Flexing your focus by Laura Anderson

Our third staff blog for Mental Health Awareness Week comes from Communications Team member Laura Anderson, who looks at how she adopted a healthier approach to life with a new diet, new activities and a new mental outlook that helped her beat off a period of serious illness.

In October 2015, I became seriously ill with particularly harsh strain of viral meningitis and a bout of shingles thrown in for good measure.

Physically, it was the most demanding experience I’ve been through yet. I lost nearly two stone in six days, endured migraines and vomiting non-stop for a week and could barely speak or lift my head off the pillow, even whilst being hospitalised and receiving treatment. The length of time it took to recover came as a real shock - becoming exhausted from the slightest endeavour. My immune system took a beating and my usual exercise was out of the question for a long time.  Whilst all of this was difficult to accept, somehow from a mental point of view it felt worse.  I recall a handful of people around the time that I returned home telling me that it would take a long time to fully heal. Most were referring to the physical incline which was hard to disagree with, but whenever I felt they were implying something that wandered into mental or emotional territory, my natural positivity (and perhaps a degree of naivety) kicked in – and I would smile politely.

I rushed straight back into things personally and professionally as soon as I could get back on my feet and when both swiftly hit a wall, I crashed and burned.

Internally, I felt like going into hiding and not coming out until it was a different world outside. Something which (thankfully) didn’t happen, as I’ve learnt the further you let yourself slip back the longer the journey is to get to where you need to be.  But still, it wasn’t an easy time and I misplaced my ability to cope with the smallest of things. I was incredibly unsure of myself, immensely vulnerable on every level and felt threatened - by what I still have no clue – but spent those first few months trying to hold it together.

Eventually, I began to understand what people mean what they say that laughter gets you through. I surrounded myself with people who didn’t expect me to put on a show for them, people who let me talk, let me vent, let me cry, let me be positive and then let me drop it. I learnt that it’s ok to lean on your relationships for support. For the longest time I felt that being 100% self-sufficient was the approval stamp of somebody who’s doing well and that anything else was a step backwards – but actually, it’s an act of strength to let in the support of people who want to give it at a time when you need it most.

I trained my mind to block out anything that didn’t serve and zeroed in on the things and people that uplifted and healed. I flexed my focus and realised that this was a decision that I could make every single moment.  

I took it day by day and made room for the things that added value. For me that meant meditating every day, introducing yoga almost every day of the week, getting outdoors for long walks even when it was freezing and revamping my diet – I cut out anything that zapped my energy - namely refined sugar and heavy carbs - making room for a more colourful, plant-based/veggie diet that boosted my mood and energy levels. I adopted the mantra fake it until you make it and focussed on staying active in whichever way I could - and it worked. I got my peace of mind back, the vulnerability is long-gone and I’m a whole lot fitter, healthier and happier than before it started.   

I’ve since chosen to take action and actively participate with my life – as opposed to watching from the side-lines and chipping in with the odd comment. I’m taking steps in the directions I’ve always wanted to go and door after door keeps opening. I’ve also started trying different classes and I’m enjoying the variety, particularly Kung-Fu - which has not only taken my fitness to a whole new level but has helped with my confidence in breaking through comfort zones.  The saying goes you get out of life what you put in and it’s true, you do, but actually I’ve discovered that if you’re willing to try new things and not always looking for the golden reward then you regularly get out even more than you could have ever imagined and often from the directions you least expected.

Inspired by any of our stories during mental health week, then why not find a new activity to get you more active?  BBC Get Inspired have a great A to Z of ideas right here http://bbc.in/1Mbl4IM