SENSORY SEEKING VS SENSORY SENSITIVE 🌍 ° ° Often people strive to understand what exactly the difference is between sensory seeking and sensory sensitive. There are two ways in which people with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) respond. When people under react to sensory input, they may seek out more input. However when people overreact, they become easily overwhelmed and may seek out methods in which avoid the input. Our brains constantly take in information, and for a majority of the population that information isn’t a problem. However for some children and adults, a stream of input can become quite a struggle for those with sensory processing disorder. There is a broad selection of sensory tools (also known as sensory toys) available that can help to support both sensory seekers and sensory avoiders. These can include fidget toys, oral support products, weighted items, visual and audio sensory products and much more. Useful resource - TED Talks video: Your reality might not be mine: Sensory perception and empathy https://lnkd.in/dVFx5qq5 Poppy Crum is a neuroscientist who uses a delicate and provoking play of shifts in perception. This is to show how human misconnection can be transformed from frustration, misunderstanding, and disagreement, to connection with empathy and tolerance. #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

COPING WITH UNCERTAINTY ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE 🌍 ° ° Hearing constant news and events about climate change in the UK and overseas can make you feel worried, angry and frustrated. ‘Ecoanxiety’, ‘solastalgia’, ecological grief and climate anxiety are terms that have been coined recently to describe what you’re feeling. Lots of young people are worried about climate change and thousands have participated in protests across the UK to demand that the government do more to address climate change. If you’re feeling stressed out about climate change and what it means for your future, you are not alone! Hope is a very important part of keeping engaged in the necessary work to protect our climate. People need to see that change is possible, that a low carbon world would be a welcome transformation from the current reality. Cultivating hope is about transforming fear about the fate of the planet into a positive experience. Fear is often a useful starting place, but needs to be transformed into a plan for action. Useful resource - TED Talks video: How climate change affects your mental health https://lnkd.in/dARhXUPv #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

TIPS FOR GETTING AND STAYING MOTIVATED 🌍 ° ° Motivation is what drives us to make the things happen but staying motivated isn’t always easy. Motivation is what drives you towards a goal, gets you up in the morning and keeps you working through a task, determined to succeed when things get tough. But motivation can be both positive and negative... Positive motivations focus on the positive things that will happen when you take action. For example: ‘Finishing this assignment means I’m only a step away from being qualified.' Negative motivations focus on the negative backlash that will occur if you don’t take action. For example: ‘If I don’t finish this assignment in the next few hours, I’ll fail my course.' Negative and positive motivations can both be effective in different circumstances. However, it’s much easier to do something because you actually want to, rather than because you want to avoid a particular outcome if you don’t do it. If you don’t have a positive plan of action, using negative motivation can make you feel helpless and may even reduce your motivation. Useful resource - TED Talks video: How to motivate yourself to change your behaviour https://lnkd.in/gPfff3S #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

HOW TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS 🌍 ° ° Being diagnosed as having a mental illness can be both scary and a relief. While it’s great that you’re on the path to getting well again, telling people about your illness can cause anxiety and stress. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness and it’s possible that you’ll have to deal with it at some point. 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England. 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England So most people will either experience this personally or know someone who has. The good news is that there’s been a lot of progress in mental health awareness and the stigma is fading. Most people will be supportive and understanding, but others may be confused, ignorant or negative. Sometimes, it’s possible that the other person simply doesn’t have any experience or awareness. Choosing someone to have a conversation with who cares about you, and that you can trust, can help you to open up about what’s going on for you. When faced with these situations, remember that your illness doesn’t define who you are, and it’s up to you how much information you want to share. Useful resource - TED Talks video: Breaking the stigma and shame of mental illness https://www.ted.com/talks/kitty_westin_breaking_the_stigma_and_shame_of_mental_illness #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

TEACHING PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS TO KIDS 🌍 ° ° We encounter problems on a daily basis at work or at home, but it is second nature to us to resolve these issues and move forward. However, for a child this is an important life skill they will need to develop so they are able to make healthy decisions for themselves. If a child is able to solve problems on their own, they will be happier, more confident and more independent. They will not feel frustrated or disheartened in their inefficiency. This is why it is important we begin teaching children problem solving skills from an early age. Rather than being looked on negatively, problems help build character, resilience and perseverance. They afford us opportunities to see things differently and do things in a different way and evoke lateral thinking. A child who lacks problem solving skills may avoid trying new things, may ignore certain situations altogether or act rashly when presented with a problem. Like adults, children face problems every single day, however rather than running to the rescue, give your child the chance to attempt to resolve the problem on their own. Credit: Big Life Journal Useful resource - TED Talks video: How to teach kids better problem-solving https://lnkd.in/dvBq3T4f #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

NIGHTMARES VS NIGHT TERRORS 🌍 ° ° Nightmares are very different from night terrors. Nightmares occur during REM sleep, when the child cannot move or thrash about. Nightmares tend to occur in the later stages of the sleep cycle, often shortly before the child wakes up. Importantly, the child is fully awake immediately and can remember, often vividly, the details of the dream. By contrast, the child has no memory of night terrors whatsoever. Night terrors also tend not to be triggered by scary or traumatic events. Later in childhood and adolescence, the relationship of a child’s emotional state to the frequency and severity of night terrors becomes more important. But for small children, there appears to be no relationship at all between night terrors and “real life” stressors. Here’s a list of possible triggers of night terrors: - Stress (physical or emotional) - Medications - Sleep apnea - Sleeping in a new place - Taking stimulants before bedtime - Genetics If a child’s night terrors are so intense that she is at risk of harming herself or others, then medical attention is warranted. In very rare instances, a short course of an anti-depressant or an anti-anxiety drug may be prescribed. Useful resouce: Mind - How does sleep relate to mental health? https://lnkd.in/dHYfCTHJ Useful resource - TED Talks video: 6 tips for better sleep https://lnkd.in/dNQpWww #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

HUMAN DEFENCE MECHANISMS 🌍 ° ° Defence mechanism, in psychoanalytic theory is any of a group of mental processes that enables the mind to reach compromise solutions to conflicts that it is unable to resolve. The process is usually unconscious, and the compromise generally involves concealing from oneself internal drives or feelings that threaten to lower self-esteem or provoke anxiety. The concept derives from the psychoanalytic hypothesis that there are forces in the mind that oppose and battle against each other. The term was first used in Sigmund Freud’s paper “The Neuro-Psychoses of Defence” (1894). Psychoanalysts emphasise that the use of a defence mechanism is a normal part of personality function and not in and of itself a sign of psychological disorder. Various psychological disorders, however, can be characterised by an excessive or rigid use of these defences. Useful resource - TED Talks video: Feelings - Handle them before they handle you https://lnkd.in/dCG7HJeb #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

COPING SKILLS TOOL BOX 🌍 ° ° Kids can react in a variety of ways when they are dealing with anxiety and stress. When some kids are anxious, they may get stomachaches or headaches and even get teary and really frustrated. They may yell at their teachers, friends, siblings and parents but these are not the most ideal ways for kids to deal with such overwhelming feelings. They need effective coping techniques for anxiety and stress. One simple, yet quite effective strategy is to work with them and create a coping skills tool box. A coping skills tool box is an actual physical container that houses items kids can use to help calm down and express their emotions in healthy ways. There are a ton of strategies your child can use to calm down, and having a toolbox is one way to keep several of these tools readily available to use. What works for each child will vary, depends on their temperament, their favourite activities and their energy level at that moment. Find out what works best for them and find the place where you think your child would most easily be able to access it. Useful resource - TED Talks video: Finding your coping mechanism https://lnkd.in/dG7brCf #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

6 WARNING SIGNS OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN CHILDREN AND TEEN 🌍 ° ° If you think your child may be depressed, it's important to talk to them and try to find out what's troubling them and how they are feeling. The NHS have some tips on talking to younger children and teenagers about their feelings. https://lnkd.in/dHtD37F Whatever is causing the problem, take it seriously! It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it could be a major problem for your child. If your child does not want to talk to you, let them know that you are concerned about them and that you're there if they need you. Encourage them to talk to someone else they trust, such as another family member, a friend or someone at school. It may be helpful for you to talk to other people who know your child, including their other parent. If you think your child is depressed, make an appointment with them to see a GP. If necessary, the GP can refer your child to a local children and young people's mental health service (CYPMHS) for specialist help. To find out more about CYPMHS, please visit the link below. https://lnkd.in/dHPHwPm #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

HEALING THE INNER CHILD 🌍 ° ° Inner child work, also referred to as inner child healing, is a way to address our needs that haven't been met as children. Healing the inner child is often referred to trauma and how we heal the attachment wounds we've developed. Inner child work, like any type of inner work, involves creating a space where your subconscious is allowed to take the lead. Inner work is the act of going inside ourselves, to explore our true feelings and parts of us that may have been rejected and labelled as "inappropriate" or "too much" by others. By allowing ourselves time to go within, we begin peeling back our everyday coping mechanisms such as: -Being avoidant -Numbing our feelings -Being distant from others etc. To move forward its important to fully accept and integrate our subconscious into consciousness. Useful resource - TED Talks video: Give your inner child permission to heal https://lnkd.in/dDJyJna2 #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

SIGNS THAT YOU ARE HEALING 🌍 ° ° When we talk about healing, we’re not just talking about the physical kind where you cut yourself and put a plaster over it. Although that analogy can still be quite applicable in this case, instead we’re talking about emotional healing. Emotional healing is the ability to acknowledge events and circumstances in our lives that may hinder us to move forward. It’s a process that allows us to take control of our thoughts, feelings and emotions. Emotional healing can stem from many circumstances, whether it’s: - The loss of a job - Coming out of a long term relationship - Getting over a sickness or losing a loved one During and even after these events in our lives, we usually start to experience feelings of stress, anxiety, depression or even self sabotaging behaviours, which can eventually overwhelm us. Regardless of what event or circumstance you have come across, it’s crucial for your healing to acknowledge your situation. Let yourself be present, feel all of the emotions and let nature run its course. Useful resource - TED Talks video: Human Healing Unlocked: Transforming suffering into wellbeing https://lnkd.in/dA-5V3AA #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger

7 PRINCIPLES TO BUILDING TRUST THROUGH LISTENING 🌍 ° ° Due to the current climate, children might absorb information via their friends, peers, news stations and social media. This can be dangerous without considering the validity of the source, resulting in some levels of anxiety amongst children. As a parent, caregiver, teacher etc - it's important that children have a person they can turn to in times of high-stress. One of the most effective ways of building trust is to learn how to listen effectively. Clinical Psychologist Dr Todd Cartmell says that "listening is a common parenting blind spot. So, don’t feel alone if you know you’re guilty of modelling a 'do as I say, not as I do' rule!" Useful resource - TED Talks video: The power of listening https://lnkd.in/eX6w848 In this talk, William Ury explains how listening is the essential, and often overlooked, half of communication. #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthquotes #endthestigma #selflove #mentalhealthstigma #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalwellness #breakthestigma #mentalstrength #mindset #mentalhealthblogger #mhblogger