Looking after your mental health
It’s perfectly normal to feel like things are a little chaotic at the moment but there’s lots that you can do to help you feel calmer and more in control.
If you’re a young person who also looks after someone else then you’re probably used to doing a bit more than some of your friends. But you might find that you need to be even more independent right now and that can be tough, especially when you’ve lost some of that support from school or college.
Although it’s natural to feel anxious about everything right now, there are lots of really simple, positive steps you can take which will help you feel a whole lot better…
And don’t forget that all our SYC teams are still working and we’re here if you need us 🙂
Self care isn’t selfish
If you’re used to taking care of somebody else then you might not always put your needs first. That’s okay for a little while but if you keep forgetting to take care of you then there’s a chance you’ll end up ‘burning out’. There are some very basic things you can do, most of them you probably already know! It might seem boring but these simple things can have a BIG impact on how you feel:
Eat, Sleep, Hydrate, Rest
This is very straightforward and we all know we should do it, but if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed then going back to the basics can definitely help.
- Get your 5 a day
- Get the sleep you need
- Drink plenty of water
- Rest – especially if you’re doing a lot for someone else
Breathe…
If you’re feeling a bit out of control and need a quick fix then taking 5 minutes to focus on your breathing can make a big difference. CAMHS recommend this video for some helpful breathing exercises.
Relax
This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Carers often feel anxious and relaxing isn’t always something that comes naturally. But help is at hand… sometimes guided meditations and mindfulness can help you unwind. Here’s a simple 3 minute meditation that’s worth trying.
