14/08/2021
To my Friends and couples- especially those who are booked for September and October weddings and friends in lockdown-
but also to any friends, past couples and future couples who are on my page x
Things are crazy at the moment, I haven’t forgotten about you!
I want to check in and see how you are all feeling/ coping during this extremely stressful time, things are changing daily and if you have a wedding booked you may be feeling stressed.
I am here to listen and to be an ear during these times if you need to chat, I’m here to talk about your upcoming wedding and how you might be feeling moving forward.
It’s really more important than ever that we check in on each other and that we all keep our mental health at the top of our minds, because we had that little taste of freedom visiting friends and family- we all had high hopes moving forward into the wedding season of 2021 and this current outbreak is threatening to be a devastating blow to that, the current level of restrictions for the Eurobodalla allows us to move forward and still have weddings but that could change at any moment so if your feeling stress or uneasy that is understandable.
Each and everyone of us are dealing with this situation in our own way and I would just like to offer my support for any decisions you feel you need to make over the coming days and weeks.
I have attached a link to a mediation app that may help with stress and have listed below some things you can do to help in stressful situations which i found through the black dog institute.
Sending all my love and support
Belinda ###
Below are six things you can personally check-in on a weekly basis.
1. Feelings
Set an alarm on your phone, or a reminder in your calendar, so at a set time each week you can quickly do a check-in on a scale from 0 (‘not at all’) to 10 (‘extremely’) of how stressed, anxious or down you are feeling.
It is normal for these scores to go up and down each day and throughout the week but if you notice the scores are increasing and remaining very high, then it’s time to prioritise your mental health.
2. Body
Take a moment to notice any tension in your body like tight shoulders, chest, or jaw. Other signs that you might be feeling stressed include dryness of the mouth, difficulty breathing, and a racing heart.
3. Sleep
Have there been changes in your sleep pattern? If you are constantly struggling to get to sleep, waking in the night or waking earlier than usual, and finding it difficult to get back to sleep, these are signs your mind is unable to switch off and relax.
4. Thoughts
Are you always worrying about the worst-case scenarios? Wondering if things will ever get better or if you will be able to cope?
Focusing on the ‘what if’ scenarios is not useful and it is best to try to limit this as much as possible.
5. Reactions/behaviour
Every day brings challenges but it’s how we deal with them which shows how we’re coping.
If you find yourself frequently snapping at those you love, finding it extremely difficult to focus, or always depending on things like alcohol or food to cope, it is time to prioritise your mental wellbeing.
6. Check-in buddy
Choose a check-in buddy. This may be your partner, housemate, or even a friend or colleague you’re keeping in touch with via video messaging. Be honest about how you are coping.
Remember that you are in physical isolation, not social isolation. When we’re at home, we may need to be creative about adapting the strategies we normally use. For example, if socialising helps your mood, schedule a virtual coffee. If going to the gym helps you reduce stress, try an online workout. If taking time out helps, find a quiet place, take a few deep breaths or listen to music. Whatever helps to settle your mind.
What to do if you are not coping
If you take the steps above and notice that you are not coping, you can:
1. Make a self-care plan
Draft a plan of action and enlist a supportive person to help you stick to it.
2. Do activities to help reduce your anxiety
* Try to do some physical activity or get some fresh air each day, based on the current rules you can still get out for daily exercise. Even just an hour of exercise a week has been proven to lower depression and anxiety.
* Try to do something that gives you a sense of pleasure and/or achievement each day. This could include eating a nice meal, reading a book, joking with friends, listening to music, tidying up around home, or work tasks.
* Notice when you are thinking in unhelpful ways. Ask yourself, ‘is there another, more helpful way I could think about this situation?’
3. Get professional help when you need it
If you are feeling very anxious or sad for more than two weeks, it is time to get professional help. There are a range of free and low-cost online programs that you can access from home and complete anonymously or with the support of a health professional.
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/headspace-meditation-sleep/id493145008
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