How to Stay Healthy and Happy
when times are difficult …
It’s been said that our mental health is suffering because of the difficult times in which we are living so I was interested when I came across an article giving suggestions on how to cope when the going gets tough. Exercising, spending time outside, walking the dog and spending time with people who think similarly to yourself were all suggested as ways to keep depression and anxiety at bay.
From personal experience, I would add another: Seek out for the good stuff, meet up with people who are changing the way they live and join in a local activity where you can share interests and possibly help others.
In my search for good, uplifting, news I can usually rely on finding some on a Friday when I find local people getting together to help each other. No sign of stress, competition or confrontation. People who might be finding life difficult making friends and looking after each other.
The chat, the cooking, the communal lunch and the working together on a shared project.
Yes, Friday is the day I volunteer at the Trust Links Community Allotment in Thundersley and I always come away feeling much more peaceful and relaxed than when I arrived.
The Thundersley project, which started last year, is Trust Link’s fourth in the area, the others being in Westcliff, Shoebury and Rochford. And as the website says:
The Growing Together project works to improve mental health and wellbring, physical health, quality of life, social inclusion, confidence and employment opportunities.”
In these days when we are daily bombarded with stories of political uncertainty, climate change on the horizon, wars in the Middle East and refugees and asylum seekers desperate for a home, it’s a great comfort to see that at the local level very many people who just want to live their lives peacefully and among friends are coming together to share interests, support each other and have fun.
As regular visitors to Healthy Life Essex website will know Growing Together is just one such opportunity for local ‘togetherness’ so, if you aren’t already involved you might like to see if there is something to suit your interests. Health Life Essex’s volunteering page will give you lots of leads, or keep an eye on the Volunteering Events section that features numerous activities throughout the year.