Mental Health – dressedfromwithin

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A BREAK FOR YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

Posted on 15/09/202114/09/2021 by Coach Adele

We live in a society which completely absorbs our energy; each day is like a jungle, a non-stop race that prevents us from enjoying the present time as we should, while we are constantly focused on our future, overwhelmed with a permanent To Do List that has full control over us.

Therefore, it is important to realise when it is the case to stop that freight train and to have a mental and physical break.

As you know, our mind and our body are connected more than you might imagine; physical health problems can significantly increase the chance to develop a mental health disorder, and vice versa; research shows that anxiety and depression are the most common consequences of a physical condition, however it is not excluded that a long-term physical illness could cause a panic disorder or a heart disease.

Hence it is advisable to be more aware of any possible burnout, and to be able to identify any red flag when it shows up before it will be too late.

But what are the most experienced symptoms of a breakdown and how can we recognise them?

Cases can be various, and they can differ from person to person, depending on several factors, but if you happen to notice any of the following cues, then it is the right time for you to step back and to slow down.

Have a break if you:

Feel mentally and physically exhausted, despite your 9-10 hours’ sleep

Have you ever feel completely knocked out even after sleeping for longer than your usual? You think that you have fully recovered from a hectic week at work, but your face is still tense, and your energy level seems to be down; this is a clear evidence of high stress, and you should be taking some days off, dedicating some time for yourself only and to disconnect from the rest of the world for a moment.

Experience any difficulties concentrating and you need to go back to the same task repeatedly

Has it ever happened to you? How often did you go through the same line before sending a simple email to your boss? And how often have you read that paragraph before being able to memorize it? Like a permanent sense of tiredness, a lack of concentration may be another wake-up call in these events. Both factors can be linked to each other, and they can be experienced at the same time, depending on the person’s resilience and mental fitness.

Are easily irritable and you can’t control your emotions

Impulsiveness and aggressive reactions are in most cases due to challenging situations that might be affecting our psychological wellbeing – causes are countless and might have several reasons, but they usual involve people’s personal life and sphere; also, even a chronic disorder or a long-term physical disease is likely to impact your mood, and consequently, your behaviour.

Have been eating a significant amount of food and in a short time, or if you have a loss of appetite

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

Mind these kinds of symptoms, as they might be warning signals of a possible eating disorder, and you should never allow this to happen to you. Your body and your mind don’t deserve that; instead, be prompt to listen to both, understanding that every small action has a valid reason behind it and that it is better to ask for external support when needed.

Get regularly sick and you start developing some physical conditions that you have never had before

Sometimes stress can be so unsustainable and difficult to handle that it starts to impact our immune system too.

I still remember how often I was getting ill when I was extremely anxious and overwhelmed. I experienced the most uncommon symptoms, to the point that I could be barely able to speak or eat due to a severe infection because of mouth ulcers.

I was getting hypochondriac, thinking that I had the worst existing diseases in the planet, even though facts were proving the opposite, showing that I was perfectly fine and healthy.

It is incredible, but this is how powerful our mind and our thoughts are.

Have moments of extreme euphoria, followed by instants of sadness and negative mood

Managing your mood might be a factor of stress itself, and if you can’t make any plan or complete even a simple task you have been doing for a while because of that, then you might be mentally exhausted, or something might be not quite right in your life right now. Bear in mind that, in these cases, if you don’t take any action straight away, this might compromise not only your relationship with yourself, but also with people within your circle. In addition to this, in the most serious cases, this mood swing might take you to experience a mild form of bipolarism, a mental disorder that includes emotional hights (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

Have been feeling incredibly sad and you have a loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

Talking about bipolarism and symptoms correlated, if your mood is extremely down and you are struggling to find motivation in things you used to do before, and even the easiest tasks have a strong impact on your emotional and physical wellbeing, then it is recommendable to ask for external support as soon as possible.

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and a major contributor to suicide and coronary heart disease.

Do not wait till it becomes an obstacle for your whole life.

It is humanly acceptable to be feeling tired and under pressure at times. External factors make a tremendous contribution to our mental and physical health. Hence you should be seriously looking after yourself, making sure to have enough rest, but first of all, that you are aware of your current psychological state.

Remember, you should always be your own priority, no matter what, as if you are not at peace with yourself you will not find any happiness and stability within the outside world either.

Do not be afraid to ask for help when needed and stop blaming yourself for having hit rock bottom again. It happens.

Life is a cycle, and we all have our ups and downs.

The first step begins with acceptance.

You can embark on a healing journey today only if you accept to have a moment of pause.

There is nothing wrong with it. Allow yourself to slow down when your mind and body ask you to do so.

7 REASONS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO BREAK THE STIGMA OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

Posted on 07/07/202106/07/2021 by Coach Adele

We have been reading about stigma of mental health conditions quite often nowadays.

People are frustrated and exhausted; they are tired of having to keep hiding their own feelings and emotions in a society that is consuming us every day more.

There is an even stronger need of confrontation and support right now, after all the uncertainty and the big changes that the pandemic has involved in many sectors of our everyday life.

But what is exactly a ‘stigma’ and how it affects our mental and physical wellbeing?

A stigma is a sign of unacceptability, the shame or disgraced attached to something defined as ‘socially inadmissible’.

My question to this form of prejudice that has been happening from a lifetime is:

When are we going to reach parity in treating mental health and physical health?

There is much talk about it, but only a few facts and little concrete actions, in fact recent studies on mental health statistics in the UK have proven that only a 36.2% of people suffering from a mental health disease get treated for it.

And do you know why this happens? Some people take longer to realise the stage of their psychological conditions, others believe that they can handle their personal problems on their own, however the main reason of it is due to an excessive worry of social contexts and people’s assumptions – how shameful!

We live in the 21^st Century and we still have to face and tolerate the hypocrisy and the abuses from those who take freedom to bully and to marginalise the weakest ones for the sheer pleasure of feeling powerful and almighty.

Stop Bullying — Photo by Rodnae Productions from Pexels

This is unbearable if you think about those suffering from any other physical illness, like diabetes, cancer, chronic or heart disease, and how these cases are fairly considered by society.

Nevertheless, there are still countless ‘silent diseases’, such as anxiety, panic disorders, phobias, PTSD, schizophrenia, OCD and many others which are still identified as ‘less serious’ or, even worse, described with a derogatory language.

This is extremely alarming knowing the immense power of our mind, capable of taking over us, easily making any mental disease a physical disability in a short period of time if not treated properly.

Therefore, I have decided to write this article to support this cause, and to offer my help to those struggling with mental health diseases, with the only aim of breaking the stigma of psychological conditions, by inviting you to reflect on the importance of talking openly about it.

You may be wondering now why would you sharing your personal experiences with a stranger who does not have nothing to do with you and with your own life?

Good point, however no one is forcing you to do this, unless you understand how incredible the impact of your action would be, not only on yourself but also on other people’s mental health.

When I was younger, I was a victim of this system too, and even the thought of being judged or unfairly labelled and excluded by my peers was terrifying me.

I have spent years and years pretending to be someone else, building my own character to better fit the social schemes of my generation, with the consequence of forgetting completely who I was and what I wanted in my life.

Be You — Photo by Vie Studio from Pexels

But then I reached a point when I realised that this ongoing hiding was not worthy at all, and that I absolutely deserve to be free to be my real self, stop being ashamed of my own feelings and emotions. And if I could go back, I would probably make the same choice again and again, as I am 100 % confident of my own decision and on the implications that this could have not only on my mental and physical wellbeing, but also on my relationships with people around me.

It is extraordinary how a simple and small action can make you feel relieved and reborn, changing completely your whole life and your perception of the outside world.

This is why, now that we are reaching the end of today’s topic, I am going to share with you a 7 Steps Guide I have set for myself as a reminder of the importance of breaking the stigma of Mental Health Conditions.

Whenever you are struggling to let your thoughts out, remember that:

You are free to express yourself without any worries of being judged or wrongly labelled by society.
Talking openly about your mental health illness makes you have a better understanding of where you are right now, analysing the causes and the consequences impacting your emotional state.
It can help not only yourself, but also someone else struggling with a similar condition, as it will encourage other people to talk.
It will change your concept related to your disease, turning it from a negative into a positive one, and you will feel less pressured and anxious about it.
You are not the only person in this room suffering from a mental health condition. 1 out of 6 people in the UK experiences a mental health disease, especially nowadays, due to the pandemic and the impact of it on our lives.
If you decide to stop pretending to be okay, someone else will do the same.
There is nothing wrong with being diagnosed with a mental health condition; it is like any other physical disability, and it can get more severe if not treated properly or if being held for a long time.

Do not let your fears and insecurities dictate your future and your own happiness.

There will always be someone trying to let you down; prejudice and assumptions are part of the human nature; you cannot change this, but you can change your approach to it by making a choice today: you will be no longer impacted by the judgement of people around you.

You have the right to be yourself, expressing your feelings without any shame or fear.

Talk to someone today, let your ‘silent disability’ be heard and have the respect that it deserves.

Girl Happy — Photo by Alena Shekhovtcova from Pexels

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE PANDEMIC

Posted on 21/04/202119/04/2021 by Coach Adele

It has been already one year since the pandemic hit us, radically changing our way of being and our own lives. But, if you think about it, it seems yesterday when we were pestered by continuous news about Covid-19, first in China and then, gradually spreading all over the world.

Who would have predicted this virus would have affected us so dramatically?

It is incredible how negatively it has impacted not only the economy of the whole planet, but also human interactions and, not to mention about people’s mental health.

At times it felt like I was being run over by a train at full speed. And I am sure most of you might know what I am talking about.

Yes, I mean you, reading this article, hoping to find someone who has been going through the same storm as you are. Others some more, others some less, we have been all overwhelmed by this tragic event.

Many people have been made redundant, have lost family members and their loved ones, some have left the UK, moving back to their countries of origin, and so many couples have separated. In short, it has been a real catastrophe. And it is not over yet!

But today, I would like to share my personal experience with you, and I hope this will help you to feel understood and that it will encourage you not to give up. Because I know it is not easy to cope with your own thoughts when it seems like everything is coming apart.

Till February 2021 I had the perfect life. I had a job that I loved, amazing friends and so many reasons to be happy. It was too great to be real. I still remember how often I closed my eyes, wondering if I was just dreaming of if it was all true, having to deal with anxiety since I was a kid.

But, apparently, my own wars were not over yet. Covid has invaded my personal balance, and it has been like a nightmare.

I was furloughed for 6 long months which – although not extremely hard at the very beginning – became a struggle with each passing day. All my traumas from the past came to a head when I had a panic attack on the tube. And so, anxiety knocked on my door once again, after so long, and I got ill.

It has been tough having to accept it, as I thought my mental illness was just a bad distant memory, but I was wrong. Because, believe it or not, if you are a sensitive person, you will always be predisposed to suffer from anxiety, even after years. There will be a single incident that will jog something loose in your mind, and it will easily get out of control.

I went back to work in the middle of my panic disorder for two months, before being furloughed again, and my frantic run towards an endless tunnel begun.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood & Maisa Borges from Pexels

I was terrified of the thought of another lockdown alone in a foreign country. I needed my family, I could not cope with that alone, not at that time. Thus, I decided to go back home for a while, and so I booked the last flight to Italy before the borders were closed, and I stayed there for a while.

My fixed appointments with panic attacks kept recurring often, even if I kept hiding my feelings, pretending it was all good, lying not only to my parents and to my friends, but also to myself. And it was just then that I decided I had to do something to fight my own battles. I had to study the brain to have a better understanding of what was going on with my mind. I wanted to be able to solve my own problems, and to help other people struggling with the same illnesses one day.

And that is how Dressed From Within was born, combining my passion for fashion and my personal experiences with psychology and my natural tendency to support those in need.

Over a three month period, I took a course in Fashion and Styling and another one in Life Coaching, before immersing myself in the fascinating world of Neuro Linguistic Programming, and then I started to work on my website. In the meanwhile, a new vacancy as a Team Leader on my current job was opened, and I thought I should go for it.

Once again, I needed a big change, and I had to face my own fears to survive and to be able to live again.

I was still on furlough when I decided I had to come back to London, as I felt every day more insecure and fragile, despite everything I was doing to cope with anxiety and all my personal goals.

And it was just when I set foot into the underground again that I realised I was completely out of control and that I needed some help. Social anxiety is like an impetuous shadow that follows you everywhere you go when you leave your place and you are surrounded by people. Those suffering from the same illness know what I am talking about. And it is terrible because it leads you to isolate yourself from social contexts, no matter how friendly you are and how much you love human interactions. It changes your personality completely, making you vulnerable and depressed.

And this is how I started to feel at some point. I was tired, frustrated, hopeless. I had no more strength to fight as the more I was trying to cope with my anxiety, the more I was hit by panic attacks. I was about to give up on my dreams, on my goals and on my project. I felt like my studies were not helping me as I hoped they would.

Thus, one day I convinced myself that I had to ask for help, and so I did. And I will never regret my choice, as it made me realise that I am not alone and that I have all the resources I need to face my own wars.

On the first of April 2021, I launched my own business as an Image Consultant and Empowerment Coach, and shortly after, I got the incredible news that I passed that job interview and I got promoted as a Team Leader at my current workplace. I would be lying if I told you that the fact that I had to go back to work did not scare me. Till a couple of weeks ago, I was not even able to take the tube due to panic disorders.

But I did go to the office on my first day and I was still panicking the first week, that I thought I would not pull it off, as I could barely breathe, and I was struggling to cope with those chronic stomach cramps.

And now I am here, happier than ever to have won one of the most traumatic battles of my life, I am proud of myself and of my courage, that bravery that has never left me, even when I thought I was failing and that I did not have any more reason for hope.

To be fully honest, it has not been easy to share my recent experience with you right now, as it is still fresh and vivid in my mind, but I thought I should talk about it to make you feel less alone and to encourage you to keep fighting.

Holding hands — Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

You are not weak if you suffer from mental illness. And you are not a loser if you ask for help. You are more special and unique than you think. Trust me, you would not be anxious if you did not have that deep perception of things. Panic would not suck your energy and your every breath if you were not so perfectionist and considerate. And depression would not destroy you if you were not the sensitive human being that you are.

Because, whether you realize it or not, you are incredible and you are capable of everything you want!

Do not lose that faith, never ever! As it will be what will give you the strength to move on and what will make you believe in yourself again, when you least expect it. And that is exactly what happened to me.

I hope that my story would help you to see a glimmer of light in that dark room you have been hiding. Remember, you are stronger than you think. Never doubt that.

Mental Health — Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels

PSYCHOLOGY AND FASHION – ARE THEY LINKED?

Posted on 17/03/202131/03/2021 by Coach Adele

Have you ever thought about the impact that psychology has on people’s behaviours, habits, vision and values, and how it then reverberates completely throughout our everyday life?

And have you ever seen fashion as a sort of mirror that reflects our personalities, our past experiences and who we are today?

You have come across my blog right now probably because you like to go deeper and deeper, constantly looking for what is beneath the mainstream surface, a reason that could possibly explain why things are a certain way.

And that is why, through this article, I am inviting you to disconnect from the idea you have always had about fashion and style as ‘simple clothing and nothing else’, introducing you to a more complex concept of it: we are what we wear!

Believe it or not, the entire world of fashion is connected to psychology and people’s mental health more than you could have ever imagined.

Fashion is not only an art. It is the freedom of soul, a real expression of ourselves and our emotions.

How many times did you feel unique, powerful, desired and in the spotlight while proudly sporting the dress of your dreams, the one you always wanted to wear? Did you not experience excitement, good vibes, and a particular sense of power?

And how often did you hear people or magazines talking about the common and effective retail therapy? Which, as incorrect as it may be (in the medical and psychotherapeutic field it is not an actual therapy, and in addition to it, spending money and busy shops can be stressful at times), it has statistically proven to have a positive impact on our brain and personal well-being, as long as it does not lead to a compulsive buying disorder and you do not exceed on shopping.

But, what does exactly happen in our mind when we do something for ourselves simply to feel better within our consciousness? When we generate positive thoughts, our brain starts producing serotonin, creating a feeling of happiness, peace and calm. *

*For those who have never come across this before, Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and it is commonly known as a ‘happy hormone’, together with Dopamine (important part of the brain’s reward system), Oxytocin, the ‘love hormone’, and Endorphins (our body’s natural pain reliever).

By contrast, in the experience of anxiety and depression, we tend to dedicate less time looking after our wellness and our image, ending up not caring enough about our person, our body, and in the worst-case scenario, about our whole life.

Fashion & Psychology 3 — Photo by Francesca Zama from pexels

Have you ever awakened in the morning in the most absolute negativity? It’s a new day but you are impassive, and you feel completely apathetic, responding with inertia. And you get on with it, just because this is what you should do. But the truth is that deep down you know that the only thing you want is to be left in peace and to hibernate from the rest world.

Did it happen to you? Well, I guess so, at least once in your life.

And did you dress up on that occasion? Did you wear make-up? Did you tie up your hair, as usual?

I remember, when I was going through a breakdown a few years ago, I did not even take off my pyjamas, as I was so sick and depressed. Do you feel it is a justifiable reaction that we use to cope with that specific emotional state? And would you act in a similar manner under these circumstances?

I know some people have the ability to take life lightly, facing each challenge with an astonishing amount of courage and an enviable tenacity, like if it was another great opportunity to prove how brave and determined they are.

A striking example of this is one of my mother’s historical friends, an incredibly strong woman that has always wanted to get noticed for her eccentric and extravagant style, led by an extremely strong personality. She has been fighting against cancer for her whole life, travelling all over the world, looking for the right treatment and medication that could at least relieve the pain that she has been carrying on with her for all those years. Many times, she was told she would not make it or that she would have had just a couple of months left. However, I have not seen her even once without her long blond wig, her showy rings and accessories, complemented by her inevitable heavy make-up.

She is a real example and a role model to me, a great woman full of life that would fight against all odds to win each battle that might show up.

Following the theory of ‘looking good to feel good’ is advisable, not only when going through a tough time. It should be kept as a permanent state of mind instead, as a law that cannot be broken, no matter what. *

Fashion & Psychology - Looking Good to Feel Good — Photo by Sam Lion from Pexels

*In the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health professionals have been encouraging those working from home to make sure that they would have followed the same morning routines as usual (having a shower, getting dressed, wearing make-up, etc..) as to get ready for the day. It feels you with a sense of purpose with a natural state of preparedness and determination. This advice was not so people could look good for others, but an effective way to naturally feel good about themselves.

I would also recommend having a couple of strategic outfits in your wardrobe that can make you feel unique and powerful. You should save them for special occasions for when external factors are negatively affecting you, as if life was sending you messages that what you are doing at the moment is not quite right and you should acknowledge it. These strategic outfits will aid you in taking extra care of yourself, by empowering your emotional well-being and promoting your mental confidence.

But let’s now have a deeper look at how psychology reflects on human behaviours, posture and body language, and people’s style.

Have you ever noticed that more introverted people tend not to show much about themselves by keeping a basic and neutral style, generally hunching their shoulders inward, both when sitting and standing?

By contrast, confident personalities dress for success, looking impeccable most of the times through a unique attention to details. These people make eye contact when engaging a conversation with a pitch and distinct tone of voice, having a great posture and steady head.

As you can see, fashion plays a significant role in who we are and in our lifestyle.

You can tell many things by the way people dress, the way they act, by their unconscious attitudes, approaches and habits, even by the way they walk.

A brisk walking pace speaks volumes about our level of self-confidence. It shows determination and a high self-esteem, attracting those around us and spreading positive energy to the whole surrounding environment.

Thus, psychology holds immense power on our everyday lives, affecting who we are, our choices and our mental health.

A bit of simple advice I would like to give you today, is to avoid taking life too seriously.

Try to picture it as if it was a wardrobe. I am sure most of you might do a bit of de-cluttering from time to time, preparing for the season change or even just for emotional needs, organising clothes by getting rid of things you no longer need and replacing them with the latest trends. Why not trying to do the same with your own limiting beliefs, cleaning your mind from each negative thought that is preventing you from making your dreams come true and from becoming who you want to be?

If it is not your intention to live for the day, to not be overtaken by external events and circumstances, make sure you do the same with fashion: simplify, select your garments, be unique and dress every day to impress!

Tag: Mental Health

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A BREAK FOR YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

7 REASONS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO BREAK THE STIGMA OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

PSYCHOLOGY AND FASHION – ARE THEY LINKED?

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