Self Management
When related to mental health, self-management is about building positive coping skills. This relates closely with getting to know what the triggers are to your stress, depression, anxiety etc. It’s about managing the emotional aspects of ourselves in a conscious way.
Good self-management is a continued awareness of the triggers. One example is recognising family related stress caused by financial concerns. Good self-management is working together to come to a solution rather than blaming. Or with work related stress, by trying to resolve it earlier by acknowledging when you feel overwhelmed. The next step might be speaking with your employer. Working together, a supportive plan can be put in place.
The origin of self-management comes from an understanding of emotional intelligence, which is an awareness of how feelings shape thoughts and actions. Experience teaches us about our triggers and the feelings and behaviours that are signs of depression or anxiety etc. Recognising this sooner rather than later will allow someone to take a step back and consider what needs there are to prevent problems.
SWIM’s community outreach work in Hackney, has revealed how much religious faith and spiritual connection plays a part in maintaining self-management of a healthy mindset. Over the lockdown period from March 2020 onwards, many took up regular walking and that exercise in general among younger people sustained mental health for the better. Activities as part of an all-around healthy lifestyle and routine will stand us in good stead. Not just on a day-to-day basis, but also in weathering the emotional storms that come up from time to time.
Who do you talk to when you have something sensitive or emotional to resolve? SWIM found that 65-70% of people they surveyed spoke to family members or in some cases a close friend; and 85% had not heard of Hackney’s key primary care mental health service. Self-management works alongside talking therapies such as CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy). It is also a powerful tool to build, following a period of talking therapy. If you need help now or in the future with any common mental health problem before it escalates, contact our partners IRIE Mind or Talk Changes. Self-management of our mental health can prevent issues from spiralling.
If you think you have a mental health issue self-refer to IRIE Mind or Talk Changes. Or see your GP for support from Tavistock & Portman.