OUR TOP FIVE PRACTICAL ACTIONS WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT
OUR TOP FIVE PRACTICAL ACTIONS WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT
By Gareth Andrews
An article by Wendy Squires that appeared in The Age recently is part of a movement that disrupts the stigma around mental health.
Squires spoke about the key aspects that have helped her out when she was feeling life had taken her back to dark places she had been in before. She talked about the lessons she has learnt to get herself out of the mire.
This falls in line with Life Again’s philosophy when people struggle in mid-life with life’s increasing challenges.
One of the important ways of overcoming this period is to becoming more self-aware and learning the ways of handling the ‘funk.’
At Life Again, we use the phrase “Feeling Shithouse” for people to open up a dialogue with themselves and others.
Wendy Squires had some key observations which are simple and practical to get herself back on track and we felt inspired to come up with our own.
Here are our top 5 practical actions when you’re down and out:
1. Limit drinking
When you’re heading deeper into a funk, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed and flat. And alcohol has that effect of exacerbating your state of mind, emotions and perspective. So when you’re feeling sh#thouse, leave it out.
2. Prioritise sleep
Sleep is such an underrated tool in feeling optimal mentally. Giving yourself the right amount of shut eye a night will allow you to feel more clear, calm and in control of your decisions and thought processes and grounded.
3. Focus on Good, Quality Food
With what we now know about the gut-brain connection, what we eat directly influences your mood and state of mind. Fuelling yourself with healthy food like lean protein, veggies and fruit will give your body the right nutrients so your brain and body can function.
4. Connect With Others
It’s usually the case, when you’re feeling sh#thouse, you don’t want to reach out to anyone or feel like you’re burdening your friends or family. But did you know it’s the most critical time to connect with others, whether that’s with family, friends, your local community or nature.5. Give Back
Giving back is part of our three pillared approach and an evidence based way to get yourself out of a funk quickly. You can use platforms like Becollective which finds current opportunities to give back and tracks your hours of doing good.
It’s never too late to pull yourself out of a funk when you’re having trouble grappling with life.
Author’s Bio
Gareth Andrews - Founder and Director of Life Again, a registered Not for Profit charity that educates and helps men to change and lead more fulfilling and purposeful lives. Through writing, public speaking, taking men to the Outback and working with Aboriginals, workshops and personally challenging men.
FIND THE GIFT IN EVERY STORM
Find the gift in every storm.
By Anthony Chiminello
At the age of 29, I was convinced I had it all.I was a director of an international property company, had a six figure salary, mixed with prominent business identities and bought my second home.However, the trappings of material success soon wore off and my high flying corporate life felt meaningless, empty and boring. The challenges that followed became gifts in disguise that positively shaped my life forever.After overcoming my fear of the future, I finally gained the courage to follow my gut and resigned from the company. I then decided to work for a charity on a voluntary basis for 3 years which was a significant chapter in my life’s journey. From this experience, I quickly learnt to dismantle any inflated sense of self-importance and created an equal connection with all people based on a foundation of humility,trust and genuine care.The charitable path also helped me develop creative and collaborative skills and to work sustainably with minimal resources. As I became more self-sufficient, I then gained the confidence to subsequently set up my own international property company.I was now the master of my own destiny – or at least I thought I was !My new venture was progressing very well until I woke up in the early hours of one morning and felt an overwhelming sense of confusion, heaviness, and fear. This experience could best be described like falling down a deep dark crevice with no way out!!From a state of normality, I began to experience a state of mental anguish which progressively led to panic attacks, insomnia, abdominal pains, and isolation. This nightmare continued for a period of about 12 months during which time I underwent numerous therapies and was administered a cocktail of drugs by various psychiatrists.
One day, I finally came to the realisation that I knew myself better than anyone else so I eventually stopped relying on other people’s opinions and took responsibility for my own journey back to health. The next few months gave me an opportunity to embark on a routine to holistically nurture my mind, body, and emotions like never before.Part of my road to recovery included changing my negative perceptions by being grateful for all the good things in my life and nourishing my body through regular exercise and a good diet. Long periods of solitude also gave me the inspiration to commence writing poetry which assisted in releasing and healing hidden emotions.With the support of family and friends, I gradually healed myself and emerged with a totally new perspective and invaluable qualities that have enhanced my life.I now look back and see how my business and life have been positively influenced through the storms of the past. My writing skills led me to publish two poetry books which included children’s illustrations from Asia and Australia to promote greater cultural harmony. I recently coordinated a health and well-being festival in the Philippines and continue to run regular breakfast forums to promote work-life balance.I urge you to reflect and find the gift in every storm of your life which can become stepping stones to a more balanced and fulfilled human experience.
Author’s Bio
Anthony Chiminello is the Director of Bridgeworld Intentional Pty Ltd, an international property consultancy. He is also the Founder of Cultural Harmony Now, an organization that creates cross – cultural projects and partnerships between Australia and Asia for social and economic benefit. He is the coordinator of Insight Management Forum (IMF), a Melbourne based initiative featuring leading speakers who share personal stories & life experiences for greater work life balance.
He is an author, mentor and consults for many international corporations.