Protect your mental health and wellbeing

World Mental Health Day is about raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change for everyone’s mental health. It’s also a chance to talk about mental health, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to get help if you are struggling. Come together with friends, families or colleagues this World Mental Health Day. 

Whilst we are no experts on the topic; we can help spread the word about things that may help you protect your mental health. 

1. Take a break  

This year’s theme is around maintaining a good level of workplace mental health. You can do this by making use of your regular breaks and annual leave entitlement. Make sure to take time away from your usual work surroundings, move away from your desk, go into a different space or take a few minutes outside. Whilst life can be busy, make sure some of your days off and annual leave are used for fun and spirit lifting activities.  

2. Exercise body and mind 

Release those feel-good chemicals with a hardcore home workout or get into a nice calm space and practice your yoga moves and stretches. Both proven to boost your overall health. If workplace stress is an issue can you arrange for a team walk or breaktime yoga session?  Try walking to work, or even biking, to help you de-stress before you arrive for the day and give yourself time to switch off after your shift. 

3. Create a routine that works for you and stick to it 

Finding a routine that works for you so that you eat and sleep at regular times and get enough sleep for your body to rejuvenate is vital for your wellbeing. Once you find that routine, sticking to it will ensure that you feel less tired, more refreshed, and you will find it easier to concentrate throughout the day.  

4. Keep in touch with those you love  

Keeping in touch with friends and family and having someone you can talk to is important for your mental health. Physically seeing and speaking to people is better than just keeping in touch via a phone screen too, so be sure to arrange in person catch-ups or at least a Facetime session every now and then as hearing their voice will be so much better than seeing a typed message. Why not arrange to meet up for a walk and get those relaxing chemicals flowing through your body too.  

5. A positive thought a day 

Keeping a positive mind can really help when you are experiencing stress. Just one happy thought a day that you can remind yourself of is an ideal way to do this. Why not jot it down in a journal or create a group chat with friends where you can share affirmations throughout the day? Plus remember to take time at the end of each day to think about the positives that happened; reminding yourself of the little things like the autumn leaves changing colour or there being no traffic on the way home from work can help you keep a positive mindset.