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Mental Health Awareness Month
The week commencing 10th May is mental health awareness week. Having lived through the period of Covid-19 and Lockdown, mental health has become more openly discussed and we are being urged to take care of our mental health as well as our physical health.
1 in 4 people will at some point in their life suffer with a mental health issue with 1 in 8 suffering with a mental health issue each week. These are high figures. Think of the people in your family, if you are a family of four that would mean one of you could at some point in your life suffer a mental health illness.
The conversation around mental health is always difficult. Mental health isn’t visible and can often be dismissed as you cannot physically see an issue but this thought pattern needs approaching and changing.
Each year, mental health awareness week has a different theme and this year the theme is nature. The aim is to encourage people to get outdoors and to be more in touch with nature. Often birdsong and whale song are used to help sooth mental health and are associated with relaxation. It may not be easy for us to find whales to help in the city centre but we can find birds who are always chirping and singing for all to hear.
Below is a list of things you can do to try to take care of yourself and improve your mental health. If you find these don’t work and things are not improving, please seek medical advice.
- Move more! It doesn’t need to be a marathon every day but set a step target and see if you can beat it each day
- Take time to relax – if its two minutes controlled breathing or a yoga class or even binge watching your favourite programmes it still counts!
- Try not to isolate yourself completely. Keep in touch with friends and family using your telephone or social media platforms and seek out people you can talk to.
- Make sure you eat and sleep well.
- Try and get outside and get some fresh air
- Make time for you. This can be difficult but it is very important.
At Johnson Astills we have designated staff who are there to help with any mental health issues and are always available for a chat or a coffee, even during lockdown. We hope you are all staying safe and taking care of yourselves. Our offices may be closed but we are still operating remotely and can still be contacted on either 0116 2554855 or 01509 610312.