top of page

Managing Mental Health

Written by Osteopath Georgia Hutchinson

Mental health challenges can affect anyone, anywhere. It's important to not only recognise how mental health struggles may show up in the body but also to understand the support systems available to us—both socially and professionally. By raising awareness of these two interconnected aspects, we can aim to better manage mental health challenges and physical manifestations. 


Recognising the Support Around You

One of the most crucial steps in managing mental health is realising that you don’t have to face it alone. Often, we forget that support is available, whether from friends, family, or professionals. Knowing how and where to seek help is essential to navigating mental health challenges.


1. Social Support Systems

Having a network of people to lean on is vital. Friends, family, and close colleagues can provide emotional support, lend a listening ear, and help reduce feelings of isolation. Simply talking about what’s going on in your life may relieve some of the emotional and physical tension that may have built up over time.

  • Reach Out: Sharing your feelings with trusted individuals may bring a sense of relief. Often, talking about what you’re going through opens the door to further support.

  • Set Boundaries: While support is important, it’s crucial to establish boundaries. Surround yourself with people who respect your need for space when necessary and understand the importance of your mental health journey.


2. Professional Help

Mental health professionals, such as psychologists, therapists, and counsellors, offer structured support. If you’re facing persistent mental health issues affecting your daily life, seeking professional help can equip you with the tools to cope and heal.

  • Therapy and Counseling: Speaking with a therapist may help you identify stressors, develop coping strategies, and work through underlying issues. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for example, may be an effective approach for managing anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions.

  • Osteopathy and Manual Therapy: For those dealing with the physical manifestations of mental health challenges, osteopathy and other forms of manual therapy may be invaluable. Treatments may target muscle tension, headaches, and even stress-related digestive issues, promoting both physical and emotional health. 

  • Holistic Approaches: Practices like meditation, yoga, or sound healing may complement traditional therapy by assisting in calming the nervous system and reduce physical tension caused by emotional stress. These techniques encourage relaxation and may provide the mental clarity needed to approach challenges with a calm mind.



Taking Action: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health

Managing mental health is not only about tackling emotional challenges; it's about caring for your body too. When stress builds up, it often manifests as physical symptoms, which may worsen emotional distress. Pain Australia (2019) states that one in five people with severe pain suffer from depression or other mood disorders. By combining social and professional support with self-care practices, you can support both the mental and physical aspects of your well-being.

Build a Support Network: Connect with friends, family, or professionals who can provide emotional support when you need it.

Address Physical Symptoms: Pay attention to how your body reacts to stress. Jaw clenching, headaches, and muscle tension are signs that your body needs care.

Physical Exercise: Physical exercise can have a profound positive impact on mood.The Mental Health Foundation (2021) states that when you exercise, your brain releases chemicals to make you feel good.  Ways you can exercise are through strength and endurance training, walking, swimming, bike riding, surfing or pilates. If you need more advice surrounding the type of physical activity that may suit you best seek further advice from an exercise physiologist or your local osteopath.  Or visit some links at the end of the blog.

Practice Relaxation: Incorporating mindfulness techniques, like deep breathing, sound healing, or regular exercise, may help relieve physical symptoms of stress.

Seek Professional Care: Whether it’s therapy for emotional support or osteopathy for physical tension, don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed.


The Physical Manifestations of Mental Health Struggles

Mental health challenges may frequently show up in our bodies. The mind-body connection is powerful, and chronic stress, anxiety, or depression may lead to a range of physical symptoms. Some common examples include:

Jaw Clenching and Teeth Grinding: Stress and anxiety may cause people to clench their jaws or grind their teeth without realising it. This may lead to jaw tension, headaches, and sometimes dental issues.

Headaches and Migraines: Mental health struggles may trigger tension headaches or migraines. Stress tightens the muscles in the neck and shoulders potentially causing pain.

Muscle Tension and Pain: Emotional strain may cause muscles to tighten, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Prolonged muscle tension may lead to stiffness, pain, and difficulty relaxing or sleeping.

Fatigue and Low Energy: Mental health issues, especially depression, may leave you feeling physically drained and exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep.

Digestive Problems: The gut can be highly sensitive to emotional stress. Anxiety and depression may lead to gut related health symptoms.



Understanding mental health means recognising both the emotional and physical impacts of stress and anxiety. It’s essential to reach out to the support systems around you, whether it be friends, family, or professionals. By addressing both the mental and physical aspects of your well-being, you’ll be better equipped to manage the challenges that come your way.


Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, and remember that support is always closer than you think. If you are struggling with mental health, reach out to someone you trust or seek professional advice. Below are some trusted resources where you can find help.


Lifeline https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or call 13 11 14 


If you are interested in learning more about sound healing, our receptionist Courtney offers regular group and private sessions! You can learn more here.


If you need support with physical symptoms related to your mental health, please give us a call to discuss your needs. Alternatively you can book an appointment below.




References: 


The Link Between Depression and Chronic Pain: Neural Mechanisms in the Brain: 


Pain and Psychology: 


Ways you can exercise:

 

Tags:

Comments

bottom of page