We are living through very challenging times. The COVID-19 crisis is continuing for much longer than we had hoped or expected and is having a huge impact on all our lives. We are facing colder weather and shorter days, with ongoing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. For families and individuals living with MND, the challenge presented by the condition may well be an added stress at this time. The need to take positive steps to protect our mental and physical wellbeing during the months ahead has rarely been more urgent.
I was prompted to think about these issues when I really felt this COVID winter start to bite a few weeks ago. It was the Sunday night when a Level 5 lockdown looked imminent. It put me on a train of unhelpful thinking that I found hard to shake. I quickly realised this could be a very long winter if I didn’t get off that train. I decided to revisit some good sources of information around positive mental health which I’ll summarise in this piece. They are simple, evidence-based tips but are not a replacement for talking to your GP or a trusted health professional if you are really struggling or feel you may be clinically depressed.
It’s important to say, first and foremost, that there’s no quick fix for stress and particularly for depression. Anyone that tells you otherwise, is selling you short. Recovery usually involves several elements and often means doing things (such as exercise) that you don’t feel like doing when you’re down. So in that sense, rule number one is that often when you’re feeling down, you need to do what you don’t feel like doing. With exercise, for example, when you’re feeling down bear in mind you usually have to start moving long before you feel like it’s helpful or enjoyable. A summary of some simple actions that can support you in times of stress and low mood are outlined in the table below.