We may have passed Mental Health Awareness Week but this issue isn’t just a day, a week, a month or a year – mental health and wellbeing is critically important for all of us all the time.
Simple ways which you can help yourself stay resilient:
Enjoy at least an hour of ‘no screen time’ – so you find time to talk to friends, colleagues and especially family;
Perhaps in another half hour of your day, try meditation, relaxation, de-stressing – this can be done in all manner of ways, but walking the dog, playing squash, coffee with friends, yoga – whatever your happy activity is, do it, and make time to do it!!
Try to rationalise that your work won’t go anywhere, it is there to come back to, and with a fresh head, mind and body, concentration will be improved, productivity will increase and overall satisfaction improves.
Sleep – now here’s a tricky one – a really good sleep hygiene routine is key. Coming off screens, warm cosy non caffeinated drink half an hour before bedtime eg Horlicks, mindfulness – try taking yourself off to your happy place and every so often, an early night can be so restorative.
Learn a new skill/hobby – this uses a different part of your brain and just short periods of ‘learning something new’ can be so rewarding in every sense.
Be kind and be observant – any age person can struggle with their wellbeing, and just one person asking about their wellbeing can be the difference between keeping their head above water and not. Speak to them: if your gut tells you that something doesn’t seem right for that person.
These all may seem common sense, but in today’s busy world of 24hr living and business, it’s even more imperative we take time for ourselves.