Though not necessarily brave, I’ve always considered myself an adventurer at heart. Maybe a bit daft, even. In my work as a mental health first aid instructor and a private practice consultant, I see people who grapple with social anxiety, stress, and depression.
I often preach the gospel of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. But hey, it’s easier said than done, right?
Inspired by our ancestors who braved saber-tooth tigers and trekked miles for food, I took the plunge for the Mental Health Foundation. But this leap was more than just a tick off my bucket list; it was deeply personal. Last year, I had a pituitary tumour removed. That intense experience made me reevaluate my priorities; ever since then, self-care has been at the top of my list.
Now, back to the plane. My instructor, Josh, was a pro. His pre-jump brief was as exciting as listening to a speech by Rishi Sunak, which oddly calmed my nerves. “Place your hands across your chest, wrap your legs around the underside of the plane, and head back,” he advised as if telling me how to tie my shoes.
The plane taxied down a short runway under a cloudless sky. Perfect weather—unlike the cancelled jump a few weeks prior due to bad visibility. We reached an altitude of 14,000ft, and I found myself afloat among skydiving aficionados and charity-driven daredevils like myself.
Josh handed me goggles so tight they made me look like a cartoon character whose eyes might pop out at any moment. Then, the plane’s door opened, and for a fleeting moment, I imagined myself getting sucked out like in a bad action movie.
One by one, people took their leaps. I mimicked a mantra in my head, “Hands across the chest, feet under the plane, head up, wait for the tap, then Superman.” Finally, it was my turn.
As I inched closer to the edge, my brain screamed, “What the bleep are you doing, Mike?!” But before I could complete that thought, gravity took over. I was tumbling through the air, screaming, but also oddly liberated.
Josh gave me the much-anticipated tap. I thrust my arms forward, miming Superman, grinning like a madman. And just like that, the sheer terror transformed into an adrenaline-fueled euphoria.
As we descended, Josh handed me the parachute controls. “What happens if you let go?” a devilish voice in my head wondered. Ignoring it, I swivelled left and right, marvelling at the beauty below.
Eventually, Josh guided us toward the landing zone. “Legs to the chest, then out in front,” he instructed. And we landed like pros—or rather, he did; I was just along for the ride.
“What was it like?” the cameraman asked. “Absolutely insane!” I blurted out, my heart still racing.
This was not just a thrill-seeker’s dream but a defining moment that combined personal growth, healing, and advocacy for a cause I deeply believe in mental health. Skydiving was a literal and metaphorical fall into a new understanding of life and resilience, a perfect symbol of my journey from a patient to the pinnacle of self-care.
Thanks to this experience, I’m even more committed to championing mental health. I took a leap for myself and everyone who has been where I was. So, let’s soar to new heights together in our collective fight for better mental health.
Would you like to help, too? Please spread the word, donate, and let’s make a difference. Because sometimes, a leap of faith is what it takes to move mountains.
One of the major reasons for this mental health crisis is the financial strain many people face. With the cost of living increasing and energy prices rising, many people are using their savings and taking out loans to make ends meet.
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“At the age of fifty-two, you imagine you’ve got most things about life and relationships sorted out. But sometimes.. stuff happens that knocks your heart, soul and spirit about. When this happened to me, I am eternally grateful that it felt right to trust Mike to be able to share what was going on. His extensive experience, balanced blend of coaching and counselling, sensitive listening and varied techniques truly helped me process my feelings and in turn, regain my natural happiness. Thanks Mike.”
It’s Christmas! Time off work. Presents to buy. Drinking and eating more than you would normally. Visiting friends, family and loved ones (social distancing regulations allowing). It’s the season of goodwill, cheer, and demanding work priorities.
The festive break is almost upon us and the countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun. If you’re like me, you may be thinking, “How will I get everything done?” Christmas brings its challenges—particularly this year, with the ever-changing rules around social distancing and who you can have in your bubble. It’s certainly a period of time that many people can find quite stressful.
Arguably one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year can be the run-up to the festive break, as you race to clear the workload on your desk and meet your boss’s deadlines. Don’t be afraid to seek help and be realistic with what you’re capable of producing.
If you don’t have an exercise routine in place, try not to overindulge on unhealthy food or drink. It’s vital to use your holiday to relax and unwind, but trying to stay active should make returning to work less of a worry.
Imagine, we bring in the dawn of a new decade in January 2020, you make your New Years’ resolution, set goals such as lose weight, stop smoking, save money, find new love, or seek a new career.
Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, many UK employees are now working from home for the foreseeable future. This will be the first experience for a huge amount of companies and employees.
It’s Christmas! Time off work. Presents to buy. Drinking and eating more than you would regularly and visiting friends, family, loved ones. The season of goodwill, cheer and demanding work priorities go on the back burner in favour Christmas merriments.
How many times during a week have you found yourself saying, “I’m fine” to a colleague or friend when in fact you don’t really mean it?
The phrase ‘burnout’ describes the collection of signs and symptoms, both psychological and physical, experienced by people due to their profession.
