Accessible Ways To Improve Your Mental Health Today

*This is a collaborative post.

When we talk about health, it’s common to focus on our bodies, but our minds are equally important. Mental health has become a talking point, but there’s a long way to go. Many of us are still reluctant to be open about how we feel and we sometimes find it hard to help others who talk about mental illness or feeling stressed, anxious or worried. It can take a long time to learn to manage or treat mental health symptoms, but there are steps you can take to improve your mental well-being today. Here are some accessible ways to boost mental well-being. 

Adopt an active lifestyle

Regular exercise is one of the best natural remedies for mental health. There are multiple benefits of an active lifestyle, including lower stress levels, better sleep and a reduced risk of anxiety and depression. Active hobbies and sports can also provide an outlet if you’re experiencing challenging emotions like anger or frustration, or you simply need to relax and unwind.

If you want to release tension and anger, for example, you may find activities like boxing, playing golf or Padel, high-intensity interval training or spinning beneficial. If you’re finding it hard to switch off and relax, you could try yoga, Pilates, jogging, hiking or paddleboarding. Try to make time for daily exercise. Even if you just go for a walk during your lunch break or after work, this will help you to de-stress and feel more energised. 

Health experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. This can include everything from walking, running and dancing to Pilates, swimming and playing team sports. If you’re new to exercise, there are lots of ways to get started. Explore beginner’s classes or local clubs and teams that cater to novices, join a gym, sign up for exercise sessions with your partner, friends or colleagues, or use an activity tracker to boost your daily step count. 

Take time out to relax

How often do you truly switch off? Many of us have busy lifestyles and we find it hard to take time out. There’s also the problem of being accessible 24/7 thanks to smartphones, instant messaging and social media. Studies show that work is the most common cause of stress in the UK. Data from Statista revealed that almost 80% of people experience work-related stress frequently. 

A lack of work-life balance can increase susceptibility to stress. If you work long hours, or you feel like you never have time to wind down or switch off, take action now. Manage your time effectively. Make time in your schedule for activities that enable you to relax and tune out. This may include going to the gym, going for a walk with a friend or the dog every evening, reading books, listening to music or playing Minesweeper.
Set time aside for hobbies, socialising and doing things that make you feel happy and calm. 

Even having the right furniture can ensure you’re comfortable whether your mental health is good or bad. Knightsbridge provides furniture for mental health units that can be used to support your mental health in any situation.

Recognise the benefits of self-care

Self-care is a simple concept, which means looking after yourself. Embracing self-care is beneficial for your body and mind. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming, expensive or complicated. Basic steps such as taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, spending time with people who make you feel good, finding time for hobbies and eating well can all help. You might also want to add regular pampering sessions or treat yourself now and again. 

When you think about self-care, it’s beneficial to understand what makes you feel good and what can upset you or stress you out. This will help you tailor strategies to manage stress and anxiety, lift your mood and improve confidence. If you know that you get stressed when you’re tired, for example, get into the habit of going to bed at the same time each night and don’t be afraid to cancel plans if you feel overwhelmed and you’re craving an early night or a quiet weekend. If being outside makes you feel great, or you love exercise but don’t have much time available, plan a weekend in a national park, join a kayaking, running, hiking or cycling club or sign up for surf, climbing or open-water swimming sessions. 

Make sure you get enough sleep

We all experience sleepless nights, but there’s a difference between the occasional bad night and recurrent sleep troubles. If you don’t get enough sleep, it can affect your mental and physical health. A lack of sleep increases vulnerability to illnesses and infections, impacts concentration levels and affects your moods. It can also lead to burnout or fatigue and problems in your relationships. Adults should get around 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you struggle to get to sleep, or you wake often during the night, try self-help solutions. Examples include adopting a sleep routine, making sure your bedroom is quiet, dark and comfortable and avoiding intensive exercise, eating and consuming caffeinated drinks late at night. Use your evenings to wind down and avoid doing anything that stresses you out or stimulates you. A common example is scrolling through social media in bed. 

We can all take steps to nourish and improve our mental health, but we often prioritise our bodies over our minds. If you’re trying to pay more attention to your mental well-being, there are lots of simple, accessible ways to make a difference. Adopt a more active lifestyle, try different hobbies and activities and take time out to relax properly. Recognise the benefits of self-care, learn to identify and avoid triggers and stressors and make sure you get enough sleep. If you experience sleep troubles even after trying self-help techniques, seek advice from your doctor.