World mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day takes place on 10th October 2017. This is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. I am due to deliver some mindfulness training for John Lewis in Leeds as part of their World Mental Health Day programme. This is a world wide opportunity for thousands of supporters to come together to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on people’s lives.
Let’s talk about Mental Health
For many people this is an chance to speak out about the way in which mental illness affects them. Mental health problems are common. According to the Mental Health Foundation in the UK just under 1 in 7 people are experiencing mental health issues at work, depression affects 22% of men over 65 years and 28% of women and one person in fifteen has made a suicide attempt at some point in their lives. These are just a few of the statistics.
What can we do to improve our mental health
Our mental health is very important affecting our thoughts, feelings and interactions with others everyday. Here are some ways in which you can take care of your mental health:
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Practice meditation – Spending just a few minutes each day meditating can reduce anxiety, improve sleep and help us to cope with every day stress. This practice allows us to step out of autopilot mode and settle the constant chatter of our minds.
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Being present – Spending time really focusing on the task you are doing, especially if it is a task or hobby that you enjoy can make you feel really good. Having a passion is very good for your self worth and happiness.
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Let it go – We have hundreds of thoughts a day and it is very easy for our minds to become hooked on a certain train of thought. This is particularly true of the negative ones. You can learn to become an observer of your thoughts. Rather than believing everything that pops into your head you can learn to let go of the negative thoughts as they arise.
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You are what you eat – Mind and body are connected so whatever you are eating is feeding your mind. Maintaining a healthy balanced diet can boost mood. Sugary foods can have a powerful effect on our feelings and upset hormones.
You may be struggling with a mental health problem now, know someone who is suffering or have experienced issues in the past. There is help out there World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to speak out and find that help.
Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness can help with a wide range of mental health problems please contact me on 07769892376 to find out more and follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
