Tips for Mental Health and Well-being

We all know that to keep a car going, we have to fill it with petrol, check the oil and water regularly and give the tires some air. To see a bank balance grow, we need to make steady deposits. But how often do we take the time, in our busy lives, to reflect on whether we are giving ourselves what we need to flourish and live well?

It can be so easy for us to take our mental health for granted; to put other things first; to put it off until next week, or sometimes we can mistakenly think that this is a ‘self-indulgent’ avenue to go down, and so we ignore little warning signs, that grow over time. It can also seem too big and too hard. But it’s not.

But it’s not. Here are a few helpful tips.

1. Get enough sleep and rest. Sleep affects our physical and mental health, but can be the first thing we trade in when we get busy or stressed. (This is an obvious one, isn’t it? I think we all know how much harder it is to deal with anything when we’re tired!)
2. Take time out for things you enjoy. Balance in life is important, so taking time out for things you enjoy, such as a hobby, can make a difference to how you think and feel
3. Be active and eat well. Our physical and mental health is closely linked, so adding exercise and nutritious food every day can make us feel better
4. Nurture relationships and connect with others. Our connection to others is what builds us up and keeps us strong.
5. Learn to manage stress. If you have trouble winding down or managing thoughts you may find relaxation, yoga or writing your feelings down helpful.
6. Get involved and join in. Being part of a group with common interests provides a sense of belonging so find out about sporting, music, volunteer or community groups locally. Giving of your time to support worthwhile projects, and of course there are many here at the parish, as a volunteer has a positive impact. 
7. Build your confidence. Learning improves your mental fitness and taking on a new challenge can build confidence and give you a sense of achievement
8. Be comfortable in your own skin. Everyone is unique and should be celebrated. Know who you are and what makes you happy.
9. Set realistic goals and deal with tasks one at a time. It is good to be specific when you set a goal to help keep you on track, and don’t just decide on the goal, but think about some helpful strategies that will assist you to keep on track.
10. Reach out for help when you need it. So important, and yet such a tough thing to do in our society. Everyone needs support from time to time. Talking to a family member, a friend, your doctor or one of the many services available can make all the difference. The ability to reach out is a huge protective factor.
11. Reduce alcohol consumption and avoid illicit drug use
12. Start each day by reminding yourself of 3 things that you are grateful for.
13. Take a little time to stop and process your thoughts and worries. I find it helpful to write these down. Don’t just keep it all up in your head as that can become a pretty ‘messy’ place at times!