All eyes on your mental health 👀

Recently I met the most incredible disabled guy, who was paralysed from the chest down after a sporting injury. Without doubt, this kind of injury changes a life immeasurably. Many of us could take a shower and use the loo in just 5-10 minutes, however for him, it takes an hour!

Different people will react differently to the same situation. Many people experience an accident, injury or health condition and allow it to stop them from leading a fulfilled life, whilst others in the same situation adapt, change and find an opportunity.

Ben was a sporty person before his injury. Despite this life-changing incident, he has decided not to let it stop him and has continued with his previously sporty life, albeit in an adapted form. In fact, he has doubled-down on his efforts and is now competing nationally and internationally in a variety of sports! What an inspiration!

Review your reaction

It got me thinking about how often our reaction is based on our perception of a situation, or some form of conditioning (such as cultural norms, or learned behaviours), or may be dictated by the opinion of people we consider knowledgeable or professionals, like Doctors.

Make the best of it

A Doctor told Ben that, after his accident, he would not have the range of movement that he does now. He certainly didn’t expect him to be competing in international sports competitions! Whilst Ben clearly does not lead the same life as before, he decided to disregard the Doctor’s prognosis. He proved him wrong by making the best of the situation and has not allowed it to stop him doing what he loves.

I hear this type of story time and time again where someone’s determination to succeed, live or recover defies all expectations and is often labelled ‘an anomaly’. But all too often, the human response is to accept the prognosis, letting it become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

If you can’t change it, can you change the way you look at it?

So this week’s message is, if you can’t change it, can you change the way you look at it? With some effort, and the right support, we can:

• challenge our perceptions,

• reframe our conditioning (such as cultural norms or learned behaviours), or

• look for an alternative view/approach of a professional opinion.

We can look for the positives, and even take opportunities where they present themselves, like Ben. This will ultimately make our choices or life circumstances easier to accept and manage, which will improve our mental health enormously.

This doesn’t come easily and will likely take a period of adjustment. Sometimes we need help for this in the form of coaching, counselling or therapy. Mental Health Getaway may be able to help with this on a one-to-one basis, or certainly on our Getaways.

Which of your situations needs to be challenged, reframed or reassessed?

Well wishes,

Andie. x

Image: by 2998800 from Pixabay