Mental health. Not something that is generally a topic open for discussion is it?
Regardless of whether we talk about it or not, it is crucial we take care of it for our overall health and wellbeing.
What is Mental Health?
When we talk about ”mental health” this includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It can affect how we think, feel act and make decisions that relate to us and those around us.
Mental health is so much more than the absence of mental illness, as we said before, it’s essential for your overall health and quality of life.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is on the 10th of October every year and each year there is a new theme to help tackle the issues faced at that time. This year the theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’, this is because 2020 highlighted a number of inequalities in race, gender, ethnicity etc. ad these inequalities have an impact on people’s mental health.
Self Care & Looking After Your Mental Health
Self Care is different for everyone, but it is important to find what best works for you and stick with it. There may be a bit of trial and error to discover what you like and enjoy.
Exercise
Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day can help boost your mood and improve your health. It’s totally up to you what exercise option you choose. Whether its walking, cycling, running etc. Exercise all adds up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 mins a day, it all adds up.
Healthy Eating
We’ve all heard the saying over and over ”you are what you eat” and to some extent it is true. If we only put processed and unhealthy food into our bodies, we can’t expect a positive result.
A balanced diet is the way to go, it will give your body and mind the minerals and nutrients it needs which can help you focus and stay alert.
Stay Hydrated
Ever get a headache out of nowhere and after you drink some water it starts to calm down? That’s your body telling you it’s thirsty. Keeping hydrated is crucial, it helps improve your thought process, keeps you alert and keeps the body moving.
Counting Sheep
Many people think they are hero’s for only get 3 or 4 hours sleep but there are a number of negative effects from lack of sleep. It is important to make sure you are getting enough sleep on a regular basis. Trying to get into a routine is the best way to start.
One top tip would be to -> Avoid looking at screens at least 1 hour before bed – the blue light from them can make it harder to go asleep.
Prioritize
Trying to get everything done at full speed all the time isn’t healthy for you. That’s why its good to prioritize . Decide what needs to get done now and what can wait till later. Learn to say ”no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you are taking on too much. Remember to reflect on what you have achieved at the end of the day already.
Practice Gratitude
We can all get a little lost on the ‘rat race’ of life and forget to acknowledge what we already have. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for and be specific. You could write them down at the end/beginning of the day or replay them in your mind.
Connect
Connecting with others is a great way to take care of you, being able to relax and chat is worth its weight in gold. We all have those conversations with family and friends where we may laugh, cry or even get down into the gossip over a cuppa and believe it or not, its actually good for you.
So don’t forget to reach out and stay connected.
Reach Out
It’s always important to remember that reaching out and asking for professional help is an option. If you feel like you need a helping had, talk to your doctor today and they will know who and how to connect you to the right person. Asking for help can be hard but you will certainly be glad you did.
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