Poor mental health is a growing problem. A survey conducted by the National Centre of Social Research revealed that one in every four (26%) adults had been officially diagnosed with a mental illness – with a further 18% reporting having experienced a mental illness but not having been diagnosed.
With today being World Mental Health Day (10th October), there are a few simple steps people can take to alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety and improve their overall wellbeing.
Eat well, exercise and get a good night’s sleep
Good mental health often begins with looking after your physical health. Certain habits are known to negatively impact your health and consequently take a toll on your mental wellbeing. It’s important, therefore, to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle. This can begin with simply having at least 7 hours of sleep and doing regular exercise.
Schedule time for yourself
Taking some time out of your week to look after your wellbeing is a great way to relieve negative feelings. In fact, going for long periods without time for yourself can be detrimental to your mental health. Scheduling in ‘me’ time can be as simple as reading a book, going for a bike ride, or booking a spa treatment – whatever helps you clear your mind without having to focus on someone or something else.
Do something you’re good at and enjoy
Doing something you enjoy such as sports, dancing classes or cooking can help beat many mental health symptoms like stress or grief. If possible, you can also plan your workload around these activities, and it also gives you the opportunity to involve your work colleagues, friends and family as well.
Speak to a professional
Of course, if your stress and anxiety is inhibiting your daily functions, do not be afraid to talk to a therapist. Seekingprofessional medical help can provide you with effective coping solutions to manage your symptoms. For those who are reluctant to open up about their struggles for fear of their loved ones or colleagues finding out, live video services like Mynurva give people the option to discreetly receive the support that they need.
It is important for everybody to take time out of their day to look after themselves. And by adopting some of the above tips, people can significantly improve their mental health symptoms and wellbeing.
Words: Dr Zain Sikafi, CEO and co-founder, Mynurva
