Knowledge is power

 I recently had an interesting conversation with one of my PT client's, who asked me, how was I able to get to the point I am now with my mental health ? good question. 

For a quick context, this client is currently going through her own mental health battles, and i must add, doing very well with it!

Not only have I been training her for the last five months, I have also been trying to help her with her mental health. 

But, back to the Question in hand, How am I now in a good place with my own mental health and what did I do ? well, its not an easy question to answer to be honest, it's been a long time coming.

For another quick bit of context and history, I have battled mental health issues since I was a teenager, over twenty years. I have experienced Anxiety, Stress, Social anxiety, Bulling and Sexual abuse to name just a few. I have been diagnosed incorrectly and been on numerous different antidepressants. I have experienced three different bouts of Denationalization (a blog for another day) and I have had numerous mental breakdowns and bouts of suicidal thoughts. 

Okay enough about that, back to the topic in hand.

One thing I have learnt over recent years is to "own it". Please do not be afraid to admit, firstly to yourself that you have mental health, and secondly to other people, there is NO SHAME in it, I truly mean that. There are SO many factors that play apart in people experiencing mental health, and trust me more people are now battling it then they will admit to.  

Honestly, when it comes to "owning it" I mean, be proud of it, Because it takes some serious strength to battle this invisible demon everyday, so be proud of that fact. 

Also, turn it in to your strength, I know what your thinking, how the hell do I turn this into my strength ??, again, by owning it. So many people feel like they are held back by it, that it makes them weaker to have it, trust me when  say this, it does not. Hold your head up high, put a smile on that face and be proud of how fare you have already come. Having mental health does not have to hold you back, use it as your fuel to move forward. 

Another way to use it to your advantage is to research the subject more, either through reading books, doing some free online courses, googling websites for information, like the NHS and MIND. Also, don't be scared to talk to other people you know who has mental health, if their okay with it, ask them for their experiences with it and what they have tried that has helped them ?

You will be surprised by how calming it can be to find out more about the subject, but I do have to stress, that you need to be open to some of the stuff you will find out, you have to put your own feelings and thoughts to the side and not go down the rabbit hole of thinking you suddenly have all these other conditions. 

Mental health is such a complex and vast subject to learn about, you will think you are opening one door when in fact you will be opening many different doors. But you will be able to put all this new knowledge to good use, not only to help yourself, but to eventually be able to help other people. 

Now i'm starting to learn more about the subject, I have managed to come to even better terms with my own mental health battles, I am able to understand that I am not perfect, I am never going to be perfect, I will still have my bad days, but I am prepared for them and instead of battling against them I just let the play out instead of building up inside of me. 

Through all my years of personal experience, through all my up's and down's, the good days and the bad day's I am now getting to a point where I can manage it better. I am able to in-part a little bit of knowledge and support on to other people. It can be done, but I wont lie, it takes time. It's not an overnight story, as I tell my clients, its A MARATHON NOT A SPRINT. 

So, remember. 

Own it.

Research it.

Be patient with it.

I hope in some small way, this helps you ?

As always, I am here for support, feel free to reach out, my email address is pt.sayer24@gmail.com

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