By now, we’ve all heard about, and probably been affected by, the ‘cost-of-living’ crisis. And it seems to cover just about everything, from energy price increases, inflation affecting our mortgage rates, and everything going up in; rent, food, and petrol, no wonder millions of people are worried.
By now, we’ve all heard about, and probably been affected by, the ‘cost-of-living’ crisis. And it seems to cover just about everything, from energy price increases, inflation affecting our mortgage rates, and everything going up in; rent, food, and petrol, no wonder millions of people are worried.
The cost of living crisis is massively impacting people’s mental health across the country and within our industry. Some of the people that are suffering most are our young people in the industry, specifically apprentices, who are on the lowest wages and being hit really hard. Not only is it hitting them financially but emotionally as well and we have seen a big increase in these types of cases.
Whilst stress isn’t a mental health condition, the result of being highly stressed and worrying could be anxiety and depression. This is why it’s so important to take care of yourself and the people around you. Look out for any signs such as; low moods, lack of motivation, sense of hopelessness, feeling overwhelmed and panic attacks, these are all signs of anxiety and depression.
It’s important now more than ever that we look out for each other, so remember to ask ‘are you ok?’, then ask again. By simply talking to someone and asking, you are giving them an opportunity to open up about how they are feeling and sometimes simply talking to someone can make a big difference.
We all need to be kinder to ourselves and we have a few tips to help you with this:
- Focus on you: take time to do something you love, being out in nature and being healthy always has a positive impact on our minds and lift our moods. Try to avoid excessive alcohol or drug consumption, which are both depressants
- Talk to someone: whether that’s a loved one, a stranger in the street or a Charity like us, talking to someone will help you to feel lighter. You’ll probably find that lots of people are feeling the same, it’s not just you
- Minimise your screentime: try to put down your mobile phone at night, stay away from social media and be mindful that the news can often be negative.
- Act of kindness: try to complete an act of kindness and do some good. Perhaps you could volunteer at your local food bank, or bake a loved one a cake
- Get a good night’s sleep: don’t underestimate the importance of sleep. Lack of sleep can have a big impact, whether it’s your mood or eating more because your tired. Create a night-time routine, where you go to bed and get up at a set time, you’ll be amazed at the affect it has on your mind and body.
It’s so important that we take care of ourselves and talk to each other. At Electrical Industries Charity, we're here to listen. If you’re feeling like you need support, call our helpline: 0800 652 1618 or via our email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.