Do you need support with looking after your mental health?
The last few years has been a strain for all of us. You are not alone - support is available.
Many aspects of everyday life can feel overwhelming at times.
Reaching out for support can be the first step to improving your own mental health and quality of life.
What can I do to feel better?
There are some simple things you can do to help you take care of your mental health and wellbeing during times of uncertainty.
- Stay connected to people, by phone or video calls. Talk about your worries - either with someone you know or via a helpline.
- Support other people. Helping others, emotionally or practically will benefit you as well as them.
- Make a financial plan. Mental Health UK’s Mental Health and Money Toolkit is designed to help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health.
- Look after your body. Our physical health is linked to our mental health. Eating healthily, drinking enough water, and taking regular exercise will lift your mood and clear your mind.
- Support available from Change, Grow, Live (a nationwide charity that supports tens of thousands of people each day, with help around life after prison, substance misuse, homelessness and employment)
- Look after your mind. You might find it helpful to set limits on the amount of time you spend reading about or listening to coverage of the outbreak. Try to focus on the things you can control. If and when you do catch up on the news, avoid speculation and stick to credible news sources. Take the Mind Plan Quiz to get some top tips.
- Be creative and do things you enjoy. We all have some creative juices somewhere inside us! Whether it is cooking, writing, painting... It is never too late to take up a new hobby, or pick up one that you haven't thought about for years. There is a 'how to' video for just about everything on YouTube (card tricks, anyone?).
- Getting enough sleep can make a big difference to how well you handle the day ahead. Read more here about how to sleep better.
- If you are looking after children, talking to them will help them to deal with upsetting information they may have come across.
- The mental health needs of LGBTQ+ people are unique and on average they experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other disorders than cisgender and heterosexual people. For tailored advice and support about wellbeing if you’re LGBTQ+, go to LGBT hero where you’ll find fact sheets, forums, and more.
- Try reading: Reading Well books are all recommended by health experts, as well as people with lived experience of the conditions and topics covered and their relatives and carers, and support you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing.
