How can I look after my mental health?

Taking care of your mental health means looking after your emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. There are several ways we can practice self-care that will help to improve our physical and mental health. This can help to reduce our risk of illness, manage stress, and boost our energy levels!

Here are some self-care tips:

• Exercise often
  Every little helps - just 30 minutes of walking can help to boost your mood and improve your health. If you can't do a solid 30 minutes just remember small amounts of exercise still add up
  
  
• Eat healthy, regular meals and drink plenty of water
  A balanced diet and lots of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day
  
  
• Be careful of caffeine and alcohol
  Watch your intake of caffeine and alcohol as too much of these can affect your mood and wellbeing
  
  
• Sleep is essential
  Having a sleep schedule can help you to increase the number of hours of quality sleep. Turning off electronics a couple of hours before bed is a good idea as blue light from devices can make it more difficult to fall asleep
  
  
• Take part in relaxing activities
  Wellbeing apps and programmes can help with muscle relaxation and breathing exercises. Listening to music, reading, spending time outside in nature, and having a nice hot bath are all good examples
  
  
• Set goals and prioritise
  Not everything has to be done immediately. Make a list and prioritise what needs to be done now and what can wait. Sometimes taking on too many tasks can feel overwhelming. Focus on your achievements - not what there is still left to do!
  
  
• Practice gratitude
  Each day remind yourself of everything you are grateful for. Thinking positively can help start your day in a good light
  
  
• Stay connected with loved ones
  If you are feeling low, it's important to talk to family or friends who can provide emotional support - sometimes all we need is a listening ear

Remember, what works for someone else may not work for you. It's good to practice different types of self-care to find out what works for you. Self-care isn't a cure for a mental illness but understanding and managing triggers with coping techniques can help.