Can you feel that? Maybe it’s a tightness in your shoulders, or an ache in your chest. Stretching doesn’t always make it feel better, nor does deep breathing, at least not for very long. That weight has likely been there for a long time, months, or even years. There are times when you don’t notice it, or put it out of your mind, but often it feels like it is the only thing you can focus on. This weight can sometimes be labelled as stress or anxiety. It could also be grief. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes it, but not impossible. Many people just accept it as a part of their life, and try to make plans around it, which can be difficult. That weight you feel could make you isolate yourself, or act irrationally. If you feel this way, you are certainly not alone.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, about 1 in 5 people suffer from some type of mental disorder in Canada. That is a high number, but it likely doesn’t capture everyone feeling that low level weight right now. With the cost of living increasing, 24 hour news cycles continuing, and the pull of doomscrolling being ever more tempting, that weight is becoming increasingly harder to shake off. That doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t try.
One way to lighten this weight is to try counseling. Many report feeling lighter, even after their first session. It is as if by simply openly talking about what is on their mind, they can feel that weight start to lift, that tightness start to loosen up. It is easy to underestimate just how it feels to be in the presence of someone who is there to support and listen to what you have to say without judgment.
One of the barriers that people identify preventing them from seeking out support is that they feel like their issues are simply “not important enough” and that they don’t wish to “waste a counsellor’s time.” This could not be further from the truth. There is no such thing as an issue not being important enough to speak with a mental health professional about.
Counselling can help you alleviate some of that pressure that builds up from everyday stress. When each little event happens, it may not feel like much at the time, but as it builds, that weight can throw you off balance. A simple visual metaphor would be picturing yourself on a hike carrying a large backpack. When you start, it is empty and light, allowing you to walk briskly and easily. Along the path; however, stressors occur, each adding a rock into your backpack. Unpaid bill on its final notice? That’s a rock. Worry about job stability? Another rock. Frustrated that you fought with your partner before work this morning? Yet another rock. That weight starts to drag you down, slowing your pace and making each step more difficult. Think of a counsellor as someone who helps you remove each rock from your backpack, allowing you to walk a little lighter with each step.
We are all out here doing our best to ensure our own needs are being met, as well as others’ around us. Some days are tougher than others, but it helps to remind yourself you don’t have to do it alone. If you find yourself struggling with too many rocks in your backpack, reach out to Walmsley EFAP. We can connect you with a counsellor to help lighten that load.