Newsletter #2: Addressing Stress, Anxiety & Depression
Ronan Rooney
Internationally acclaimed Motivational Speaker and Author. Inspiring leaders through the clarity and wisdom of Self-Mastery to live a more peaceful, happy, fulfilling and meaningful life - ensuring a lasting legacy.
First I thought I was managing my stress, then that I could manage the anxiety and depression on my own. Please don’t make the same mistake I made!
On Mental Health Day I published my podcast and then my video about my Mental Health Journey through Depression. While I knew that so many are affected by it I was still taken aback at all those who called or messaged me who are either going through the same journey or have someone close who has gone through it or more so those that are in the throngs of it.
In case you missed it here is my My Mental Health Journey through Depression Video
?So I thought I would keep this newsletter about what I have learned through my own experience. I’m not a qualified Mental Health expert just telling it from what I have experienced personally and what I have learned from others I have met.
Addressing Stress, Anxiety & Depression
Here are my 5 Personal Insights on Mental Health
1.??????? Recognise you are stressed:
For too long I was in denial convinced I wasn’t stressed and that I was managing it all.
Underestimating the stress in your life is what happened to me. Acknowledge it and make sure you have mitigating measures like meditation to counter the stress
2.??????? Talk to someone about it.
I kept it to myself too proud and scared to admit it, worried I might worry those close to me!
Sharing the problem with a friend, family member, GP, Counsellor or Psychologist will trigger the start of your recovery. You might think there is a stigma but I assure you when I spoke out I realised so many of my friends and colleagues were also suffering or had been through it.
3.??????? Admit you need help:
For far too long I refused to accept it and all it did was prolong the agony.
It’s not a weakness to admit you need help. If you you’re your leg playing sport you would ask for help. In work situations you ask for help all the time from fellow work colleagues or experts in your field. Accept you need help and more importantly ASK FOR IT
4.??????? Accept the Intervention:
I thought I could meditate my way out of it!
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Understand that interventions are different for everyone depending on your state. You may need just a resource tool, or a counselling session, or a series of meetings with a psychologist or admission to hospital. Whatever the intervention take it from me personally it’s worth it in the end.
5.??????? Consider was there a trigger:
It was only when I realised that I felt trapped in my career and needed to change and committed to the change that everything was different and my life and health blossomed.
Consider what the initial trigger for you getting sick might be. It may be pure stress but many times it comes from an underlying issue that hasn’t been addressed. If you are in a job you detest, a lifestyle you hate, an abusive relationship, have had a challenging upbringing, or suffered abuse or some other trauma this however painful, has to be shared with the intervener.
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My Three Takeaways:
1.??????? You are not alone. Over 40% of Irish adults have a mental health disorder
2.??????? You Must Ask for help AND address the underlying Issue
3.??????? Understand that once treated there is a 28% relapse rate if you don’t change the lifestyle and environment that is causing the issue
HELP IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE:
Take care
Ronan