World Mental Health Day is on Sunday 10^th October 2021. With the ups and downs of the past year many people have struggled with their mental health, some for the first time.

It has been a difficult year with lockdowns, ever-changing rules, lack of social contact, homeschooling and for many, financial concerns. We all know the importance of looking after our physical health through healthy eating and exercise but what about our mental health?

Below are our top tips for looking after our mental health…

Reach out for help – speak to friends and family about how you are feeling. Talking helps and you may be surprised to hear that others have felt the same way. They may be able to offer support and advice, or just a listening ear. Mental health is something that we should all be able to talk openly about. Open conversations will help to break down the stigma. There are professional organisations that are here to help, explore your local NHS wellbeing service. Many workplaces also offer Employee Assistance Programmes where you can access counselling services and the Samaritans offer 24-hour support.

Sleep – ensure that you are getting enough sleep and are feeling well-rested. Sleep has a huge impact on hormone regulation and mood. Getting enough sleep can help to improve mood, energy, and motivation levels. Try to create a regular sleep routine, reduce caffeine intake, and avoid technology in the lead up to bedtime.

Take some time for you – sometimes when we are feeling low, we stop doing things we enjoy. Making time for hobbies can help improve your mood. Pick up old hobbies or learn something new. Think about joining a local club or group such as an exercise class or book club, this can help to give much needed social contact. Go for a walk or arrange to have coffee with a friend.

Self-care – making time for cooking and eating healthily, engaging in regular exercise and taking the time to look after ourselves can have a positive impact on our mood.

Set some small achievable goals – make a daily “to do” list. Sometimes when we are struggling with our mental health, we lose motivation and drive. Having a checklist of daily goals that we can tick off can help give a sense of achievement and improve motivation levels.