“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength.” Marcus Aurelius.

Mental Health Awareness Week this year runs from May 11 to 17 and is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. The UK charity is focused on preventing poor mental health and building and protecting good mental health.

They believe everyone deserves good mental health and that no-one living in the UK should be deprived of the opportunity for it because of who they are, the community they come from or where they live.

Poor mental health is not inevitable. There are things we can do as individuals, in our communities and across society to help us all to live with good mental health. For one week each May, the charity hosts a campaign around a specific theme for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Since their first campaign in 2001, they’ve raised awareness of topics like body image, stress and relationships.  The campaign reaches millions of people every year.  This year’s theme is action to support good mental health because, while awareness is vital, real change comes when we take action too.

Even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless. And while our individual actions matter, when we come together, we are even more powerful.

These are the Mental Health Foundation’s top ten suggested actions to support good mental health. They may help lift your mood and improve your ability to cope with life.

  1. Plan something to look forward to. Making plans for things we enjoy can increase our sense of hope, which is important for our mental health. It could be a plan to sit down with a cup of tea and take a quiet five minutes or a long-term plan for an ambitious trip. Whether it’s a big or small goal, the important thing is to plan it.
  2. Eat well. One of the simplest ways to improve mental health is by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Not only can it support your emotional health, but introducing small habits, such as staying hydrated or having fruit snacks, can help make changes stick easier.
  3. Get closer to nature. Spending time in nature can boost your mood, lessen stress and help you concentrate.
  4. Get good sleep. Good quality sleep helps your brain work better, lifts your mood and is good for overall health.
  5. Get creative. Spending time on creative activities is a great way to help ease stress and anxiety. Carve out time to listen to music, paint, sing or do whatever you most enjoy.
  6. Move regularly. Being active can boost your mood and raise your self-esteem. It’s also an effective stress management technique. Whether you go for a walk, do some yoga or vigorously clean the kitchen, it all counts.
  7. Try mindfulness. Being fully aware in the present moment can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Aim to notice the colour of the sky, the sound of the leaves or the feeling of your feet on the ground.
  8. Make time for friends. Having good relationships with others can help you feel like you belong, allow you to share experiences and receive emotional support. It’s a great reason to have a catch-up with a friend on the phone.
  9. Be kind. Bad days happen to everyone. If you’re having a tough time, remember to treat yourself with kindness and understanding. You’re doing the best you can.
  10. Talk things over with someone you trust. It can take a lot of courage to tell someone else how we’re feeling or what we’re finding hard. Just talking things through with a person we trust can feel like a relief and make us feel less alone.

 
This week, why not take a few moments to reflect on the suggested actions above. Is there an action you can take to support good mental health that might lift your mood or improve your ability to cope with life? Consider what your first step will be and if you require any help or support. If you do, who can you reach out to for assistance?

You can get more information on Mental Health Awareness Week and the work of the Mental Health Foundation at www.mentalhealth.org.uk

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk