by Joe Winfield

NewsFebruary 11, 20220 comments

The Importance of Reaching Out to Others

As an accessible centre that provides activity holidays for people with disabilities, we offer exciting adventure activities that help push individuals out of their comfort zone. We’ve seen first-hand how breaks away like this can boost a person’s confidence and self-esteem, no matter who they are or their circumstances.

Showing that everyone matters and should be able to experience all kinds of things is at the heart of what we do here at Calvert Exmoor. Whoever you are and whatever your ability, we believe it’s what you CAN do that counts.

We work hard to provide an environment of support and know how important it can be to reach out to others when you are struggling.

Checking in With Your Mental Health & Seeking Help

Over the past years, there has been a necessary and welcome surge in mental health support and awareness, making understanding your own mental health and recognising the signs you may need to seek help more accessible.

For many who struggle with mental health challenges, reaching out to seek others’ help is a turning point. Whether this means checking in with a family member, friend, medical professional or support line, this step is often one of the first steps to help you get to a better place.

However, knowing this doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to take those initial steps. If you are struggling yourself or want to support someone you love, there are numerous things you can embrace to make reaching out to others easier, helping to improve wellbeing and happiness.

The Benefits of Having a Reliable Social Support Network

Sometimes being on your own for a while is necessary as a bit of time to yourself can help you work through problems or uncertainties.

However, too much time on your own can become unhealthy, especially over prolonged periods. Humans are social beings, so it is important to have social networks we can trust and turn to when things become difficult.

A sympathetic ear or the presence of someone we can trust can help prevent, or at least ease, feelings of isolation, alienation and rumination.

Knowing you have a trustworthy network of people to turn to can:

• Improve your ability to deal with stress and anxious feelings
• Boost your self-esteem and social skills
• Improve overall health and wellbeing

Not Everyone Finds Talking Easy

For many, the idea of being honest about their feelings or asking for support makes them feel vulnerable, which dissuades them from confronting their difficulties.

While it can feel overwhelming to talk about your problems, it’s important to remember that those who you care about want to listen so they can help support you.

If you talk to someone about your feelings and they haven’t quite reacted the way you thought, this is also okay. We all have different life experiences, and just because a conversation hasn’t gone as you may have hoped doesn’t mean that someone else might not understand.

The person you’ve opened up to may feel unequipped to support you because of their own issues; this does not mean there aren’t other people you can turn to who will be able to help.

Strengthening Connections

If you feel like you don’t have friendships you can rely on, remember it is never too late to open yourself to new experiences, find friends and join new social networks. As life and our circumstances change, so too can our support networks.

Seeking out a local group that celebrates one of your interests or even going on an adventure holiday that can improve mental health can expose you to new people and give you the opportunity to make lifelong friends.

Bonding with like-minded people can also put you in touch with others who have shared similar experiences and can offer advice on how they would deal with a situation.

How to Reach Out to Someone Who is Struggling

If you know that a loved one isn’t quite themselves, sometimes giving them the space to reach out is required.

However, if your loved one hasn’t connected with you in some time, it may be time for you to open the conversation by letting them know you are around to listen without pushing the issue too much.

By opening the door to communication, you allow them to move at their own pace, ensuring they don’t feel ambushed or shamed.

Creating a Safe Space

If you want to offer support, creating a safe space where your loved one feels like they can explain their thoughts, feelings and worries is essential.

It is not your place to judge, only to show you care about their struggles and will do what you can to help, whether this means helping them seek professional support or just being a friendly face to chat to at the end of a hard day.

It’s Not All About Talking

As much as talking about our problems can offer relief, building healthy, supportive relationships relies on more than just having the tough conversations. Simply spending time with someone and taking part in activities together can be extremely beneficial.

This shows you are there for the good times and hard times, proving you to be a reliable presence in someone’s life and a friend they can lean on.

One of our goals at Calvert Exmoor is to bring people from all walks of life together to enjoy a range of fantastic accessible adventure activities in Devon. If this sounds like something you or a loved one would enjoy, get in touch today to find out more about the accessible holidays we offer.