Mental Health Awareness Week
By Danielle
In May we have Mental Health Awareness Week, 13th – 19th. We believe this a great opportunity for each of us to focus on enhancing our wellbeing.
We want to share some effective ways in which all of us can boost our mental wellbeing and support others in looking after their mental wellness too.
Perhaps you are feeling the pressures of work/life balance, struggling with any number of things in life that can emotionally impact us. You simply want to feel your best or maybe you’d like to reach out to a friend who seems like they could use some support. First and foremost, this is completely normal. Whatever it may be, we could all benefit from a few tips to elevate the mood.
Simply discussing the wellbeing of your mind can be one of the first steps in deal with any anxieties that many of us experience daily.
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
Mental Health Awareness Week occurs annually in May to encourage everyone to concentrate on improving their mental health. The event is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation and began in 2001; it has now become one of the most recognised awareness weeks in the UK.
A different theme is implemented each year for Mental Health Awareness Week with the theme for 2024 being ‘movement.
Tips to Help Boost Mental Wellness
Reflect on Your Feelings
Taking the chance to slow down and reflect on how we truly feel and what truly makes us happy. Life can be really fast paced, it’s easy to everything things to complete overwhelm us.
Taking some time to focus on your feelings can make a huge difference to your mental wellbeing; for instance, writing a mood journal may help you recognise triggers, identify negative thought patterns, and learn to manage them better, whilst encouraging you to celebrate your accomplishments and engage in more positive self-talk.
Connect With Nature
Never underestimate the power of nature. Getting outdoors can have a powerful impact on mood and wellness. Be it a cup of tea in the garden, a lunchtime stroll or a long walk through in a park, reconnecting with the great outdoors can provide a huge boost to mental wellbeing.
"Moving more can increase your energy, reduce stress and anxiety, and boost your self-esteem."
With Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 being centred around movement, we want to be as encouraging as we can to motivate everyone around us to enjoy what the outside world has to offer.
Connect With People
Social connections and interactions can bring positive feelings, both mentally and physically. A sense of connection to others starts with taking care of you.
Stress and anxiety are linked to self-focus and therefore a weaker connection with others. If you are calmer and happier on the inside, you are more likely to feel a sense of connection with others. Grabbing a coffee with friends can be a great way to lift the mood.
We totally understand that social setting might not be for everyone, so the alternative can be reaching out online here, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) have a great webchat service to help everyone be able to connect with someone.
Find Breathing Techniques
Focusing on your breath can be an incredibly effective way to bring and maintain calm. This could be through meditation or simply grabbing a few moments during the day to take deep breaths and find your calm.
There are apps available that can help you with breathwork techniques if you require some guidance (meditation takes practise!); popular apps include Calm and Headspace.
Reach Out For Support
Knowing when with reach out for help can be tough. It can be easier to keep things bottled inside, however this is counterproductive to your overall wellbeing.
Talking through your feelings and emotions with friends or relatives or seeking support from a professional can make a huge difference in overcoming any of life’s challenges.
Check out organisations such as Self Space for easy, fast access to qualified therapist support. Simply book a face-to-face therapist session – or virtual session – and choose a date and time that suits you, to chat to a qualified person about anything that’s on your mind. We’re confident you’ll feel better afterwards.
Help Others
If you’re in a good place, there’s no harm in checking in on others. And leaving your door open for them to come to you if they ever need to. The act of helping others triggers chemical changes in the brain and promotes feelings of happiness.
Furthermore, enhancing our support network and in turn, benefit our self-esteem. Consider a random act of kindness, volunteering for a charity close to your heart or raising money for a great cause.
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