In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals faced unprecedented challenges, impacting their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Robert Hunter, peer support worker at ELFT, candidly shares his personal experiences, offering insights into the importance of self-care, routine, and emotional well-being during difficult times.
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Q: Can you share any of your personal experiences of taking care of your health during the pandemic or at any time?
A: Certainly! Let me start by sharing my experiences during the pandemic, as they are the most recent and impactful. During that time, I was not working for the NHS; instead, I had a night shift job at Morrisons, which presented its own set of challenges. Working night shifts can be quite rough, and I was also dealing with my ADHD diagnosis, thyroid problems, and other health issues.
Maintaining a routine is crucial for me, but when the pandemic hit, everything was thrown out the window. I believe many others faced similar disruptions. Without a routine, I struggled to regulate myself and experienced a decline in my mental and physical well-being. It ultimately led to a mental breakdown, forcing me to confront the fact that something was not right within myself.
Q: How did you cope with these challenges and prioritise your health?
A: Coping with the challenges required a significant amount of self-reflection and self-care. I had to be tough with myself and make intentional changes to improve my well-being. Firstly, I focused on establishing a routine again, even if it meant adjusting it to fit the new circumstances. I recognised that routine was essential for my mental health and made efforts to stick to it as much as possible.
Furthermore, I realised that I needed to be more proactive in managing my physical and mental health. I started going to the gym, drinking more water, and making an effort to engage with my friends and family for social support. Additionally, as a peer support worker, I learned the importance of managing emotions and developed a visualisation technique using four "batteries" for different aspects of my life: social energy, emotional energy, physical energy, and mental energy. This visualisation allowed me to be more honest with myself about my limitations and take necessary steps to recharge those batteries.
Q: What lessons did you learn from this experience?
A: One of the most significant lessons I learned was the importance of self-care and self-acceptance. I had to accept that some days my batteries wouldn't be as charged as others, and that was okay. Instead of beating myself up about it, I practiced kindness towards myself and focused on what I could do to improve. Acceptance played a crucial role in understanding when my body and mind were telling me that something was wrong or that I needed to take a break.
Another important lesson was the realisation that being selfish is not inherently negative. To be selfless, we must first take care of ourselves. This understanding allowed me to prioritise my own well-being without guilt or hesitation. By being honest with myself and listening to my body and mind, I was able to navigate through difficult times and regain a sense of balance.
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Taking care of our health, especially during challenging times like the pandemic, is essential. Men's Health Week serves as a reminder to prioritise our well-being, both physically and mentally, and to take proactive steps towards self-care. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. Let us all strive to be healthier, happier individuals who support and uplift one another on this journey of self-discovery and well-being.