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WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Mental Health For All
By Nicole Gallacher
Looking good on the outside doesn’t count for much if you’re not feeling good on the inside. Sometimes we need a reminder of that. We know working through mental health issues can feel like a heavy and often private experience - in lockdown, even more so. Good mental wellbeing doesn’t mean you’re always happy or unaffected by your experiences. But poor mental wellbeing can make it more difficult to cope with daily life. It’s a universal comfort knowing that you’re not alone, on your good days, darker days and on #WorldMentalHealthDay too. Following the guidance of Mind Charity, we’re sharing the One Thing you can do to show support for better mental health for all.
A Problem Halved is a Problem Solved
Open up to a friend
Talking can be a way to cope with a problem you’ve been carrying around in your head for a while. Just being listened to can help you feel supported and less alone. And it works both ways. If you open up, it might encourage others to do the same. It’s not always easy to describe how you’re feeling. If you can’t think of one word, use lots. What does it feel like inside your head? What does it make you feel like doing?
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Move your Body
Keep Active
Experts believe exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep and feel better.
Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and feel better. Exercise keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy, and is also a significant benefit towards improving your mental health.
Overcome Barriers
Attending a female-only exercise class or a ladies-only swimming session may help to overcome anxiety as a barrier to initially starting to exercise
Partner Up
Exercising with a companion can also help to reduce anxiety about how your body looks to others, and may be particularly helpful during the first few exercise sessions. Plenty of gyms in the UK offer guest passes when you introduce a friend, it's also a great way of finding the best studio for you
Prioritise
Make time and find balance by adding exercise into your schedule. What time do you have available for exercise? Prioritise your wellbeing and if you're having trouble getting started, look as exercise a chance to zone in and zone out. Start small, with a walk around the block and add on as you go
Goals
We all have different reasons for why we work out, for some it's 30 minutes to yourself others it's running accomplishments or a habitual class that puts the mind at ease. Start with simple goals within arms reach. Celebrate your achievement, no matter how small and as you feeling stronger increase your goals
Lean On Me
Care for others
Caring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together. I also believe when you're feeling down unexpectedly, it might mean you miss someone. Reach out to the ones that pick you up, inspire you and make you laugh and play. If you're feeling a little more lonely, why not compliment a stranger? Whether it's their dog they are walking, a nice coat or their non disposable face mask, everyone loves receiving a compliment and you might even make their day
Take a break
Your biggest commitment must always be yourself
Achange of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work, or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you. Give yourself some ‘me time’
Lastly, we recommend if you are suffering from your Mental Health or want to learn how to help someone else, to seek support and advice from these supported services.
CALM
Anxiety UK
Mind
Samaritans
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