Coping with stress if your parent has a mental illness
Our advice on coping strategies for stress, from staying active to keeping up your hobbies.
When you have a parent with a mental illness it can be very stressful. This means finding time to do things you enjoy is even more important. Whatever makes you feel happy and relaxed, try to do it regularly and not just when things get difficult.
Don't forget your hobbies
From homework, to looking after a parent, it can often seem difficult to find opportunities to do things that you enjoy. However, keeping up hobbies, finding time for play and just having fun, is a great way to take a break from the stress of looking after a parent who has an illness.
Hobbies can be as simple as reading a book, getting involved in sports, or getting creative. Whatever helps you to lose yourself in the activity will help to keep your spirits up and enable you to develop a level of resilience that will help you overcome obstacles in the long run.
Make a habit of creating time and space for yourself, and try not to feel guilty about doing things that are just for fun.
Exercise can help you to feel stronger
Exercise it a great way to blow off steam. It’s been scientifically proven that exercise can help to lift your mood and increase your self-esteem. Just 10-20 minutes a day will improve wellbeing and help to protect your mind. Fitness coach Joe Wicks MBE, also known as The Body Coach, worked with our Time to help raise awareness of the benefits of exercise on looking after your mind. Listen to Joe's recording for our podcast My Family, Mental Health...and Me or revisit our Move For Your Mood exercise programme.
Check out Mind’s advice on Boosting Your Mental Health by Moving More.
Try breathing exercises
If you’re finding it hard to relax, mindfulness and breathing exercises can help you to feel more in control of your thoughts and feelings. Taking slow, deep breaths, taking on one task at a time, and being kind to your own mind can help you to feel calmer.
Take a look at Childline’s Calm Zone, for breathing and calming exercises.
Keep up your friendships
Life at home may be so difficult that you stop seeing your friends, and you might not want people to come round, but it’s a good idea to try to stay connected with others. You could even think about ways to catch-up with friends and stay active. See if there are any clubs or activities in your local area that you can join.
Whatever makes you feel happy and relaxed, try to do it regularly and not just when things get difficult. Even if there’s nobody to remind you to look after yourself or keep up your hobbies, it’s important to realise that these things are all important for your own health.
If you’re looking for ideas, why not start with reading stories of other young people on our Blog, or listen to our Podcast.
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