Wellbeing advice can seem so stupid when you are really low – why bother?
Depression can keep people pinned to the mattress when others are jumping out of bed to face the day. Anxiety can lock you in the house when others are getting outside in the sunshine. And then people – it may be your doctor or a friend – tell you that some silly little thing can improve your wellbeing. ‘Get a little exercise, or volunteer for something’, they say.
It all seems so… pathetic.
If that is you, here is a question. Why did the British cycling team wipe the floor with the opposition in the 2012 Olympics? Their boss, Dave Brailsford, believed that by changing a lot of little things you could make a big difference performance. All those ‘marginal gains’ made a big difference when you add them together.
Several small changes in your life – added together – can make a serious difference, even if you are feeling very unwell. So, you could:
Talk to a friend on the phone once a day, plus…
Watch something new on TV or research something new on the internet, plus…
Get out for a walk, or a jog, or a bike ride, plus…
Keep an eye on your moods and emotions, jot down your thoughts, plus…
Phone someone who needs your support, tell them you care…
Taken together, over time, you are organising your own recovery! How good will it feel to look back and say, ‘I did that… with a little help from my friends!’
Medication can be one of those marginal gains too, so talk to your doctor and stick with her advice. But recovery is not just about being an obedient patient but making the small changes that get your life back together.
Here are some places that will give you some more wellbeing advice for marginal gains :
Action for Happiness: Ten Keys to Happier Living
New Economics Foundation: Five Ways to Wellbeing