You probably think about keeping physically fit. But have
you ever thought about looking after your mental wellbeing?
We've produced five ways to better mental
health: why not follow our steps and let us know how you
get on?
We've made a film, voiced by Ruby Wax, all about our Five
Ways
You can also play our fun Hurdles game to try out getting active
for yourself.
5 Steps to Better Mental Health
| 1. Stay connected
Developing relationships with family, friends,
colleagues and neighbours can help you to stay connected with your
community and get perspective on issues in your life. Why
not:
- Say hello to your neighbours when you pass them?
- Talk to someone instead of sending an email or text?
- Go to a local sports team's next game?
- Arrange to meet up with a friend you haven't seen for a
while?
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| 2. Get Active
Regular physical activity can help to improve
your mental health. Sports and hobbies like gardening, dancing, or
taking a daily stroll will help you feel good. And they'll help
your physical health, too! Other simple and effective ways to Get
Active include:
- Taking the stairs not the lift.
- Walking into work or to an appointment
- Getting off the bus one stop earlier than usual and walking the
final part of your journey.
- Clearing out your attic or cupboards
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3. Take Notice
Noticing the beauty of everyday moments as well
as unusual ones and reflecting on them helps you to appreciate what
matters to you. Being aware of what is taking place in the present
is good for your well-being. Here are a few other
ideas:
- Challenge yourself to find one thing
to be grateful for every day
- Take notice of how your friends or colleagues are feeling or
acting
- Take a different route on your journey to or from your regular
destinations
- Keep a diary of your feelings, thoughts and achievements
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4. Learn
The challenge of achieving something new can be fun, satisfying and
good for your confidence. Learning can improve your self-esteem, as
well as helping you to connect and get active. Also, setting goals
for yourself can really help you to stay mentally well. So why not
learn something new today?
- Sign up for a class at a local
college, or on the internet: many online courses are free
- Learn a new skill from a friend
- Try a new magazine, newspaper or book.
- Research something you've always wondered about: your local
library can help
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5. Give
Helping other people is a good way of linking you to a wider
community and it is very rewarding. Research has shown that doing
an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period can increase
your wellbeing. Why not,
- Smile at the next person you
see?
- Volunteer your time to a charity?
- Check on a neighbour who might need help?
- Support SAMH?
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SAMH's 5 Ways to Better Mental Health were developed from
the New Economics Foundation's Ways to
Wellbeing.