Hey, are you okay?

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and after all the lockdowns, isolation, unrest and insecurity, it’s more important than ever that we check in on you, and maybe give you a little tip or two to keep you feeling good!

Let’s get really real for a second - mental health is something that has been a taboo topic for such a long time. How often have each of us said ‘I’m fine’ or ‘yeah good, you?’ when asked ‘how are you?’ when really, the answer wasn’t simple or upbeat.

It’s Time to Talk.

I don’t mind telling you that I’ve had my own mental health issues to overcome - both in recent years and a long time ago - and the BIGGEST help ever was talking to people about it. At first it was hard. I didn’t want to. I feared their judgement, their annoyance, their dismissiveness. When I finally did speak, I was met with nothing but love and support, nothing but ‘how can I help?’ ‘my DMs are always open’ and ‘let’s go get a coffee and talk about it’. To sound cliche, it really felt like a weight was lifted. So talk. Pick one friend and talk to them about how you’re really feeling and go from there. That mean little voice can’t bother you forever if you talk over it. You also don’t know who else you’re helping when you do bring light to these things - I’ve become something of an over-sharer and without tooting my own horn too much, I can say for a fact that in making sure I was vocal about things, others have felt less alone.

Take a Break.

I mean it - we’re all workaholics and we can all go for hours and hours and hours, pulling ourselves this way and that - lash appointments, keeping up with friends and family, kids, growing your business, answering messages, finances - it’s a lot and it can feel very scary! Trust me when I tell you that NOT taking time for yourself is so unbelievably counterproductive. Burnout is very real and will be far more of a barrier to your productivity than making sure you spend a little bit of time looking after yourself each day. (I recommend a hot bath, a good book, and a tasty drink!)

Find A Hobby.

This can easily come under the above, but it stands alone as an important thing by itself that will just occupy your mind in a totally different way. You have a business to run, you might have a family to look after, a home to keep, and goodness knows what else. I can’t believe I’m saying this but it can’t all be about lashes - find something that soothes you. Be it video games, reading, sudoku, painting, pilates - just have some good, relaxing fun!

Exercise.

Exercise releases endorphins, making you more energetic and happier - it doesn’t have to be in a gym, it doesn’t even have to be hard, sweaty or painful (though if you like that kind of thing, by all means get those biceps pumping!) it’s about movement! Whether it’s yoga, team sports, jogging, boxing, or just a nice little wander through the park, it’s all good for your mind! This will of course prevent lash related back aches/strains etc. as well, as you’ll just be more mobile.

Eat!

I’m not about to tell you to eat salad after salad after salad; if that’s your thing then great, but let’s be extra honest - sometimes we do not have the energy. Just make sure you are eating a good amount of food each day to keep your energy levels up, and make sure to STAY HYDRATED. I cannot stress the importance of just eating and drinking water for your mental health.

Positive Affirmations.

If that sounds like airy-fairy nonsense to you then fine, but there’s a lot to be said for just telling yourself ‘I’m good at what I do. I am worthy of love and kindness. I am a force to be reckoned with. I look very cute today. I deserve good things’. Just being a bit kinder to yourself will make a big difference. It might feel weird at first, but it will become very natural in time.

With all of that being said, it’s perfectly fine and valid to feel however you feel at any given time - it’s okay to cry, to be stressed, to sulk - forcing positivity all the time is also exhausting so if you need to just be a bit miserable then by all means feel free - it’s very human emotion! The most important thing is that you don’t let those emotions get on top of you. When you start having more crappy days than good or even okay days, that’s when it’s time to talk!