Living with Loneliness 

 

Did you know it’s Mental Health Awareness Week from Monday 9th-Sunday 15th May 2022? This year’s theme is loneliness, a prominent issue that is unsettling to our human species. Due to the Covid 19 epidemic there has been a devastating impact on people’s sense of loneliness due to the inability to socially interact and the feelings of total isolation incurred during the months of government lockdowns.  

Anxiety is at a record high with many school children afraid to return to school and other elderly sufferers who can no longer leave the house alone. Records show that there has never been such an influx of new cases and something needs to be done, soon.  

Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and has had a huge impact on our physical and mental health during the pandemic.  That is why we have chosen it as our theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022.  Our connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting our mental health so we must find better ways of tackling the epidemic of loneliness. We can all play a part in this. The week is also an invaluable opportunity for people to talk about all aspects of mental health, with a focus on providing help and advice.” 

 

This year the week’s events will explore the experience of being alone and try to reduce its impact on individuals and the community. Healthy minds make healthy communities. 

 

A friendly face

 

For those of us that have family or friends in similar circumstances, we know the difference a visit, shopping trip or day out can make to the mood of sufferers. Even a phone call or text message makes them feel involved, less alone and part of a community or family. Such a visit or outing may not mean that much to us, but honestly, it’s a big deal to them. 

Sometimes the simplest gesture, friendly smile or word of greeting is all it takes to burn through the darkness, even if only momentarily, being that beacon of light can break the chains to a more serious condition. You can be that circuit breaker.  

Try saying “Hi” to your neighbours, smile at faces you’ve seen before on your street, even offer to help with shopping or gardening for the less mobile or confident of your local residents. Every little really does help. 

We want to help 

We are encouraging our customers to reach out to someone who may be feeling lonely or forgotten, by sending them our Rose and Iris bouquet. We understand the amazing affects flowers can have on people, how they trigger the senses and can promote a mental state of well-being. Besides that, this simple gesture could be hugely significant, in some cases, a lifeline. Roses are a symbol of friendship, Irises a symbol for hope. No one deserves to feel lonely, so here’s the chance to do your bit. We are donating 20% of the sales from our Rose and Iris bouquet to the Mental Health Foundation.   

 

 

A worthy cause

The Mental Health Foundation is a charity organisation dedicated to fundraising, raising awareness and setting out informative guidance for the millions of us who will experience a mental health struggle at some point during our life. Their aim is to prevent problems before they emerge, provide support to those experiencing problems, and those around them. Their work is based upon vital research and practical based study, with a goal to share their knowledge with communities as a matter of public health. There are many ways in which you can contribute to spreading awareness, be it 80 miles in May, or a school fundraiser; click here to find out more.  

Time for a check-in 

With today’s hectic lifestyles and non-stop schedules, it’s easy to carry on business-as-usual, without thinking to check in with ourselves. Too often we can be consumed by worry for others, putting our own mental health on the back burner. Take time out every now and then to stop and smell the roses, take a stroll in the park, flop on the sofa with a good book and listen to some soothing tunes. If you were to incur a physical injury, you might seek treatment, go to the doctor, stick on a plaster, or get some stitches... so why do we not use the same principles when it comes to our mental health? Sometimes taking a timeout for yourself to just breathe, could be the very ‘plaster’ your brain needs.  

A friend in need 

 

Here at Flower Shops Network we may only sell flowers, but we honestly do care about each one of you. If you or anyone you know may be in a dark spot at the moment, please look at some good advice from The Mental Health Awareness Foundation here on how to overcome those moments of doubt. Remember, you are not alone.