Category: Anxiety
5 ways to look after your mental health this Christmas season
The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, but for many, it can be overwhelming and stressful.
Dealing with self-criticism
Too many of us are quietly, privately, hard on ourselves. We walk around with an inner critic, telling us we’re not ‘good enough’ and never amount to anything.
Sometimes we feel so much pressure to achieve, self-criticism seems like a necessity. Lockdown has kept us cooped up and in many cases with more free time. We may feel especially guilty if we’ve not been ‘productive’.
We’ve all seen people who ‘achieved’ despite the difficulties of the pandemic. Marathons run in backyards, new languages learned, what seems like hundreds of books read. It’s difficult not to compare ourselves and put pressure on ourselves too.
There’s a myth we can hang on to that a harsh inner critic is useful to get where we want in life.
In this article, you will find:
Managing anxiety
Feeling anxious is a normal and natural occurrence for each and every one of us.
Problems at school
Everyone has a different experience of school.
Most students go through some ups and downs throughout the year. Experiencing problems at school is not unusual for many young people.
When difficulties get on top of us, it can be like a domino effect. One domino falls over and all the rest seem to pile up. It’s OK to have mixed feelings about school, as everyone has their good days and bad days. Whether you’re having problems with schoolwork, friends, or fitting in, you are not alone.
Goal setting
We are often asked about our ‘goals in life’ when it comes to careers or discussions about the future. ‘Squad goals’ or ‘couple goals’ appear in many Instagram posts, but what does this really mean? Are personal goals something we want to be, or want to have?
In this article, you will find help to set and achieve your goals:
- What is a goal?
- The purpose of goal setting
- Is the goal SMART?
- How to increase your chances of success
- Ciara (19) shares a goal that she achieved
Why do people self-harm?
Self-harm is when someone intentionally damages or injures their body. Also known as self-injury, it can take on many forms, such as cutting, burning, hitting, or scratching.
Risky behaviour that can be harmful is also considered self-harm behaviour. Binge drinking to the point of blacking out or vomiting regularly, restricting food intake, or overeating could be considered risky.
How can I manage anxiety?
Jigsaw Youth Advisory Panel member Josh, talks to Jigsaw Clinician Jen about ways to manage anxiety.
Relaxation for mental health
How many times have you heard the words ‘just relax’. Sometimes it’s easier said than done.
It can also be quite annoying to have someone telling you to relax, when there seems to be a lot on and out of your control.
But often, life can be so busy we forget to take a break and step back. It’s not unusual to have several things on our mind all at once.
Things like exams, family, friends, finances, and the future can feel overwhelming. Feeling stressed or tense can be a signal to take a break and have some downtime. Relaxation is important for our mental health.
In this article, you will find:
How do I recognise signs of anxiety?
Josh and Jen discuss how you can recognise the signs and symptoms of anxiety.