Featured Article
The Importance of Caring for Our Mental Health
Written by Leigh Spencer, Improving Lives Volunteer and Mental Health Advocate
Taking care of our mental health benefits both us and those who we’re around. This can be whether we’re at home, at work, studying, or volunteering. Our mental health plays a vital part in how we behave, how we feel, how we handle stress, how we make decisions, how we respond to those around us and how we think. If we’re mentally healthy we can be more effective and productive in all areas of our lives. It also allows us to adapt to changes and handle adversity and over a period of time lessen our risk of physical health problems.
Looking after our mental health needn’t be complicated or expensive and can be combined with taking time to practice self-care. Here are some suggestions:
Exercise
This could be a short walk, doing yoga, or putting on some music to dance too. Even a small amount of exercise each day is good for us. The important thing is for it to be enjoyable.
Diet
Have a balanced diet and stay hydrated as this can improve your energy levels and help you focus all through the day. You could also see how much caffeine and alcohol you consume and if they affect your mood and overall all wellbeing. For some people, decreasing their caffeine and alcohol consumption can be beneficial.
Online
Try not to compare yourself to others or read too many news stories that are negative. Unplug from social media on your computer and on your phone for an hour or so each day and don’t feel you have to respond to every message instantaneously.Sleep
Prioritise sleep, set up a schedule so that you are making sure you’re getting enough sleep. If possible, don't have devices such as mobile phones and computers in the bedroom. If you do, you might be tempted to check them during the night and the blue light from their screens can make it harder to fall asleep.
Sleep
Prioritise sleep, set up a schedule so that you are making sure you’re getting enough sleep. If possible, don't have devices such as mobile phones and computers in the bedroom. If you do, you might be tempted to check them during the night and the blue light from their screens can make it harder to fall asleep.
Hobbies
Start a new hobby or reconnect with an old one. Even combine a hobby with exercise, for example if you like photography, why not combine photography with going for a walk?
The Positives
Focus on the positives in your life like your achievements; think the best is going to happen rather than the worst and practice positive self-talk.
Social support
Stay connected with family and friends who can provide both emotional and practical help. If you only have one or two people in your life try joining a group.
Gratitude
Practicing gratitude can help your mental health by reducing your stress levels, helping you to feel happier, lessens anxiety, as well as improving your relationships and increasing your confidence and self-esteem. Writing a gratitude journal is a way of practicing gratitude.
Caring for our mental health is purely personal to you, what works for one person, might not work for others. The important thing is to be kind to yourself and if you’re struggling seek help from a professional.
There are times when caring for ourselves means we need a listening ear and help from other people. Below are resources you can turn to when you need them: