Your mental health and wellbeing

What Is Mental Health?

Mental health and wellbeing includes our emotional, psychological, physical and social well-being. It is an important and vital part of our life and affects how we think, feel, and act. Being healthy emotionally can promote productivity and effectiveness in activities like work, school or care giving and it also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and our decision making. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Below are some useful links that can help you with your mental health:

• Mental Health UK –  Information and support – Mental Health UK (mentalhealth-uk.org)
• Mental Health Foundation – Your mental health | Mental Health Foundation
• NHS England – nhs.uk/mental-health/
• Mind – Tips for everyday living – Mind

Things you can try to help with anxiety, fear and panic

Do

• Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional
• Use calming breathing exercises – Breathing exercises for stress – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Try to do some exercise, such as walking, running, swimming or yoga which can help you to relax
• Look at your sleeping patterns and seek help if need be ­- Sleep and tiredness – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Listen to mental wellbeing audio guides or relaxation and mindfulness apps – Mental wellbeing audio guides – NHS (www.nhs.uk) calm.com   www.headspace.com

Don’t

• Try not to do everything all at once – set yourself small targets that you can easily achieve
• Try not to focus on the things that you cannot change – focus your time and energy into helping yourself feel better
• Try not to avoid situations that make you feel anxious – try to slowly build up time spent in worrying situations to gradually reduce anxiety
• Try not to tell yourself that you are alone and that no one else gets worried or anxious – everyone experiences anxiety in different situations
• Try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve anxiety as these can all contribute to poor mental health

(the above information has been sourced from the NHS website)