This year has been a tough one for us all. Our daily lives have changed considerably because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has affected us all in diverse ways and has created uncertainty about what the future holds. Uncertainty is a major cause of anxiety and stress which are harmful to our wellbeing.
Wellbeing
The word ‘wellbeing’ gets thrown around a lot these days. It is often used interchangeably with the term ‘mental health’.
Wellbeing is a state of feeling well. It is a subjective state of being healthy, happy, contented, comfortable and satisfied with one’s quality of life. Wellbeing is what makes it possible for you to ‘be well and do well,’ – to feel good and function effectively in your life.
Well-being is different from happiness. Happiness refers to how you are feeling moment-to-moment. Well-being is a much broader concept than moment-to-moment happiness: it includes happiness but also other things such as how satisfied you are with your life as a whole.
Wellbeing is characterised by a person’s ability to fulfil several key functions and activities, including:
- the ability to learn
- the ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions
- the ability to form and maintain good relationships with others
- the ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty.
If you’re experiencing wellbeing you can:
- make the most of your potential
- cope with life
- play a full part in your family, workplace, community and among friends.
Wellbeing and our emotional needs
Decades of research supports the reality of human emotional needs and the importance of meeting them if we are to be mentally well. We have nine core emotional needs.
Wellbeing is a dynamic state and fluctuates changing as circumstances change and impact positively or negatively on our ability to meet our emotional needs.
For many people, the pandemic has stopped, or made it more difficult for, them to meet their emotional needs. As a result, many people have developed mental health problems, while for others their existing mental health problems have gotten worse.
Recent studies have identified that many people are feeling distressed because their ability to satisfy their need for connection to the wider community has been hindered or stopped by the lockdown restrictions leaving them feeling lonely and isolated.
Support
As I said at the start of this blog, this year has been a tough one for us all. While we all have times when we feel worried and anxious, for many, the pandemic has intensified and prolonged these feelings. Most of the time these feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problems like generalised anxiety, panic attacks and depression. The good news is that majority of people who experience anxiety, panic attacks, depression overcome them, especially when they get help early on.
If you are experiencing problems with your wellbeing, I encourage you to reach out and ask for help. There are lots of ways to get help and support including phone, online services, and information, as well as face to face support. Most services are free and provide information and confidential advice from trained professionals. Why not do one thing today and start with one of these options.
Helpline – Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time.
Depression.org.nz – Free text number 4202
The Lowdown : The Lowdown is a website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. Free text number 5626
World Mental Health Day
Did you know that World Mental Health Day is on 10 October? This year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is ‘mental health for all’ with the goal of increased investment in mental health. You can find out more here.
Schedule a free, no obligation Discovery Consultation
If you want some help managing your anxiety or stress level simply schedule a free, no obligation Discovery Consultation by clicking HERE. Alternatively, you can call/text me on 021 056 8389.
Stay safe and stay well.
~ Tony
I’m on a mission to help as many people as possible enjoy lives free of unnecessary stress and anxiety. If you’d like my help, or you know someone who would benefit, call/text me today on 021 056 8389 or email tony@tycoaching.nz
