Listening to the news over the past few weeks I’ve felt relief and sadness in equal measures.

I’m relieved that, finally it seems, mental health problems are starting to get some long overdue recognition.

The feeling of sadness comes from thinking about the frightening proportion of us who are suffering or have suffered an episode of poor mental health.

Is it any wonder that, in this fast paced life where most us feel like we are simply treading water rather than achieving goals or having the time to notice milestones in the workplace or personally, that it can seem impossible to find the head space to think.

I remember well the day I suffered my “sensory overload”, driving and talking on hands-free at the same time; pulling over to check my emails and send some texts; coming home to watch television whilst sending more emails; becoming more and more agitated by the constant ping of notifications coming through and distracting me from my tasks.

Everything felt so urgent. I was angry. My shoulders and neck felt like rocks. I had a solid feeling in my head and an electric ringing in my ears. I needed to STOP. I am aware that my description makes me sound like I’d turned into Metal Mickey. What I do know is that I most certainly wasn’t myself.

I commonly see in my clients, people faced with coping with information on a 24/7 basis when our minds simply don’t have the capacity to deal with it.

When we see something be it intentionally or not, sometimes we do not even recognise that we have seen it, but our subconscious mind has processed it without us even knowing. It’s no wonder we short circuit and manifest symptoms showing us something is wrong.

Do we need more space in there to file information? No.

Do we need to recognise our need for real space away from screens, phones, noise and exposure to wind down - absolutely.

Remember 90% of our natural way of communication is non-verbal. So is it any wonder we second guess what that text message meant or if someone was miffed in their email?

We are quick to install the latest IOS updates on our smart phones, back up our computer or sync our fitbits. But when do we take the time to overhaul our minds, filter the trash and spam in our heads. We need to store what we need and which is useful and positive and delete the rest.

So what can we do?

  1. Go old school. Allow clocks in bedrooms and mobiles stay out.
  2. Commit to having at least 3 hours a day away from screens – all screens even your IPhone
  3. Exercising four times a week not only reduces stress, but provides interaction on a social level.
  4. Do something you used to love doing. Maybe writing a letter or drawing or just reading a book?
  5. Take time to see friends. Talking and laughing soothes the soul.
  6. Go to bed 30 minutes early and spend time just being quiet noticing your thoughts and practicing the art of guilt-free relaxation.