I was so honoured to be invited by @lovebrotherworld to see a special screening at the House of Lords of this very powerful film called The Men and The Chair Outside of My Window directed by the brilliant @nickaldridge
The film highlights male mental health, which is something I am deeply passionate about. My dad killed himself when I was 7 years old so I’ve lived with suicide my whole life. The impact of male mental health has literally shaped my life.
Suicide is something that is still very sadly prevalent and in 2022 in England alone, 5284 men took their own life. Men are 3 times more likely to kill themselves than women and this crisis needs to stop.
I witnessed three incredible men @bobjo_nes @coughcool86 @nickaldridge talk openly about their own mental health while introducing this film and that’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed such a conversation (and I’m 40). It’s these kind of conversations that we NEED to keep having to help overcome the stigma of a man talking about his mental health.
Talking about mental health should be no different to discussing physical health - it effects everyone. If more men feel like they can speak out and reach out, not only when they are struggling but in the every day ups and down of life we can greatly reduce the number of suicides each year.
Please take time to watch this video and share with those around you. If you yourself are struggling call 116 123 now for support, visit Samaritans or get in touch kim@happyheads.me xx
#suicide #suicidepreventionmonth #suicideawarness #suicidesupport #mentalhealth #malementalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #malementalhealth #tapping #efttapping #emotionalfreedomtechnique #mentalhealthcoach #innerworld #meditation #meditate
REFRESH YOUR ENERGY
Your body is filled with a very complex nervous system that is always trying to regulate itself. Many things can have an impact on your nervous system, depleting your energy and affecting how you feel, often without us consciously realising it (doom scrolling through instagram for example).
One of the first steps to refreshing your energy is to first identify what your ENERGY DRAINERS are. What are the things in life that make you feel depleted, low, sad or exhausted?
The next step is to identify your ENERGY GIVERS. These are the things in life that feed your soul, make your cup feel full, make you happy and give your energy a boost.
Take a moment now to look through the below lists and see what your ENERGY DRAINERS vs ENERGY GIVERS are. You can then start adjust yourself accordingly - doing less of the drainers and more of the givers.
ENERGY DRAINERS
Lack of Sleep
Too much screen time / being on your phone too much
Social media
The news
Feeling stressed or anxious
Overworking or burning out
People pleasing
Overthinking
Dehydration / not drinking enough water
Not eating enough / not nourishing your body
Eating too much junk food
Fear and self doubt
Ruminating over the past or overthinking the future
Spending too much time around: bullies, people you can’t be yourself around, really negative people, people who are really judgemental, people who have a big ego, people who gossip a lot, complainers, people who expect perfection, people who are abusive, people who are fake
Unprocessed anger, bitterness, or resentment
Not exercising or physically moving your body
Family
Fixating on your imperfections
Focussing on what you don't have
Wearing a mask / hiding or suppressing emotions
Comparing your life to others
Doing a job that you hate
What else drains your energy? Remember that we are all different. Only you will truly know what your ENERGY DRAINERS are. Write out your list and then you can see what things you need to do less of or what changes you may need to make.
ENERGY GIVERS
Energy Givers
Meditation
Good quality sleep / rest
Breathwork / deep breaths
Nourishing food
Setting healthy boundaries with toxic people
Therapy – talking to people
Water / hydration
Being out in nature
Sunlight
Playing with my kids (parent specific)
Love and intimacy
Meaningful connections
Responding to your body’s needs/emotional needs
Tapping
Positive Affirmations
Learning something new
Cooking / Reading
Art / Being creative
Exercise / moving your body
Play! Doing something with no particular outcome - just for the fun of it.
Hot baths, massages
Watching movies that make you laugh
Dancing / listening to music that you love
Journaling
Doing a job you are passionate about
What else gives YOU energy? What feeds your soul and makes you happy? Write out a list and start to do more of the things in life that GIVE you energy.
Tapping is a great way to refresh your energy when you’re feeling a bit depleted because it physically brings your nervous system back into balance AND helps to rewire your brain to think differently. Watch this video now to see how easy it is to do.
For more support on nurturing your wellbeing please get in touch kim@happyheads.me I would love to hear from you xx
SUICIDE PREVENTION 🖤
This is what depression looks like. This is a picture of my lovely dad, looking very happy, not too long before he killed himself. That's the problem with depression you can't always tell from the outside when people are suffering and people can wear their 'i'm ok' masks very well.
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Anyone that takes their own life is ultimately struggling deeply with their mental health and most likely very depressed. Of course the route courses for each individual are completely different but this is why people reach a point where they find life too unbearable to live.
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I WISH my dad had felt that it was ok to talk and realised that you CAN transform your mental health but you need to start looking after your brain and process the things that you're struggling with. Some people say that suicide is selfish and quite honestly trying to tell a 7 year old who felt abandoned by her father that it's not selfish would have been a very difficult task.
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It was only when I lost my own mental health to burnout that I truly realised what it felt like to be depressed and realised that it's so much more complex. In that moment my dad felt like he couldn't go on any more, it wasn't selfish and I was able to forgive him.
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So if you're struggling right now please remember that you 100% can improve your mental health, it just takes some loving care and there are people available right now to help you on your journey. Contact samaritans on: 116 113
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If you're worried about someone then NOW is the time to reach out and check in. It's easy to isolate yourself when you're struggling so be the person that they need today. My dad is a driving force behind why I teach - no one should ever feel like life is no longer worth living.
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#mentalhealth #wellbeing #suicide #suicideprevention #suicideawarness #suicideawarenessmonth #depression #mind #meditation #meditate #happyheads #itsoktonotbeok #itsokaytonotbeokay #reachout