Everyone has mental health, and it's affected by everything in our life. From relationships to money worries and even a lack of sleep – we all have good and bad days.
The good news is that there are plenty of things that can help us feel better, from diet and exercise, to habit changes and seeking therapy.
For world mental health awareness day, we’ve teamed up with CALM and JED to bring you 5 tips to prioritise your mental health.
Just like our physical health, there are small changes and approaches we can take to prioritise and care for our mental health.
Here are five tips to help you prioritize your mental health:
1. Move Your Body
Ok, so this one is our thing for sure. Moving your body has so many benefits, mentally and physically – from lifting weights to flowing yoga.
Regular movement throughout the day can boost your mood, reduce stress and re-focus your mind.
Partner some fresh air with your movement to elevate the benefits, with many studies showing that regular exercise, such as running could boost your mental health.
2. Meet New People
It's no secret that when we head out to the shops, or for our afternoon run - meeting new people isn't often in our thought process.
But maybe that's something we can change. Sparking new conversations in peculiar places may lead to an unlikely friendship – and studies have shown that connecting with a stranger can help us feel happier and more connected with our communities.
Keep an open mind, and relish new-found social interactions.
3. Get Creative
We're all creative in our own way, from crocheting to colouring. Getting creative is a great way to express ourselves, extracting our thoughts and easing the weight on our shoulders.
Allowing ourselves time to explore our creative interests can boost our focus on the current task, and take our mind away from negative thoughts.
4. Do What You Love
Whatever your hobby, that passion is often shared with so many others. Joining a club can help beat loneliness - and it's a great way to meet up and create powerful friendships with like-minded people.
Whether it's a book club, powerlifting club or something in between, immersing in club culture may forge lifelong relationships.
If running is your thing, then we have some great ways to stay safe when running in the dark during those winter months.
5. Ask For Help
It can feel scary or overwhelming to experience mental health problems for the first time or at any time. It can also be difficult to talk about them with your friends and family because of the stigma – that’s shame or embarrassment – that can be attached to talking about how we feel.
It’s important to remember you're not alone and that there is a way to move forward, no matter what you’re going through.
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🇬🇧 From the UK?:
Gymshark and CALM have teamed up to bring more awareness to mental health and the stigma surrounding it. Explore more about Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and the incredible service they provide.
If you are struggling contact the CALM helpline where trained staff will talk to you about your worries and provide you with practical support.
🇺🇸 From North America?
We've partnered with The JED Foundation, for more information see below...
The Jed Foundation offers this easy guide to finding affordable mental health care that meets your needs: https://jedfoundation.org/how-to-get-help/
JED wants you to know that one of the best ways to get help for suicide is to talk about it. Here's how: https://jedfoundation.org/its-ok-to-say-suicide/
If you are ready to talk to a mental health professional, but unsure where to start, check out The Jed Foundation's Guide to Affordable Therapy.
This World Mental Health Day we are sharing The Jed Foundation's important message that one of the ways you can take care of your emotional well-being is to seek out joy. https://jedfoundation.org/resource/the-power-of-joy-in-difficult-times/
If you need help right now: Text HOME to 741-741 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor any time of day.
Text or call 988 or use the chat function at 988lifeline.org.
If this is a medical emergency or there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.
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