Mental Health Awareness Week (15th – 21st May 2023) is an opportunity for each of us to focus on enhancing our wellbeing. To honour the importance of mental health awareness, we are exploring a series of simple, yet 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 the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 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 – whatever it may be, we could all benefit from a few tips to elevate the mood. Simply discussing the wellbeing of your mind is also conducive to destigmatising the anxieties that many of us experience daily.
Additionally, we’re thrilled to tell you that Mission C is offering a FREE tub of calming CBD gummies with every order over £30 during Mental Health Awareness Week, as we endeavour to support the notion that wellness comes first. Studies show that CBD can make a considerable difference to one’s mental wellbeing, so if you need any encouragement in finding your zen, be sure to check out our recommended CBD products below.
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
Mental Health Awareness Week occurs annually in May to encourage UK citizens 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 2022 being ‘loneliness’.
Anxiety and Depression in the UK
Government studies show that 27.1% of UK adults reported a ‘clinically significant level of psychological distress’ in January 2021 and a deterioration in the mental wellbeing of the population occurred during the Christmas period of 2021. Mental health disorders are common in the UK, with the charity Mind reporting that 1 in 6 people experience a common mental wellbeing issue such as depression or anxiety every week in England. Additionally, 26% of women aged 16-24 years old report experiencing a mental wellness problem in any given week in the UK.
The figures are worrying, especially as they are on the increase. The good news is, we are talking about mental wellbeing more than ever. Mental health issues affect many of us at some stage of our lives and there has never been a better time to consider putting your mental wellness first.
Tips to Help Boost Mental Wellness
Reflect on Your Feelings
If there has been a positive to take from the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the chance to slow down and reflect on how we truly feel and what actually makes us happy. As life begins to hasten again - with the return of social events and commuting to work, for instance – it’s only natural to fall back into old habits. 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 the woods, reconnecting with the great outdoors can provide a huge boost to mental wellbeing.
Invite Nature Indoors
If you can’t get outside, bring nature to you. Plants and flowers inside the house and office don’t just look beautiful, according to research, they can reduce levels of stress and anxiety whilst boosting focus.
Connect With People
Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 focuses on loneliness and it’s always important to recognise that social connection is fundamental to well-being, both mentally and physically. A sense of connection to others starts with taking care of oneself. 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, or head down to the Feel Good Club – a charming Manchester coffee house, brunch and bar on a mission to spread happiness.
Get Moving
It’s no secret that regular exercise is a mood-booster. But when we’re feeling low, we often lack energy and the motivation to get moving. Try to find something that you enjoy, which you are more likely to stick to. Exercise boosts serotonin – the ‘happy hormone’ which keeps you feeling positive and content. Furthermore, getting exercise can be a great opportunity to connect with others – participating in group gym classes, for instance, or signing up for a free 5K run with your local Parkrun.
Find Breathing Techniques
Focusing on your breath can be an incredibly effective way to improve your well-being. 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
Communicating with others is crucial for good mental health. This could be talking through your feelings and emotions with friends or relatives or seeking support from a professional. Check out organisations such as Self Space which are paving the way 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
The act of helping others triggers chemical changes in the brain and promotes feelings of happiness. Furthermore, altruism can enhance 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.
The Increasing Popularity of CBD for Mental Wellbeing
The cannabis plant has been used as a medicinal treatment for a range of ailments for thousands of years. CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound extracted from hemp (a plant which is part of the cannabis family) that has been shown to have a remarkable effect on calming symptoms of anxiety and improving mood. CBD promotes the production of serotonin, the chemical that contributes to wellbeing. It is also a powerful anti-inflammatory which helps to ease pain and helps you obtain a good night’s sleep.
Thanks to the potency of cannabidiol, the UK CBD industry has risen steadily in recent years as more people turn to the cannabis compound for help with anxiety, stress, depression, sleep and pain.
Recommended CBD Products for Optimal Mental Wellness
Owing to a passion for CBD and wellness, Mission C has developed three ranges of premium CBD products to support wellbeing. Check out our recommended products for Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, and with free CBD gummies with every order over £30, there’s no better time to benefit from a daily dose of premium CBD!
Supreme Wellbeing
Our wellbeing range has been developed to promote good mental and physical wellness. Treat a loved one – or yourself - to the Mind Gift Set, containing Day + CBD Oil, Night + CBD Oil and Multivitamin + CBD Gummies to help you feel your best during the day and sleep soundly at night.
Manage stress and anxiety levels during the day, then unwind and prepare for the perfect slumber at night with Day & Night + CBD Bundle.
Fitness for Feeling Fine
Our fitness products are designed to support your exercise routine, which boosts serotonin and leaves you feeling energised, motivated and calm. Try Pre-Workout CBD Balm to warm up your muscles, reduce inflammation and help you achieve your best performance yet.
Shop Pre-Workout + CBD Heating Muscle Balm
Skincare is Self-Care
Is there a greater mood-enhancer than flawless skin? Feel fresh, confident and ready to take on anything with a glowing complexion, thanks to Anti-Oxidant CBD Moisturiser. This luxurious formulation is deeply hydrating, nourishing and protects skin from those pesky, harmful free radicals that are skin is exposed to daily.
