Mental Health Archives - Page 3 of 4

Self-Harm – An Older Males Perspective

On 05/09/2019

There is a great deal of stigma and misinformation around the topic of self-harm. Commonly, self-harm is associated with young female teens and often seen as a trend or as a way to get attention. Nobody hurts themselves without reason. That person with the cuts along their forearm? They are in enormous amounts of pain, and I do not mean from the wounds. I know this because I have been personally affected by self-harm. I want to share my story, to highlight that this is an issue that can affect anyone, of any gender, at any time.

Emotional Numbness | Why I Stopped Sertraline

By Finlay Games

On 05/01/2019

In Mental Health

Man with his head in hs hands. Test reads sertraline and emotional blunting

I made the decision recently, to stop taking my Sertraline antidepressant. In hindsight, I could have approached this in a much less aggressive manner, but I stand by my decision to stop. Sertraline was causing me to have emotional numbness. I was unable to cry, which I was finding incredibly frustrating.

Stress Management – Using Organisation Tools

By Finlay Games

On 04/02/2019

In Mental Health

Person sat at a table which is covered in paper and diaries. Text reads how to reduce stress using organisation tools

Stress is an unavoidable part of life however too much stress can negatively effect our mental health. Therefore, if you have mental health challenges, as I do, stress can quickly make things much worse. It is important then, to make sure that you use stress management techniques to lessen its impact.

How To Restart Your Day In 4 Simple Steps

By Finlay Games

On 03/25/2019

In Mental Health

A chalk outline of a hopscotch game on tarmark. Text reads 4 steps to restart a bad day

We have all had those days, haven’t we? Where on waking up with good intentions, something then upsets us or makes things difficult, and our mood and motivation plummets. When this happens, we can feel tempted to throw in the towel and resign ourselves to a bad day. However, you don’t need to write the day off, you can simply choose to restart a bad day. In this blog, I will share the four simple steps, to restart a bad say, at any time, and as many times as you need.

Success is Relative & Your Best is Always Good Enough

By Finlay Games

On 03/03/2019

In Mental Health

Success is relative. Picture of pink blanket, a laptop a cup with pencils inside it and a chalk board with the phrase, you've got this.

I planned to go to the gym today. I joined last week, in the hope it may do me some good. However, I only got as far as getting up, showering and dressing. Once dressed, I felt defeated by the enormity of the rest of the steps needed to complete a gym session and could go no further. To combat the feelings of failure, I need to remind myself, especially under the current circumstances, that success is relative.

The Pain of Grief | Resisting the Self-Destruct Button

By Finlay Games

On 02/24/2019

In Mental Health

The Pain of grief resisting the urge to press the self-destruct button. Image is a keyboard with the escape button coloured red

It’s been three weeks since Mum passed away. The day Mum left feels simultaneously like a lifetime away and only yesterday. Time is behaving strangely. Days of the week have no meaning. Time, space, days, they are all the same. The pain of grief is all consuming and relentless.

Gratitude Challenge | 45 Things I am Grateful For

By Finlay Games

On 02/15/2019

In Mental Health

Gratitude challenge. 45 things I am grateful for. Picture is a collage of me and my friends, family and boyfriend

Feeling grateful does not come easily when we are in emotional pain. When we are really low, it is so difficult to remember a time when life was good or to remember that this will pass. However, in my recovery journey, l have learned the power of perspective. If you focus on the negative, in turn, negative feelings will be the most prevalent. Conversely, by switching our focus to positive things, we start to notice more of them and our mood lifts, making us feel better. This is why writing a gratitude list is such a powerful tool in recovery.

Mum – Finding it Hard to Say She’s Gone

By Finlay Games

On 02/13/2019

In Mental Health

Mum and her sons sharing a kiss and a smile

Mum has gone. I can’t say that D-word. I don’t want to acknowlwdge it’s happened. I’m not sure what to say, but I need to say something. I need to talk, I need to vent, but I keep finding my mouth empty of words. Devoid of any sensible words at least. Forgive me then if what follows is not pretty or organised in any logical sense.

How to Create a Positive Environment for Mental Wellbeing

By Finlay Games

On 01/30/2019

In Mental Health

Keeping a positive mindset is not an easy thing to do. In our interaction with the world and with people, we hear upsetting news, people and places frustrate us, and we can easily start to spiral into negativity. Whilst it is impossible to avoid negativity completely, we can do a few simple things to help counterbalance it. The best way to guard against negativity is by creating a positive environment. In this blog, I will share my tips on how to make your living space, social space, and online space, ones that nurture positivity.

Dementia- The Ghost Of Christmas Present

By Finlay Games

On 12/21/2018

In Mental Health

Dementia the ghost of Christmas present.

Christmas can be a tough time of year for many people. There is so much unspoken pressure to be full of, ‘The joy of the Holiday Season’ but often that is the last thing people feel. People struggle at Christmas for many reasons, for being estranged from families, grieving lost loved ones or, as in my case, struggling to come to terms with a mum who has dementia.

Playtime For Adults | 5 Reasons Why I’m A Big Kid

By Finlay Games

On 11/13/2018

In Mental Health

Playtime is for adults too. 5 reasons why I'm a big kid. Playtime is never over when you are a transman in recovery

Playtime does not have to be over just because childhood has ended. As a transgender man and a recovering addict and alcoholic, my playtime has only just begun! I am well aware that l can be ridiculous at times. I get easily excited when visiting new places and seeing new things. The slightest thing, a newborn lamb, a soaring seagull, a beautiful flower, any of these can cause me to bounce around with excitement like Tigger.

The Comfort Zone And Why It Is An Illusion

By Finlay Games

On 10/15/2018

In Mental Health

Anxiety is such an exhausting beast. To venture outside my comfort zone, with it turning cartwheels in my gut, often feels like too much of an ask. Anxiety says that to keep it quiet, I must do as it commands. I must avoid all risks, avoid new people, and always say no to anything I’ve never done before, for fear of looking like an idiot. Anxiety tells me this is the way to feel comfortable and prevent mental pain. Anxiety is a big fat liar.

"Its Never Too Late To Be Who You Might Have Been"

Category: Mental Health Page 3 of 4

Self-Harm – An Older Males Perspective

Emotional Numbness | Why I Stopped Sertraline

Stress Management – Using Organisation Tools

How To Restart Your Day In 4 Simple Steps

Success is Relative & Your Best is Always Good Enough

The Pain of Grief | Resisting the Self-Destruct Button

Gratitude Challenge | 45 Things I am Grateful For

Mum – Finding it Hard to Say She’s Gone

How to Create a Positive Environment for Mental Wellbeing

Dementia- The Ghost Of Christmas Present

Playtime For Adults | 5 Reasons Why I’m A Big Kid

The Comfort Zone And Why It Is An Illusion