Depression and anxiety. They're the scourge of modern society, and it doesn't look like they'll be going away any time soon. A relentless and rising tide of demands on all of us, and our 'always-on, always-connected' culture sees to that.
It's no wonder, then, that our bodies and minds become completely exhausted with the grinding, non-stop nature of it all. And yet, if we step back and start to engage with what our bodies are trying to tell us, there are some vital early warning signs we can become aware of, and, if we take appropriate action, can actually help to prevent an illness episode, or at least help lessen its severity.
I refer to this as the body's 'dashboard' - a finely tuned, highly sensitive range of warning lights which the body uses to flash up its distress to us when under too many demands. So, what are the warning lights on the dashboard? Here are four, for starters...
Sleep - A classic early warning feature that something's not right. If you're taking longer than normal to get off to sleep at night, with your mind churning like a washing machine, or else you're waking up at 3 or 4 am and can't get back to sleep, this is likely to be your body telling you that you've got a lot on your plate.
Cognitive abilities - Memory and concentration can be badly impaired, so that even minor daily tasks can feel daunting, or fall to one side, lost in a jumble of preoccupations and worried ruminations. Meetings and other commitments can be forgotten, and lists might be needed to stay on top of even the most mundane activities.
Social engagement - Whereas socialising may once have been a pleasure, done with ease, it now becomes a chore, something to be avoided or even dreaded. The thought of having to put on a 'mask', be strong and play the part can all feel too much.
Bodily aches and pains - Even minor levels of depression and anxiety can 'turn the volume up' on pain. The pain is absolutely real, and it certainly isn't something that's imagined, but it's felt more intensely, more acutely, more naggingly, when your mind is also overloaded.
The really unfortunate thing about these warning lights is that although we are all able to recognise that they're happening, we generally don't understand what they mean, or how to respond appropriately.
For instance, a common reaction to experiencing these warnings is to berate ourselves, and to 'try harder'. We may do things like stay even later at work to make up for our lack of output, trying to find some way to force ourselves back to normal.
This turns out to be the worst possible thing to do; it's like seeing an accident on the road in front of us, and actively accelerating into it. As soon as we recognise any of these warning lights, we should be recognising them as a first step, and then taking appropriate action.
Most likely that'll involve pulling back from commitments, taking stock of everything that's going on and offloading as much as possible. It may also include drawing boundaries, learning to say 'no', managing the expectations of others, and building in some personal down-time for a deep recharge. If all doesn't settle soon, then perhaps finding some professional help from a trained therapist or doctor could be the next step.
As with most things in life, a problem nipped in the bud can be turned around more quickly than one that's allowed to build. So, keep an eye on your body's dashboard, stay on top of what it's telling you, and you'll definitely have the wellbeing edge.
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