Looking After Yourself - Getting Mentally Fit!

Good mental health is about feeling good about yourself - feeling content, confident and able to cope with life's ups and downs. Doing something positive can make all the difference for you and for others.

Keeping active - regular exercise really helps if you are feeling depressed or anxious. It can give you more energy too. Find something you enjoy - a team sport, swimming, walking or dancing.

Getting involved - meeting new people and getting involved in things can make all the difference - for you and others. Joining a club or offering your services as a volunteer to a charity can be rewarding and help you feel less alone.

Learning New Skills - learning a new skill can increase your confidence - whether it's for pleasure, to make new friends or to improve your chances of a job.

Relaxing - try to make time for yourself. Fit things into your day that help you to unwind - reading, listening to music, prayer or meditation - whatever you enjoy or find relaxing. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

Doing something creative - all kinds of creative things can help if you are anxious or low. They can also increase your confidence. Music, writing, painting, drawing, poetry, cooking, gardening - experiment to find something to enjoy.

Talking about it - most people feel isolated and overwhelmed by their problems from time to time. It can help to share your feelings. If you feel there is no one to talk to, you could call a helpline.

Being a good listener - good listening is a skill. Rather than offering advice, it can help to let the person work things out as they talk. Hear them out - avoid making judgements, check from time to time that you've understood.

Keeping in touch with friends - friends are important, especially at difficult times. You don't have to be strong and struggle on alone. Be there - and let others be there for you. Be a good friend and neighbour. Keep in touch.

Accepting who you are - our beliefs, background, culture, religion, sexuality and experiences make us who we are. Everyone is entitled to respect, including you.

Accepting others - it is easy to feel threatened or intimidated by people who are different. Everyone has something to offer.

Asking for help - everyone needs help from time to time. It's ok to ask for help, even if it feels difficult, whether it's from family, friends, or your local doctor or mental health team. Don't wait. Say how you feel and let people help and support you.

This information was kindly supplied by Mentality. Click here for the Mentality website

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health difficulities, your GP can offer help and advice and put you in touch with local services that can help you.

Being in employment is one of the key ways to stay mentally well. Work offers social contact, focus, stimulation, learning, satisfaction and of course financial rewards. If you have been out of work for a while or are having trouble coping with your job, it is easy to lose confidence, feel negative and have a low self-esteem. Talk to your GP to find out how to get help and support to cope with your job to get back into work.

Routes2Employment is developing a database of local companies and businesses who share the commitments in the R2E Employment Charter. The Charter outlines standards and good practice in relation to the employment of people who currently have or are recovering from mental heath problems. If your organisation would like to adopt the charter, you can do so by registering on the website.
To access Routes2Employement click here

Local services you could also contact:

Mental Health Matters

Telephone:  01915 163 500  

To access the Mental Health Matters website click here

Working Well Trust

Telephone: 020 8519 8619

To access the Working Well Trust website click here