In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, we have put together a wellness guide to remind you of some easy ways to unwind and de-stress. There’s no better time to start a conversation surrounding mental health and what we can do to prevent mental health issues.
Mental wellbeing looks different for everyone and doesn’t have a set meaning. Having good wellbeing doesn’t mean you’re always happy and it also doesn’t mean you’re free of a mental health problem, but poor mental wellbeing can make it more difficult to cope with daily life. This is why it’s important to practice a form of mental wellbeing that’s right for you – whether you’re struggling or not.
The first step is to make time for something you enjoy. Not sure where to start? We have created a list of activities that are good for the soul below! At first only try what feels comfortable for you, there’s always time to branch out in the future. You might even find a new hobby with time!
A Walk in Nature
Breathe in the fresh air and feel the sun on your face with a walk outside. Walking in nature has a plethora of benefits – both mental and physical. It’s been proven to reduce stress, improve mood and enhance cognitive function! Tick, tick, tick! Exposure to green spaces can also lower blood pressure, improve mood and increase endorphins which help lower anxiety and improve focus.
When we say a walk in ‘nature’, we pretty much just mean outside. There’s no need to tackle Ben Nevis just yet! Your local park is more than enough to get the goodness going, even a walk around the houses where you live will have the same (or very similar) benefits.
Social Connection
Meeting up with friends/ family does wonders for your wellbeing. It can be so easy to isolate when feeling low, or to not make time for others when busy, but spending time with those you love can really lift your mood and contribute to your overall wellbeing – whether you’re struggling or not. There’s no need for elaborate plans, even if you just enjoy a cup of tea together with a good movie on, you’ll soon feel the serotonin.
Maintaining a support network is healthy for both parties in a friendship and having someone to lean on or vent to is essential in preventing bottled up feelings or emotions. Talking things through is so important and meeting up with friends is always fun.
There are lots of ways to make new friends too! Joining groups and organisations is a great way to start. A common interest builds a sense of community and makes it easier to establish a connection.
Learn Something New
Learning something new has multiple benefits, one of them being keeping the mind healthy and engaged in something you’re interested in. It exercises the brain and naturally evokes a sense of accomplishment, building confidence and potentially connecting you to new people. It doesn’t need to be anything extreme – start small with something you can do at home or join a club. We’d always recommend something creative -like pottery painting or flower arranging.
Acts Of Kindness
Whether you decide to pay for a stranger’s order at a coffee shop, strike up a conversation with a senior citizen or help someone pick up their change after they’ve dropped it – acts of kindness don’t only benefit the person you’re helping, but you too. Proven to trigger dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin in the brain, doing a good deed can improve mood, reduce stress and contribute to a greater sense of well-being. Being kind also strengthens connections with others and can be the foundation to form friendships with others. It also encourages more kindness which can create a cycle of positivity!
Selfcare
Selfcare can mean a plethora of different things but in this sense, we mean it literally. Physically taking care of yourself is key to looking after yourself in every sense – whether that be going to the gym, creating a skincare routine or getting your nails done. Selfcare reduces stress, boosts mood and increases resilience leading to a more balanced life. Prioritising selfcare not only improves mental health but enhances relationships too and can increase your ability to cope with challenges. It can also create routine and can be a constant you look forward to every day, preventing burnout.
If you have a self-care routine in place already and are looking to treat yourself, book a spa day or cooking class to escape reality for the day and relax.
Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness focuses on the present moment and taking your mind away from other thoughts. It’s a great way to find peace when life gets busy and stressful. There are multiple ways to practice mindfulness and often take time and research to find the right method for you. The most common practices include meditation, journaling and breath work and are all fantastic for emotional regulation and positive thinking which eventually leads to a greater sense of self, calm and control.
Seeking Support
If you feel as though you are struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, please seek professional support from a GP. Receiving the correct help/ treatment is important and something to be taken seriously. There are also a range of charities that can provide support after visiting your GP such as:
Mind: 0300 102 1234 supporterrelations@mind.org.uk
Shout: Text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258
Samaritans: 116123 jo@samaritans.org
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