Mental Health and Wellbeing

Stressful travelling on buses and trains.  Noise from people shouting on their mobiles in all sorts of languages.  Antisocial behaviour on the streets and roads.  Sometimes people just want a bit of quiet time to think or reflect or read a book.  My mental health can get quickly poor by other people's behaviours and it makes me moody.  Maybe we need some nice relaxing  music on buses and trains instead of tannoys when they speak you cannot understand what they are saying.  Rubbish on trains is also very annoying and graffitti.

What we can do to improve our mental health is knowing how to tackle measures that cause us severe stress. One of those factors sadly is the relentless antisocial behaivour happening all over London. This is in the form of drivers in cars hooting for no reason but to cause aggravation and misery in different neighbourhoods. We need measures in place from the police and council to work together in stamping out this vile hatred and antisocial behaivour within our communities. The sound from cars hooting is painful and distressing. There is also the boy-racers who are driving around revving in cars illegally modified and also those riding around on dirt bikes. The noise is causing sleepless nights, stress and adding to our everyday problems. We don't need this on our doorsteps. The solution is for punishment and for those causing this in this form of antisocial behaivour needs to be fined and prosecuted for the harassment they are causing. This punishment applies to anyone making someone else's life a living hell.

Signs that you may be struggling with your mental health include:

• problems sleeping
• losing interest in things you used to enjoy
• being tearful, irritable or restless
• feeling tired
• changes in appetite
• negative thoughts and feelings.
• I have been struggling with these for years and it's only getting worse my doctor doubled the dose of my medication and it's not helping no amount of talking helps I have been to different places and nothing has changed I feel so alone and lonely the took my pip away from me because i'm not sick enough I suffer with a lot health problems the the scumbag dwp are corrupt then I didn't get any help with heating in the winter we have nothing some times I feel that its not worth being here a lot of the time I just feel like taking all of my medication in one go and have be done with it I may look happy on the out side but inside i'm far from it but them signs is not all of it I have no choice but to suffer but things will only get worse till I say that's it I barely go out and don't do nothing because of fear and it no good giving me numbers they I have been to so many of these things my doctor gave me a list of numbers they either don't exist or you have to be referred or they can't help or there's a long waiting list but nothing will help I can do all the talking in the world and have no wait lifted off my shoulders nothing helps

Play music and dance. Exercise when I feel it. Cook. I love cooking good food. Having a sweet tooth means I will have cake and biscuits. Will go jogging around local park. Getting back into cycling. Will do a lot of walking. Reading and writing and having a good laugh all help. Long term therapy helps ( not the 6 sessions that are available on NHS that can't really deal with anything). 

I can also share what does not help?! 

I first went self-employed about 2 years ago in the middle of the pandemic. I found myself to be so much more productive as I could do multiple calls, have lots of meetings online, and actually take on much more work. Everyone was available and it was so much easier to manage the schedule and with lock-down, there wasnt really much else to do. It felt very settled with no pressure to socialise, go out, or do things. I actually now realise how much I dont like going to pubs or restaurants, instead preferring to cook from scratch at home or meet friends in a park for a walk or even a coffee in the open air. 

However, post lockdown, with everything back to normal, I found myself very isolated - everyone wanted to meet, go out and do things, which wasnt very good for my mental state (stress and anxiety of meeting expectations of "society"). It has taken my 18 months to accept and become settled again. 5 things that have happened:

1. I have 2 dedicated hobbies that I absolutely love - Squash and Travelling. Joining and volunteering in my local club has given me a diversity of community and connections - something I didnt have before. 

2. Learned to Let go: I have learned to say no and if "friends or colleagues" dont like it, then too bad.I now focus more on me!

3. Learn a new language/skill: I am learning Spanish. Having something to focus on for self development has given me a sense of self worth and pride. It also means that when I do go out to meet people, I have something to contribute. 

4. Become Financially Savvy: Learning how to reduce costs, reallocate budgets, and also how to increase my own revenues has reduced financial stress significantly. Knowing you have enough money for the month or two, has been a lifesaver. 

5. Stopped drinking Alcohol: By far the most effective and biggest driver of change. Reduced alcohol has saved me so many days of hangovers, so much money and I now feel so much more active and positive; whilst inspiring my family to do the same!

I exercise daily and do yoga once a week. The release of natural dopamine and serotonin from doing exercise I find is the best thing to keep a balanced mental health. I try to learn something new every year too, like taking a course or doing my own research on a new topic. It gives a confidence boost to increase my knowledge and awareness. Eating lots of fruit and veg, oily fish if you can afford it and drinking water helps a great deal. I try to avoid ultra processed foods as much as I can as they are so harmful to the body and mind, full of weird lab produced chemicals. This last one is hard as food companies really mess with our foods and most things in supermarkets are processed to some degree. 

I study quantum mechanics, and quantum physics, this was the only tool that got me out of depression, and saved me from suicide. Today keeps me conscious and structures my mental health to face and deal with this reality we live in today. I recommend it to everyone who is in limbo, or has been through it.

Knowledge is power and knowledge saves lives.

I really struggled with the lockdowns. I could work from home but the change in routine and not being able to see people in person took its toll. I have since been assessed for autism and am awaiting a formal diagnosis after the assessment showed a been high probability. I am in a better place now, I see people at least six days a week for exercise and socialising. Exercise definitely makes me better mentally and if there was another lockdown I would ask friends to come and see me,

Build a habit of doing the following regularly

1. Exercise, run, swim, walk, cycle, do yoga.... whatever
2. Learn new stuff, read, there are numerous free resources for learning new things, Duolingo for languages music and basic maths, Futurelearn for all sorts of interesting short courses...
3. Do something for others, volunteer somewhere. Giving your time and energy is much better (for you) than just doshing out spare change...
4. Maintain your relationships. Make that phone call, send an email or whatapp message... say hello to the local shop keepers, postman etc.
5. Be mindful of the world around you. Listen to the birds, notice the interesting design of plant leaves and flowers, think about the colours you see, the textures you touch, the sounds you hear.

What also affects mental health and wellbeing is severe stress. This happens in the form from ongoing antisocial behaivour. Such examples include on council estates, drivers with illegally modified car exhausts doing circuits around the roads several times. Others are hooting for no reason, by just sounding a car horn to upset and aggravate residents so they can cause their lives to be a total misery.

Something needs to be done about this by all the London councils. Boroughs like Redbridge and Havering are the worst, because they simply don't care. A solution is needed to tackle antisocial behaivour.

I have faced domestic violence not once, but twice in my life. These experiences have provided me with firsthand knowledge of the physical, emotional, and psychological toll it can take. I understand the immense courage it takes to seek help and the critical role charitable organizations play in providing support and empowerment. I did reach out using Citizen Advice Services, and I got help

As a survivor, I have also struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from these experiences. This has given me a deep empathy for individuals who grapple with the long-lasting effects of trauma and the importance of mental health support

The only issue is we need a lot of perseverance and now I lost my job and trying to get one is just so difficult as every rejection just depresses me further, after having high education and enormous experience - I feel I brought shame to my family

My go to de-stressing activity is a walk with music on or a bike ride, as these are both activities scientifically proven to lift your mood, relieve stress etc. However the key to good mental health varies per person and some activities work better for an individual than others do. 

I was diagnosed with G.A.D a few years ago and it had negative effects on my capabilities, but whatever condition you have it’s important to fully understand how your brain functions. 

Try finding 3 positive things about each day as this can help with anxiety and depression. Physical exercise can help as well and this is also good for dealing with stress. 

All if my friends and loved ones know I’m always open for a chat if they’re struggling to cope mentally and I always make sure they know this. 

Going for a walk to the park is one way to improve your mental health. 

One of the main contributors that can impact your mental health is stress. Your body is highly affected by lots of stress. Whilst you are zoning out and on a walk or cycling, you can be caught offguard by vehicles sounding their horn aggressively and for no reason at all. 

London is lawless at the moment and either the police, the council or both need to take action on those who are sounding their vehicle horn for no reason and issue an immediate penalty fine. This is not only antisocial behaivour, but is distressing to anyone else around as well as other road users. 

The Highway Code clearly states you cannot sound your vehicle horn unless it's in the event of another person or road user causing an accident. 

Vehicle owners should be prosecuted for noise and neighbourhood disturbances.

Severe noise has a huge impact on our daily lives. 

I love to swim and London does still have a lot of places to swim. I never regret time spent going swimming, I always leave happy. I joined a local tennis and bowls club years ago and these activities keep me physically fit and because I help to run the club and the club gardens, mentally active. Membership costs money but it's about £230 per year, so it works out cost per play is minimal over that year. We have social events too, quizzes, new year and joint birthday parties in our hall - I consider that I lucked out when I moved near the club, it's a big part of my life and what keeps me happy. It's owned and run by the members we keep costs as low as possible so we can be a community club. I learned to sing over many years, learning music and lyrics to the songs very old and some new really helps keep your mind sharp. I like visiting art galleries and appreciate that there is so much culture in London for a treat when I can afford it.  I'm currently working on a GLA Innovation project, Open London, we have an online community where we discuss Health, Social Care, Housing, Green Energy, Sustainability and Green Transport in London, to find out how innovation could help Londoners, it runs until 15th September 2023, please join us if you have anything to add. https://openlondon.crowdicity.com

Hmm....  The assumption here and everywhere, notably in funding and NHS and council community provision, is that there is no such thing as physical disability, only people's emotional discomfort exists. Despite the posts below, mentioning being unsafe on the street in a wheelchair, everyone is 100% physically fit.  Everyone can "go for a walk" and "go to see friends" and "go to arts and entertainments and museums" and "go and enjoy nature" 

Hi everyone, I am new here. I decided to check with the City Hall's website as a result of being ignored by my local council. I just came to a point to express my feelings. I do think being homeless or not knowing if you will be in a safe environment for long or not has a great impact on mental health. Pills are effective, therapy works, being social and having conversation with other people also a bonus, eating somehow helps, but without having a nice sleep everyday and not being able to have your own space(no matter how small or big) is the worst thing that can happen to someone who lives in London. Personally, I think my anxiety is being extremely increased by the life conditionals I am dealing with. Thanks for allowing me to express my thoughts here. 

Sleepless nights are being caused by neighbourhoods and disturbances from car noise in the form of excessive revving and hooting for no reason at all hours even at night. Why is there no law and order against this in deprived areas? This can affect anyone's wellbeing. Every London Council needs CCTV with actual enforcement, and stop any unbearable noise going on during working hours for those working from home and when sleeping at night.