We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. Our mental health is how we’re feeling inside, or how we are emotionally. It’s a bit like internal weather.
Having good mental health makes life easier. It helps us to calm and comfort ourselves when we’re upset, to cope with the losses, changes, fears and uncertainties in life, to make and keep good relationships with other people and to learn.
- Get closer to nature – Nature can have a really calming effect on us. To get the best out of nature’s healing effects, try tuning your senses to what’s around you – the trees, plants, birds and animals, for instance, and water such as ponds or the seashore. Take a deep breath and see how you feel. The idea is to get connected with your natural surroundings.
- Get better sleep – For many people, sleep is often the first thing that suffers when we’re struggling with our mental health. If you’re struggling with your sleep try making a few simple changes – develop a relaxing bedtime routine to help you start winding down before you actually go to sleep; avoid TV and mobile screens, alcohol and caffeine before bed; avoid vigorous exercise before bed; go to bed and get up at around the same time every day, including weekends.
- Eat healthy food – food and drink affect our bodies, brains and mood – for good or bad. A balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruit is essential for good physical and mental health. How we eat is also important. Having meals with other people can help to grow relationships – with family, friends, partners, and colleagues. This is really important in protecting everyone’s mental health and preventing problems.
- Keep moving – moving our bodies – with sport, gardening, dancing, cycling, walking the dog, cleaning or going to the gym for example are great ways to improve our mental and physical health. Exercise releases “feel good” hormones that reduce feelings of stress and anger. It can improve our sleep too. If it involves other people, like being part of a team, a class or a group we see regularly, that can also boost our mental health.
- Talk to someone you trust for support. Just talking things through with a person we trust can help and feel like a relief.
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