Mental Health Matters

0 min read

29 March 2021

Mental Health Matters is here to provide you with weekly tips, resources, events, and methods to help you achieve better mental wellbeing.

Mental Health Matters is here to provide you with weekly tips, resources, events, and methods to help you achieve better mental wellbeing and happiness. This is more important than ever with the ever changing circumstances that we are all finding ourselves in.

The NHS has launched a website section called Every Mind Matters, focusing on mental health and wellbeing for people of all ages. Check out the You Mind Plan Quiz and answer 5 questions and receive a personalised advice for how to improve your mental health, click here to take the quiz. Below is information from the site on how to help your mental health during COVID.

How to Deal with Change and Uncertainty During COVID

1. Take stock of how you feel

Put time aside to examine your current situation and consider how you really feel, perhaps talking it through with someone you trust. Acknowledging that the coronavirus outbreak is having an impact on you, and that this is to be expected, can also help you to manage the uncertainty.

2. Focus on the short term

Try to focus on the day-to-day and think about what is in your power to do right now. Try breaking down each day or each week into manageable, achievable tasks, and focus on each goal in turn. Start with easier activities and work up – as you progress, your mood should improve, and it should get a bit easier.

3. Acknowledge what's working

Each day consider what went well and try to list 3 things you're thankful for. Noticing, acknowledging and being grateful for these constants in our life, as well as any small positive changes we have already made or are working on, can really help us deflect and recover from life's knocks – and helps us see positive possibilities for the future.

4. Recognise your achievements

Take 10 minutes and list some of your accomplishments or successes from the past 12 months – no matter how big or small. Are there any unexpected ones in there? Whatever they are, take time to reflect on and be proud of your accomplishments this year, and keep a note of them from now on.

5. Find a new rhythm

Make time to de-stress and wind down each day – build in positive activities like exercise, relaxation, hobbies, speaking to friends or spending time with those close to you, and think about a positive sleep routine. Click here for tips on how to sleep better.

6. Try to stay in the moment

Restrictions, regulations, and the general situation are changing frequently, so it's important not to dwell on the past, fixate on the future, or get bogged down by things you do not or cannot know. Relaxation, mindfulness or getting outside and enjoying nature are all good ways to help you focus on the present.

7. Reframe your thoughts

It can be helpful to step back, examine the evidence for your thoughts and explore other ways of looking at the situation. This will not resolve the problems you face but can help break a negative spiral and give you a new perspective – things are often not as bad as we thought.

8. Decide what strategies work for you

Think about what strategies have worked best for you when you have faced problems before and work out how you can use these approaches now. It could be in the past, or what's worked recently. Whatever it is, commit to making it part of your daily routine – and remember that recognising when you need professional help with your mental health is an important coping strategy for many people.

9. Only do what's comfortable

As the situation evolves, it's important to make sure we are going at our own pace. Honest and open communication is vital but so is giving others the space to move at their own speed.

10. Get practical advice

Talk to people you trust and get support if you need it. There is lots of help out there.Citizens Advice can be useful for employment or housing concerns. Mental Health at Work is great for managing mental health in the workplace Click here for advice on money worries.


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