Promoting the Betterment of Your Loved One’s Mental Health
The vast majority of us have a sense of how to help a loved one with a mobility issue get from point A to B. However, we often find it difficult to know how to address the emotional strain that comes with having physical limitations. As Chartwell.com informs us, the American Psychological Association (APA) says that addressing and treating depression and anxiety reduces emotional suffering, lessens disability, and results in a better quality of life.
What steps can you take to promote the betterment of your loved one’s mental health?
Encourage Self Expression
It definitely doesn’t help to bottle your feelings up inside. Talking to a friend or family member is an effective way to cope with stress and depression. If necessary, look into consulting a professional therapist, psychologist, or grief counselor. Thankfully, there is a much smaller stigma on seeking mental health help these days. However, if you feel better speaking to someone you’re familiar with, do not hesitate.
“Losing someone you love is devastating, and it is natural to experience a roller coaster of emotions,” understands Dr. Jayashree Dasgupta on HealthShots.com, “It is important not to bottle up feelings and thoughts as this can lead to increased anxiety/depression, and also impact physical health. Share what you are going through with friends, family, or a mental health professional.”
Find Relaxing Hobbies
Naturally, calming your mind is an ideal way to contend with mental health issues. What do you find calming? Listening to relaxing music like jazz or neo-soul can do the trick for many. Even logging on to YouTube and locating soothing sleep sounds can help to put you in a relaxed state. Perhaps, you should take up meditation. Pre-natal classes often teach about the importance of breathing to help with pregnancy pains. However, breathing exercises can work for everyone!
Chartwell.com explains that both the American Family Physician and Toronto’s CAMH say that yoga, mindful meditation, and breathing exercises can ease anxiety and depression.
The importance of friends and family cannot be understated. You may be surprised to know just how much your loved ones need you in their lives. Don’t assume that they are the ones doing you a favor. Reach out. Make phone calls. Send emails. Engage in video chats. Make plans to meet your loved ones in person. Sometimes, a simple conversation can completely change your mood from bad to excellent.
“Older adults often become socially isolated, as they lose their friends or reduce participation in social activities, due to health or mobility issues,” reminds Dr. Dasgupta, “Social media is a great way to connect with other like-minded individuals irrespective of age, and joining an online class can introduce you to new people whilst maintaining social distancing protocols.”
Forward Day’s Shower Bay portable shower has been known to provide a lot of emotional ease to both its users and their caregivers. Shower Bay enables people to enter with their shower wheelchairs for safe, comfortable, and relaxing shower experiences. The revolutionary portable shower can be set up in any room of the home where there is a faucet nearby. It completely takes away the complexity of contending with mobility issues in a traditional bathroom setting.
To learn more, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-877-593-4461 or email us at info@showerbay.com.
