Category: Managing your mental health

1. Are You a People Pleaser? Here are the Telltale Signs to Watch For

   Posted on 10:00am Thursday 22nd Jun 2023

   Are you someone who finds it difficult to say no? Are you someone who finds themselves constantly putting others before yourself? Do you feel the need to say yes to every request or offer assistance even when you don't really want to? If so, you may have a people-pleasing aspect of your personality. Although it may seem like a positive trait to constantly want to please others, it can actually have a negative impact on your own wellbeing and mental health.  

   The negativeimpacts of being a people pleaser 

   People pleasing often comes at the expense of one's own needs and desires, leading to feelings of anxiety and stress. One major effect of people pleasing is a constant need for validation from others. When your happiness relies on the approval of others, it can lead to a never-ending cycle of seeking affirmation. This can be mentally exhausting and lead to anxiety when approval is not given. 

   Another negative impact of being a people pleaser is the inability to set boundaries. As people pleasers often put others' needs before their own they may also have trouble saying no or asserting themselves in situations where they feel uncomfortable. This can lead to feelings of resentment and being taken advantage of, causing additional stress and anxiety. 

    

   Signs you may be a people pleaser 

   1. Difficulty Saying "No": People pleasers have a hard time turning down requests or invitations from others. They often sacrifice their own needs and desires to make others happy. 

   2. Constant Need for Approval: A people pleaser seeks validation and approval from others constantly. They feel like they have to meet other people's expectations to feel accepted and loved. 

   3. Feeling Overwhelmed: A people pleaser tends to take on too much responsibility, and often finds themselves feeling overwhelmed. They have a hard time saying "no" to anything and everything that is asked of them. 

   4. Ignoring Personal Boundaries: People pleasers often neglect their own personal boundaries. They say yes to things they don't want to do and agree to things that don't align with their own personal values or goals. 

   5. Anxiety and Stress: People pleasing can have negative effects on your wellbeing. Anxiety and stress can develop from always trying to please others. It can also lead to resentment and frustration in the long run. 

    

   If you recognize any of these signs in yourself, it may be time to reflect on why you are behaving in this way, consider seeking professional support or practicing self-care strategies to improve your wellbeing.  

    

   How to break the habit of people pleasing 

   Breaking the habit of being a people pleaser is not an easy task. However, it is necessary for the sake of your mental health. Below are some tips to help you break the cycle of people pleasing: 

    

   1. Identify your needs and desires: Many people pleasersprioritise the needs of others over their own. Start by identifying your own needs and desires. What makes you happy? What are your priorities? By doing asking yourself these questions you will begin to prioritise your own needs and desires instead of always saying yes to others. 

   2. Practice saying no: Saying no is not a bad thing. In fact, it is necessary to maintain healthy boundaries. It is okay to decline invitations or requests that do not align with your own needs or desires. To move away from yes always being your default answer try saying no to small requests and work your way up to bigger ones. 

   3. Set boundaries: Setting boundaries is important for maintaining healthy relationships. Communicate your boundaries clearly and assertively. For example, if you need time alone, communicate this to your loved ones and stick to it. 

   4. Practice self-care: Prioritize your self-care routine. This can include exercise, meditation, journaling, or anything else that makes you feel good. Self-care helps you to recharge and refocus your energy on yourself. 

   5. Seek support: Breaking the habit of being a people pleaser can be challenging. Seek support from loved ones or a mental health professional. They can provide you with guidance and support as you navigate this process. 

    

2. Do you know the signs and symptoms of anxiety?

   Posted on 8:00am Monday 19th Jun 2023

   Anxiety is a normal and natural response to stress and danger that is characterized by feelings of nervousness, fear, and apprehension. It is an emotion that is often also accompanied by physical sensations such as sweating, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing. Anxiety can be a normal response to stress, but if it becomes excessive or persistent, it can interfere with daily activities and negatively impact your quality of life.  So if anxiety is a normal human experience how do we tell the difference between a normal level of anxiety and when we may need to seek support to manage it? 

   Signs and symptoms of anxiety

   Excessive worry or fear: People with problematic anxiety often experience persistent and excessive worry or fear about everyday situations or events.  It is often characterised by jumping to worst-case-scenarios or a level of fear that is significantly greater and therefore disproportionate to any actual rational risks. 

   Restlessness or feeling on edge: Anxiety can cause a sense of restlessness or feeling on edge that can be difficult to shake. 

   Difficulty concentrating: Anxiety can make it difficult to concentrate or focus on tasks, which can affect work or school performance. 

   Muscle tension: Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as muscle tension, which can lead to headaches, back pain, or other physical discomfort. Often we're unaware we're holding this tension in our muscles, other than perhaps feeling over tired, until we actually look for it.

   Sleep disturbances: Anxiety can interfere with sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, resulting in fatigue or exhaustion 

   Irritability: Anxiety can make you irritable or snappy with people, sometimes because you are on edge or perhaps because they don’t understand how your anxieties are impactingyou. 

   Changes in appetite.