We all know that it is really important to look after our physical health, but what about our mental health? When was the last time you took time for yourself? You may go to the gym, you may start a diet, which is all good but apart from looking good does that really help you? Our mental health is just as important as our physical health and that's why I think self care is so important. Setting aside some time for yourself can improve your physical and mental health.
Stress, anxiety, depression. Some of these words may be familiar to you. Some may be foreign. But all of these can negatively impact your life. Mental health is just as important as physical health, so what can you do to help yours this year?
Maybe you will think about beginning or ending a relationship, maybe you will think about changing your job, maybe you will make big plans to travel the world or learn a new language. Those are all fantastic things and could be easily added to your to-do-list for this year. However, I want to know: what are you going to do to help your mental health this year? What are those simple everyday changes that can have a positive impact on your mental health?
Did you ever see that meme that said: ‘when you don't know what to do, pick one thing and do it every day’? I like that philosophy. We all know the old saying about how there are 7 days in a week and that we have to deal with 1 day at a time. That means if you don't have a problem, stick to doing your daily routine. If you are however suffering from depression or anxiety then I suggest making small changes every couple of months and seeing if those things work for you. It is a long road to recovery so don't try anything new then give up after two weeks when the opposite happens to what you had hoped would happen.
We are what we eat and we think what we think. People feast on comfort foods when they're sad, or stop thinking positive thoughts that are good for them when they feel blue.
Hey blog post readers, do you know that feeling after you’ve had a really busy week? Or even just a long day in the office, walking to work and back home under your own power? You might feel like life is difficult, even though it can be so simple. People don’t talk about mental health enough.
It's a new year and we've all made a list of things we're going to do, whether it's lose weight, start that business you've been dreaming of, or get married. Whatever the list contains — you have questions and so do I. "How will you make room for these changes?" "When?" ""What are your obstacles?" I have several solutions for your mental health and one of them is for you to invest in you. Put yourself first for a change.
Stress, pressure, and anxiety are all too common in today's world. We are told to love our bodies and to be confident in ourselves while also being forced into a system of comparison over contentment. I am here to show you 5 things you can do for yourself that will improve your mental health — yes even if you work 40+ hours a week at a full time job.
5 ways to help your mental health.
Improving your mental health when you're at work can feel like a challenge, especially if you work in a busy or stressful environment. But the 5 ways to wellbeing provide some simple steps which you can do every single day.
Step 1 – Connect
Connecting with others can help us feel close to people, and valued for who we are. Being social means different things for different people – you might prefer being in quieter situations with one other person, or you might like being in big groups. You might like to connect with people online, or you might enjoy phone calls or sending letters.
Here are some ways you could make a connection today:
If you feel comfortable, you could try speaking to someone new
Ask how someone’s weekend was, and really listen when they tell you
Put 5 minutes aside to find out how a colleague is doing
Give a colleague a lift to work or share the journey home with them
Step 2 – Get active
Many people find that physical activity helps them maintain positive mental health.
This doesn't have to mean running marathons or training every day at the gym. There are lots of different things you can do to be a bit more active.
Studies have shown that getting active can help you sleep better, have happier moods, and reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and racing thoughts.
Here are a few ideas for how you can get active today:
Take the stairs rather than the lift
Go for a walk at lunchtime
Walk into work – maybe you could go with a colleague
Get off the bus a stop earlier than usual and walk the final part of your journey to work
Organise a work sporting activity
Have a kick-about in a local park
Do some stretches before you leave for work in the morning
If you're in the office, walk over to someone’s desk instead of calling or emailing
Step 3 – Take notice
Reminding yourself to take notice can help you to be aware of how you're feeling. It can help you understand what triggers your feelings of stress or anxiety.
Some studies have shown that savouring ‘the moment’ can also help you to feel more positive about life.
Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. Here are a few ideas:
Get a plant for your workspace
Have a ‘clear the clutter’ day
Take a different route on your journey to or from work
Visit a new place for lunch
Step 4 – Learn
We're always learning new things – often without realising it. Feeling like you're learning and developing can boost your self-esteem.
And sometimes, setting goals can help you to feel more productive and more in control of your life.
What can you learn today? Here are a few ideas:
Find out something about your colleagues
Sign up for a class
Read the news or a book
Set up a book club
Do a crossword or Sudoku
Research something you’ve always wondered about
Learn a new word
Step 5 – Give
There's been lots of research about the effects of taking part in social and community life. Some studies have shown that people who help others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.
Is there anything you can do today, to be kind or helpful to someone else? You could try:
Making a cup of tea for a colleague
Offering to help a colleague with something they're stuck on
Introducing yourself to a new-starter, to help them feel more at ease
Seeing if there are any volunteering initiatives open at work.
All simple achievable things that you could do.
Remember IF NOTHING CHANGES. NOTHING CHANGES.
As I say in all my daily tiktoks It starts with you. And you, you have got this.
If you need any help to get you on track, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I work face to face and online so distance isn’t a problem.
Let’s make 2024 your year. The year you took back control.
Until next month
Take care, Stay happy and Stay healthy.
Jon