7 Top Tips for Better Mental Health

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show there has been a concerning increase in the number of individuals unable to work in the UK due to long-term sickness. 

Astonishingly, for every 13 individuals presently employed, one person is on long-term sick leave, highlighting the scale of the issue.

The data reveals that over two and a half million people are currently out of work as a result of health-related issues, with a notable rise in mental health problems. 

This week is Mental Health awareness week and this year’s theme is anxiety. Anxiety can affect everyone from time to time. There are lots of reasons why we get this feeling, it can be connected to workload, finding a new job, financial concerns, relationships or just not feeling right. Below we have put together some tips that can help.  

Tips to help your mental health

We all know eating well and exercising is good for our physical health, but what can you do to keep yourself mentally healthy? 
 

1. Talk about your feelings
If you’re struggling with difficult emotions, sharing them with someone you trust can lift a big weight off your shoulders. They may be able to reassure you and help you get things in perspective.
 

2. Stay connected
Spending time with friends and family can help boost your mood, confidence and brain power. Try planning a regular meetup, call or even a text conversation to get support and reduce feelings of isolation.
 

3. Keep active
Regular exercise is good for your mind as well as your body! It releases endorphins that make you feel happy and positive, can relieve stress and anxiety and help you sleep better.
 

4. Eat well
What you eat has a massive impact on how you feel. A healthy balanced diet can improve your mood, energy and concentration. Plus, the act of cooking something delicious from scratch can be therapeutic in itself.
 

5. Have a break
Downtime is crucial to your mental health, especially when you’re busy. Put aside a bit of time each day to rest or do something purely for pleasure. You’ll be able to concentrate better and think more clearly as a result.
 

6. Give back
Doing something for others can boost your self-esteem and happiness, whether it’s by volunteering, raising money for a good cause or helping a friend. 
 

7. Have fun
Being responsible is important–but so is having fun. Plan a trip out or a cosy night in with a good book or movie to look forward to at the end of your week. You’ll find you have much more motivation to get your tasks done when they’re not the only thing in your life.