TOP 3 TIPS FROM A HONG KONG PSYCHOLOGIST
Whether you are seeing a counsellor, psychotherapist of psychologist, right now we would all agree it’s a difficult time. Keeping out mental health in a positive state sometimes needs to be worked at however, so here are some tips.
Psychology Tip Number One:
Be grateful for the things in your life that are working. It’s so easy to live in fear and prediction of ‘worst case scenario’ outcomes, however it’s generally accepted in psychology, especially in C.B.T. (Cognitive behavioral therapy) that having the right (positive!) thoughts is a huge factor in mental health. By consciously turning our attention to the things we like in life, we are ‘turning on the spotlight of consciousness’, amplifying this good attribute. This will lead to more ‘feelgood hormones’ flooding our system , the knock on effect being contentment rather than anxiety.
Psychology Tip Number Two:
One effect of ‘lockdown’ is social Isolation. According to psychotherapists, this sadly one of the biggest mental health threats that exists. A remedy for fighting feelings of anxiety, depression, and aloneness is to connect with others. As humans, we strive for connection and thrive off connection – it’s part of our inbuilt biology. We may not be able to socialize with our friends, but still have our families.For example, our brain actually releases neurotransmitters that lead to feel good responses of pleasure and contentment when we hug someone, smile, laugh with another, or simply make eye contact. Try reaching out- it will create an automatic joy boost for both you and the other!
Psychology Tip Number Three:
Good emotional and mental health is your biggest asset. Use this time you have at home to delve into an area that’s going to bolster your mood in the present and also be a tool for the future. Our Hong Kong psychologist and counsellors recommend practices breathing exercises for 15 minutes daily, to calm the sympathetic and boost parasympathetic nervous systems. These can be found, like most things, on line. Also, perhaps it’s a good time to start a mind fullness, meditation, or Sophrology course.