disappointment when things don’t go as planned. Keeping realistic timelines, salary goals, and more in check will help you in this process.

Stay Connected with Friends and Family

Reaching out to friends and family during your job search can provide much-needed support and helpful advice from those who know you best. Staying connected with people who care about you will boost your morale and remind you that people in your corner are rooting for you.

Develop Networking Skills

Networking is key when it comes to finding a new job, so focus on building strong relationships with those in your industry or field. You never know who might have connections or insights into potential opportunities that could be perfect for you. Attend conventions, group meetups, or whatever is available to you to further your network.

Stay Organised

Keeping track of all the applications, resumes, emails, interviews, etc., can be overwhelming at times. Make sure you stay organized throughout the process by creating systems that work for you. This could include keeping notes in documents, making spreadsheets tracking your progress, or whatever works for you. Having things in order will help reduce stress levels associated with searching for a new job significantly.

Take Breaks

While it’s important to remain focused on finding a new position, taking some time off every now and then is essential as well – even if it’s just one day per week where all you do is relax and enjoy some much-needed “me time.” Taking regular breaks from the search allows time for reflection which may lead to fresh ideas and perspectives on how best to tackle the next step in your journey.

Searching for a new job can be stressful at times, but these six tips should help keep your spirits high. Remember that taking care of yourself physically, setting realistic expectations, staying connected with friends/family members, developing strong networking skills, staying organised, and taking regular breaks should put up in good stead throughout this journey – so don’t give up.

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer.

We are 7! On Be Ur Own Light’s 7th Blog Anniversary by Eleanor

March 7, 2023 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 3 Comments

On the 1st March 2016, I started this blog as a way to provide therapy for myself- as I was going through panic attacks, (caused by trauma). Can you believe that was 7 years ago?! I can’t! Since then I have had several years of therapy and my life changed so much too for the better- I met my husband, we got married and moved to our first home.

The blog has turned into a book Bring me to Light (with Trigger), writing for Metro.co.uk, Glamour, the Telegraph, Happiful, Rethink Mental Illness, Mind and other incredible organisations, I have partnered with large and small brands, charities, businesses, writers to create content that battles stigma on mental health. We have been awarded as a Top 10 UK blog by Vuelio since 2018 (thank you) and I love to share my story to help others and educate people about bipolar, anxiety, panic disorders, psychosis, mania and mental health in the workplace (amongst other mental health topics!). I have also recorded podcasts and have begun speaking in the community about bipolar with my Dad.

I cannot believe it has been 7 years since I opened up my computer to write- I was struggling. a lot. Writing has been such a therapy and a saviour to me.. and I hope this blog helps you too!

As always, I want to thank all my contributors and brands (sponsored or not), as well as the digital agencies and freelance writers who provide content too.

This year March 22- 23 we have featured (where it says my name, I wrote it!)

How to Stay Motivated When You’re Feeling Lost: Tracie Johnson

Change the Story Campaign- Eating Disorder Stereotypes- Hope Virgo

Performance of She Used To Be Mine (Sara Bareilles) by Nicolina Bozzo- Eleanor

5 Tips on How To Talk To Your Boss About Mental Health- freelance writer

Does Retail Therapy help your mental health?– freelance writer

9 Tips On Prioritising Your Mental Health while raising children- freelance writer

How to Keep a Good Mindset with Physical Therapy – Sierra Powell

Bipolar and Perinatal mental health- Eleanor

4 Types of Alcohol Addiction Services You can Turn To for Help- Rachelle Wilber

How to Transform Social Anxiety – Lewis McDonnell at Phobia Support Forum

What It’s Like To Go Through Severe Depression as a Bipolar Episode- Eleanor