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How to be okay when you're not: A hypnotherapist’s perspective

How to be okay when you're not: A hypnotherapist’s perspective

Diana Alghoul is Muslim Aid’s Communications and PR Manager and is also a trained hypnotherapist and mental health first aider.

This post is in honour of World Mental Health day.

Mental health in the Muslim community is a notoriously under-discussed topic, but we are slowly becoming more open about understanding our mental wellbeing, especially over the last year after collectively being affected by the suffering of our brothers and sisters worldwide.

The relentless attack on Palestine’s Gaza, which has now spilled into Lebanon, the conflicts in Sudan and Congo and natural disasters across the world have not been easy to look at. But while people think our mental health is only getting worse because of these situations, in many cases, the current climate is worsening issues that people were already dealing with in silence.

Personal matters become a lot easier to talk about when they merge with the collective; when we see people talk about how current affairs are affecting their mental health, they are reaching out behind a glass door. For those who are ready, this acceptance means it’s easier to make sense of your underlying mental health; but for those who aren’t ready, this means it’s harder to suppress your mental health concerns.

So, when you hear people say the news is making them depressed, or anxious, or fueling their rage, it’s always good to check in and ask if they had been feeling like this even before this period of collective pain. They may open up, or you might hear a:

“Well, kind of... but did you see what happened to those children yesterday?”

Don’t try to psychoanalyse. Just listen and encourage them to sit with their feelings to allow their emotions to process.

There are many ways to process your emotions and enhance your wellbeing:

  • Breath-work
    Breathing is more than just a process to keep us alive, it’s a function of our innate life-force energy. Deep, intentional breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation. It enhances oxygen flow, improving energy levels, focus, and mental clarity. On a deeper level, breath-work is known as being the bridge between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind, because it helps release stored emotional tension and can aid in healing trauma. Spiritually, it connects individuals to a sense of inner peace and mindfulness, making it a powerful tool for holistic wellness.
  • Meditation
    A controversial topic for some, but meditation is what you make of it. Practicing mindfulness in silence and allowing your thoughts to pass through is all there is to it. You don’t have to sit still and force yourself not to think, you focus on something deeper than your thoughts (often it’s your heart centre, or your breath) as you let your thoughts pass. Slowly, you realise those thoughts become quieter and you’re more grounded.
  • Community
    Being around others is crucial for mental health because it provides emotional support, reduces feelings of isolation, and fosters a sense of belonging. A strong social network promotes resilience, offering diverse perspectives and solutions during difficult times and can help reduce symptoms of poor mental health. The healing you can get after lighting a scented candle and having a night in with your friends and family is irreplicatable.
  • Journaling
    Journaling is important because it provides a structured way to reflect on thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It enhances self-awareness and gives you an outlet to write your heart out and let it all go.
  • Movement
    Your emotions are simply ‘energy in motion’, meaning when they are trapped in your body, you need to physically move them out of your system. Exercise influences hormone regulation and neurochemical balance. Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and serotonin, known to enhance feelings of well-being. Exercise also reduces cortisol levels, mitigating stress. Additionally, movement is a safe way to increase levels of dopamine, contributing to feelings of motivation and pleasure.
  • Prayer
    Need I say more? We aren’t meant to do life alone and connecting to the One is an outlet to being the most vulnerable. Allah knows you more than you know yourself, so take solace and pray your heart out. Pray with passion, conviction and consciousness of being His servant.

Times may seem hard, but we don’t need to suffer in silence. You may not be your feelings, but that doesn’t mean your feelings aren’t valid and need to be addressed.

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