For this the idea is you keep active every day and raise awareness of mental health issues.
It's organised by Mental Health charity, MIND,
https://www.mind.org.uk/redjanuary
This is a collection of my day by day posts, as distributed on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook
Tuesday 1 Jan
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Caring for somebody who is suicidal can
effect your own mental health. Getting outside can help, so today I walked to
and from an ITFC football match ( 4 miles), rather than catch a bus or drive.
The walk was good... the match wasn't really ! #itfc |
| Wednesday 2 Jan |  |
On the day the government release a report saying children eat too much sugar, for my lunch today I went out for a sneaky bike ride. Different food can affect our mental health... a healthy body can help towards a healthy mind (and visa versa) |
Thursday 3 Jan
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Today my daughter managed to leave the house and spend time with a horse! Whilst she did, I went for a wander in the local fields. Animals can help releave stress, and when my daughter was more mobile, a couple of years ago, she spent time at the local RSPCA centre and Kims Mobile Zoo, allowing her to be with more animals .. we are thankful for their support. |
Friday 4 Jan
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Today I cycled in to town to meet and chat with someone who wanted to talk... life is tough for so many people and a problem shared is often helpful. At work, for the Peer to Peer Support Network, we monitor the result of the many 1-2-1 support sessions we have had, the most common (48%) is that people are happy just to be listened too. No other support is needed.
In our busy lives, it's not easy to find time to listen. No advice. No judgement. Just listening. Often that's all it needs. And a good cup of coffee of course . |
Saturday 5 Jan
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Today hasn't gone as planned, with a wait to see the outcome of a 4 hour trip to A&E for someone deeply loved. As it happens, all is well, yippee.. A reminder that we all need to take care of ourselves, physically and mentally.
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Sunday 6 Jan
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Not very active today, just the regular dog walk and actively trying to do a F#m chord (my blistered fingers don't bend where they should)
Sunday is a day of rest, so happy to be less active today. Finding time to rest, unwind and refresh is important for our own mental heath. https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/why-its-important-schedule-more-downtime-your-brain |
Monday 7 Jan
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Today
was the first full week of the year for many at work. I was planning a sneaky
little walk around site at lunchtime but was just too busy doing the day job.
So tonight I spent extra time with Toby walking the streets and smelling every lamp-post (that was Toby, not me) Managing work/life balance is critical for good mental health. We all need to take time off, and send time doing other things at home. |
Tuesday 8 Jan
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During
my little stroll around keeping a little active I was pondering how important
it is for people to ask for professional help if they need it. The first step
is to consult your GP (in the UK). Talking to a doctor about your mental health
can be difficult.
There is a useful guide here https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/file/1085 |
Wednesday 9 Jan
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Today
I took little diversion on the way to our local shop... it is the day the
council empty our rubbish bins (wheelie bins). It's amazing how the drivers of
the massive trucks manoeuvre safely through narrow gaps, between parked cars.
Sometimes we can be tired of feeling rubbish (as it says on the lorry) and to aid our own mental health it's sometimes good to get rid of stuff too. This may be bad habits, things we eat or drink that are not doing us good, or even certain people or groups we meet up with. With the increased use of social media, would we benefit from blocking some people causing us anxiety? It can be hard making changes, but like moving the big lorry collecting rubbish... little steps make a difference |
Thursday 10 Jan
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Most
Thursday evenings I enjoy the company of a varying number of folks who have had
a bum start in life. Today for RedJanuary I cycled there.
We share time together, playing UNO, playing pool and eating... there is always food. All the young people who come have struggled with their mental health, but it's been great learning from them and travelling with them through life. One of the girls there tonight started coming to the group when she lived in the local hostel aged 16(ish) & now she's just about to finish her nursing degree. Its stories like that, that are so inspiring. We need to shout about those who inspire us - they make an Impact |
Friday 11 Jan
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Took
the opportunity to make use of my bike today, popping round a few people houses
to deliver things I'd borrowed.
I came back and read a very enlightening report about how hard it is for people with dyspraxia in interviews.... it definitely suggests the way things are done at the moment are very focused on the 'average' person, if you are not 'average' then tough luck! We need to value diversity in the workplace |
Saturday 12 Jan
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Only a
couple of dog walks today got me out and active, busy caring for my daughter
for most of the day - which amongst other things included making salt dough
decorations and making a new lid for a hamster cage. Out tonight for a games
night at a friends, yippee.
This coming week is a big week for politics in the UK. After a non-meaningless vote on Tuesday, on Thursday we are expecting a discussion on the provision of Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace, a campaign supported by MHFA. I read a report last week looking at the importance of supporting people designated as Mental Health First Aiders. At work we have lots of conversations supporting others Mental Health, many are easy to cope with....some are difficult. If we support people, we need to know our limits and where we get support for ourselves. https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/campaigns/wheres-your-head-at/ #wheresYourHeadAt |
Sunday 13 Jan
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Started
the day at church talking to somebody who has found first hand, the benefits of
getting outside when they felt their mental health under pressure.
Sometimes realising we need to nudge ourselves to avoid difficult times is something we need to be aware of. |
Monday 14 Jan
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Today
is my youngest daughters 21st birthday! This will be a day to
celebrate, but because of her mental health, our celebrations will be muted.
For the last few years she hasn’t wanted to stay alive. Her suicidal depression has shaped her life since she had breakdown aged 10. It’s resulted in her being housebound. I could look back with dismay about her situation. She has no qualifications, no friends and no possibility of employment at the moment. However, I look back on her life, and remember the times of endless laughter, her amazing humour and her love of all types of animals (we do have a lot of pets!). I look forward to her life, with more endless laughter, wonderful character and her desire to help others. I don’t know what the future is.. but I know we’ll tackle it day by day. |
Tuesday 15 Jan
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A short walk today to get some fresh air.
I had some lovely comments after yesterday's RedJan update. Thanks for that. The day was better than we expected... Which is a success. So today/tomorrow, say something nice to a friend or stranger, say thanks or smile. |
Wednesday 16 Jan
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I
walked the long way around to pick up some bananas today , and was thinking
about how we cope with uncertainties in our lives .
These could be personal issues - what is going to happen in our new job or new school? or wider issues - what is going to happen with Brexit? Top Tips: 1) pick up a new, or restart an old, hobby: new skills plays a key role in enhancing our resilience and helps to increase our self-esteem 2) Goal settings.. Give yourself something to aim for. If there is something you want to do then start by taking small steps to it. 3) eat well, sleep well - a healthy body leads to a healthy mind and visa versa 4) laugh.... it's always good to laugh https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/developing-resilience/ |
Thursday 17 Jan
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It's
Thursday, so I hoped on my bike and in to town this evening to eat bread, lots
of bread.
Today at work I was blessed to hear a very personal account from somebody (an EE employee) explaining his battle over anxiety and depression, from an early age. He still battles with it now, but he explained how he spent time out to write a lot of it down. He was shocked by some of the comments he got back (people were very supportive). If you are going thru hard times, I recommend finding time to write things down. It doesn’t have to be able to be read by anybody else - but just transferring your feelings on to paper (or computer/ phone screen) can be very positive to your mental health . Journaling (I’ve heard it called that, I think it’s an Americanism) helps to guide us thru our thoughts, and sometimes can help us process difficult events. It also can make us more self-aware and help us normalise our random thoughts, that can be playing games in our brain. If you feel you need to bring some sort of order to a chaotic mind, why not give it a go. A couple of years ago I gave it a go, and out of it came an INTERNATIONAL mental health support network (had somebody join from Zurich today! how cool is that!!) See https://mynormalisnotyours.blogspot.com/2018/07/peer-to-peer-support-how-it-started.html |
Friday 18 Jan
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Today
I managed to pop out in between calls to go for a short walk in the bright, but
cold, sunshine.
I was thinking about the informal support groups that I know of. The Peer to Peer Support Network at work, has just expanded in to Switzerland, with a volunteer just becoming active in Zurich. I’m looking forward to some Irish folk join after a training session in Dublin later this month. Outside work, there are a couple of closed Facebook groups that provide a lot of support. Time to Talk UK, (which recently become a charity) and “the order of the dog”. Both groups provide pretty quick responses to people facing problems or issues. If you are interested, take a look Links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TimetoTalkUK/ the order of the dog - search on facebook |
Saturday 19 Jan
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Where
do blokes go at the weekend... DIY stores of course. Quick cycle there today to
pick up a nail gun to help make a hamster cage lid.
Doing crafts, being creative and picking up new hobbies is a good thing to focus on for your mental health. It's good for hamsters too... |
Sunday 20 Jan
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Today,
took a quick nip thru the country lanes on a long way back from church. The
service started with reading (below).. A reminder that if you are going thru a
rough patch, things will change.... A time for everything
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace |
Monday 21 Jan
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Today,
rather than popping to my one day a week in the office, I took part in a STEM
session with 300 year 8s (12&13 year olds) at a local high school. The main
event was building a marble roller-coaster from staws and card.. And listening
to me spout about why STEM is so exciting... I cycled there (its only 10 mins
away) for RedJan.
Mental health issues are rising with young kids, with rising rates of depression, anxiety and self-harm. If you can, add your signature to the petition to introduce MH support in schools.. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-schools-make-it-count/sign-our-petition-make-it-count-mental-health-schools |
Tuesday 22 Jan
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I
managed a short walk after work before needing to be home to look after Emma {=
play Go Vacation on Nintendo Switch} ...whilst I walked I was singing to
myself, going thru the songs I might be doing next at the next Barley Mow folk
night... Don't think too many people noticed... Hopefully
Yesterday I received sad news of the death of one of the most lovely men I knew, he was always happy and always made me smile, I remember a few years ago when he asked to do a “double act” with one of my puppets – with a lot of banter between the comedy duo. He will be missed. Everybody deals with bereavement differently. It’s a journey each one of us goes on. If you are grieving, talk to somebody, anybody – a friend, a stranger… https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/bereavement/useful-contacts/ |
Wednesday 23 Jan
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A
short walk this lunchtime, I would have done more, but I'm feeling quite tired
at the mo.. And I was thinking how important sleep is for our own mental
health. I read a report last year that suggested 78% of us are not getting
enough sleep.
Sleep allows our bodies to repair themselves and our brains to consolidate our memories and process information. So if you have a problem sleeping, try a few techniques to help you sleep. Things like – establish a routine, relax before you go to bed (read a book), reduce screen time before going to bed, reduce Caffeine, alcohol and sugary foods in the evening And if all else fails, and it’s literally, keeping you up at night, seek professional help from the Doctor. |
Thursday 24 Jan
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A
cycle in to town tonight to join the regular Thursday evening support group
with a handful of folk who used to live in a local hostel. Due to the cold
weather we only had 3 join us today... It was still great, even if I lost at
chess twice (I haven't played for ages, honest)
Today's menu featured lots of Nandos Chicken, saved from the skip, by The Teapot Project (that redirects food from major local retailers, filling bellies not bins). Another free food donation for the Impact family. It got me thinking about what sort of food can help our mental health. Processed food is not too good.. And sugary food late at night can impact on our sleep.... Some good foods are nuts, grains and legumes (eg peas/beans), fruit and veg and oily fish. So eat well... Night night |
Friday 25 Jan
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Today
started with a flat battery in the car, i'm counting the extra walking to and
from the car as exercise, the RAC offered a 6 hour response time*, so thankful
for a local garage that helped immediately.
Like our car batteries, we need to make sure we have time to recharge ourselves. Life is so busy that we need to proactively find time to recharge. Whether its eating properly, sleeping well, taking time to do things we love... It's important. None of us can operate on a flat battery. *6 hours, even after I explained I have a seriously mentally ill daughter at home. #NotHappyWithRAC |
Saturday 26 Jan
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A good
walk today for nearly an hour.. I found out earlier this week that peanuts are
not actually nuts! This has ruined my trusted assumption over the last half
century that they were... It's a bit like assumptions about mental health, we
all have assumptions that are actually wrong.
It's amazing what you learn caring for somebody who struggles through life..it's tough, but I'm thankful I've learnt so much. Next time I'm in a bar I'll ask the bartender whether they have any nuts, if they say 'here are some peanuts', I'll let them know that they're legumes and demand a proper nut (maybe). #RedJanuaryUK #suffolkMind |
Sunday 27 Jan
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A long
route by bike to church this morning to get the activity in, at the end of the
morning I was talking to somebody I'd never met before, I mentioned I'd some
experience of mental health issues.... and he just talked and talked.
It's good to talk (reminds me of a 1990s TV advert) |
Monday 28 Jan
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A
short walk around site today, it was far too cold to go to far (I’m turning in
to a whimp). I did bump in to the BT wormery though, I knew we provided
internet and TV.. but worms! The Worms have been on site since 2014, and
allegedly eat through 20kg of kitchen waste a day.
Changing the subject from worms, BT is the largest employer of ex-armed services people, and some of these folk suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I’ve heard many stories of BT and Open Reach folk having flashbacks whilst working, with their managers reaching out for support from the Peer to Peer Support Network. Other than armed services folk, over the last few days, I’ve bumped in to a few people really struggling because of significant trauma that’s happened in their own lives (childhood bullying or bereavements). It does show that a lot of us go thru things that shake us; moving on from these events can be really hard – and for some, a struggle 50 years on! There is no quick answer to theses issues, but if you are struggling, seek help – from friends, medical professionals... |
Tuesday 29 Jan
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A
little walk around in the icy cold tonight , waiting for the snow to hit.
A It's good to be out. Would help if it was sunny, we can get Vitamin D from the sun, a lack of it can cause pain in the joints.... So if you can, why not pop out during the day? It's dark out here tonight. So I need to follow my advice. One of the good things about Red January is that it's got me out, being a homeworker and caring for my daughter means I do tend to stay most days at home |
Wednesday 30 Jan
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A
sneaky little walk at lunchtime, it was a bit icy on the pavements, but I
survived. I did discover a nice little footpath I didn’t know existed.
I read a report a few weeks ago that suggested researchers had found that music releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical in your brain. So much so, they measured 9% more dopamine when people listened to music that they enjoyed. I know when I’m feeling anxious or stressed, I often put on the radio or my Spotify playlist, and it does help. Recently I’ve picked up the guitar again, I used to play 25+ years ago, but it sort of stopped when children and family life came along. It has been great picking it up again, there are so many ways to help you nowadays. In the old days, I had a few printed song books; but nowadays there are lots of tools online, and tutorials.. Nothing to take away from the hours of practice and blistered fingertips – but it does make it easier. At the encouragement of my wonderful wife and a few friends, I’ve even played at a local folk club - it doesn’t matter how much you practice, it’s still scary performing - even if the folk there are SO WELCOMING. I’ve been twice, and not everybody has left yet ! The photos are albums from the songs I have performed, can you guess the songs ? There’s an interesting interview with somebody really making a difference with Music and Mental Health. He raises money for MIND too.. can’t be bad: https://www.loudersound.com/features/can-music-make-you-sick-a-look-at-the-relationship-between-music-and-mental-health |
Thursday 31 Jan
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Finally, it’s the last day of January.. Tomorrow I can wake up and not need to go outside, maybe I’ll be a hermit for February.
Another cycle to my Thursday evening support group tonight… lots of yummy food donated by a local school 😊 Red Jan has got me out of the house each day, something which I am pleased about. Working from home 4 days a week, and caring for my mentally ill daughter has often meant I rarely get out (other than dog walking)..so it has been great getting some fresh air this last few weeks. I’ve defiantly benefited from it. Thanks to the charity MIND for organising Red January, I didn’t specially seek fundraising for my efforts, but if you want to make a donation to MIND then please do, at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/grumsredjanuary To find out more about Mental Health issues, then there is a lot of material on MINDs web site, and local training events available (throughout the UK). https://www.suffolkmind.org.uk/ More as a log of what I did, I have compiled all my daily activities in my blog at the link below. https://mynormalisnotyours.blogspot.com/2019/01/red-january-2019.html |
#suffolkmind #redjanuary2019
