Thanks Ellen

It is time to take the negativity out of *mental health and start talking about mental health, positively. Yes, talk, communicate, connect, belong, isn’t that what being part of a community is all about?

Personally I believe we have it pretty good in the Great South Coast, I feel very fortunate to be living in one of the most liveable regions of the country, even more so considering the epic year we are having.

Epic, it’s a big word isn’t it? But in reality, we have had to adapt and change on a grand scale to a global event.  And we are doing a great job, we have adapted our work, school, and social lives accordingly and we are still thriving.

So, what makes people be at their best, to thrive and flourish?

It all starts with you. Looking after yourself so you can feel good and function well. You are no good to anyone if you are not well yourself.

We are all human and life will be difficult sometimes and we are all our own worst enemy, we are harder on ourselves than we are on others.

It is time we started to show ourselves some self-compassion.

Show yourself some kindness, encouragement, understanding, empathy, and patience and treat yourself with the same care and concern that you show a good friend.  Be nice to yourself.

Allow time for mindfulness, to take time to be in the moment, acknowledge and understand your feelings.

Set yourself a new goal, to be kind to yourself. Only then can you truly live and work productively and able to make a valuable contribution to our amazing community.

*According to the World Health Organisations mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.

Catherine Fitzgerald 2020 Program Participant

Thanks to Ellan Jackson from Potential Psychology for coaching us on the benefits of self-care – check out her Podcast here