As Bobby McFerrin sang, ‘Don’t worry, be happy’. It’s great for your mental health.
Here are ten ways to keep the doldrums at bay:
- Exercise
Probably the most straightforward way to feel better about yourself. As the old saying goes, a healthy body means a healthy mind. Exercise fills your veins with positive endorphins to make you feel good and gives you a sense of achievement. It takes more planning in lockdown, but it’s far from impossible.
- Take time to be relaxed.
Modern working lives can be busy and stressful. Give yourself time off to chill out when you feel stressed and don’t feel guilty about it. Everyone deserves to feel good.
- Be grateful.
All the parents out there have no doubt told their kids at some point to be grateful for what they’ve got. It’s great advice, not just for children acting spoilt. Gratitude is a powerful mental cure-all. Take five minutes each day to count three things you’re thankful for. Then remember those things when you’re angry or upset to bring back happy feelings.
- Keep in touch with friends and family.
This is a seemingly obvious one that can slip from all our minds now and then. It’s especially important to make the extra effort in lockdown. As we said in our blog on dealing with mental health problems, calling is better than messaging and video is better than both, so fire up those Zooms people!
- Give yourself a break.
If you’re stressed and anxious with responsibilities and work, allow yourself some time away from them. The word ‘allow’ is important –you don’t have to be working and worrying all the time. Take some ‘me time’.
- Take time to do things you enjoy.
On the subject of me time, spend it doing things that make you really happy. Thinking of how to spend our free time doing things you love can turn an ok off day into a brilliant one that really boosts your mood.
- Do something you’re good at and feel proud.
A sense of real achievement can lift even the worst mood. Anything from doing crafts to making a meal to helping out a friend can make you feel good, especially if you take time to feel proud of yourself.
- Help others.
Several recent studies have found we get a bigger boost from helping others than from any similar activity. We really are generous people at heart. Isn’t that a great reason for us all to feel good about ourselves? Especially if we have taken time to help someone out.
- Celebrate your successes and achievements.
Don’t just let the good things you do pass by. Make a noise, reward yourself, feel good!
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
When you do feel down, never be afraid to ask family, friends or even a professional for help. For anonymous, open help when you’re feeling depressed, call the Samaritans on 116 123.
Learn more about mental health on a free Mental Health Awareness course
What you learn will help you improve your own mental health and support those around you. It’s also accredited, widely recognised and equivalent to a GCSE. The offer is open to anyone not already on a funded apprenticeship.
Email Sally@sourcesolutions.co.uk with your name and the title “I would like to apply for a free MHA course” to kick off your free course application.
Email to apply for a free course
We hope our advice helps some people out there. Please get in touch with us if you need any more support for yourself or others.
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