Tips On How To Improve Your Mental Health

Every Day should be Mental Health Awareness Day, however it is still important to shed the light on this highly important topic intensively each year. Roughly 1 in 4 people in the UK suffer from anxiety and/or depression, over half of them not speaking up about it. Yearly the numbers of those who are affected with a mental health disorder increase which is why it is important to constantly spread awareness. At our Students Union we are hosting activities and talks all around that topic from the 4th of March to 8th of March. Here are tips on how to improve your mental health and why it is important to speak up about it.

Exercise!

As dull as it sounds - but working out can help to improve your mental health enormously as it release dopamine which stimulates your general well-being and energy. Hate the gym? Sign up at a dancing class or perhaps try out boxing? Not the sporty kinda person? Schedule long walks through the parks - the fresh air and physical activity will do you good, undoubtedly.

Open up to someone!

Depending on the severity of your mental health issues you don't need even need to go to the therapist in order to speak about what you're feeling. Often it can be a huge relief to just speak about with your best friend, your significant other or your parents - nobody will judge you! It can be incredibly overwhelming to share your feelings with others due to the fear of being misunderstood, but your feelings will get worse by keeping them entirely to yourself. It is important to know that you're never alone in this.

Get yourself a colouring book!

No, colouring books are not only for kids - in fact, there are some specifically made for those who suffer from anxiety, depression and ADHD - among other. It is proven to calm you down enormously, so why not try that out? You won't know whether it can improve your situation before you try it out.

Meditate!

Meditation is a significant asset that can improve bad mental health to a rather high extend. It doesn't even take up much of your time - make sure you get up to 10 minutes of down time before you go to bed or after you have just woken up (or both) and dedicate this time to meditating. There are great apps which have guided meditation, such as HeadSpace, and also YouTube offers a broad selection. [no ad, just recommendations]

Disclaimer: if you suffer heavily from severe depression or other mental health disorders please do see a doctor.