World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2021
“Self-care techniques and general lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms of many mental health problems. They may also help prevent some problems from developing or getting worse.” - Mind.org.uk
When young people struggle with their mental health, they’re typically told to get help, yet don’t get much advice about ways they can help themselves. This is what Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families is being told by young people directly.
Although there are many ways we can help ourselves, it’s important to recognise that sometimes getting support from a professional is needed and that’s OK.
Transitions UK, wanted to provide some accessible tools to support your own mental health. It’s why our volunteer mentors and staff got together recently to share some of the ‘solutions and ‘tools’ they personally use to preserve their mental health. The ideas we’ve shared below are generally known as ‘self-care; they are practical actions you can take to reduce stress and optimise your happiness. What better reason is there to start and/or continue practicing self-care?
Here are some of our favourite answers when we asked each other about what we each did to practice self-care:
My puppy
Going for a walk with friends
Talking to my mentor
I go riding
Dog walk :) or spending time in the garden
Sport - exercise - you always feel better for it
Listening to music, yoga, seeing friends, gardening, walking the dog
Looking after a fishpond
Talking to people about my experiences, it normally helps people open up to me
Seeing green spaces, looking at flowers, lighting a candle, chatting to a friend, looking for things to be grateful for
Netball for me - I'm playing my first game of the season tonight and I can’t wait
Escapism - whether reading, listening to music, out in the countryside, a good movie
Having a good rant to my wife about how other people annoy me, then deep breath and go again
Listening to music; having a sing and a dance around to my favourite tunes always lifts my mood
Mindfulness, yoga, meditation, family/friends, colouring, out in nature
Treat yourself kindly
Journaling
Expressing gratitude
Play roller derby
Baking bread
Laughing is the best medicine - listening to funny podcasts helped me through night feeds
Eating bread :)
Isn’t this the best list ever? Why not give one or a few of these a try in your journey of self-care. Or maybe check out the Anna Freud Website which has even more ways to help you feel more yourself.
But if you’re a young person (or know someone that is) with mental health and emotional needs and you’re seeking ongoing support, then you why not find out more about our Affirm Project which is a targeted response to addressing those needs. Please get in touch by clicking the button below.
Our wraparound mentoring support, life planning and especially relational and therapeutic approaches are a fantastic help for young people seeking support for their mental health and emotional needs.