Protect Your Mental Health And Prevent Problems

Protecting our mental health is easier than you think. We can all do this every day, and with simple activities that help us feel better, we are better able to cope with life.

It’s the same for our mental health. It can be fun!

Each of our tips is designed to help us take care of our mental health and, importantly, each is backed up by research evidence, including ground-breaking studies from the Mental Health Foundation.

Our tips will be easy for some and difficult for others. Why not try them and see which one suits you best?

Trying new things can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but the more we practice, the easier they become.

Remember one thing: none of us are perfect. We all have our limits. Good enough for you which is great.

Go closer to nature

We all live with anxiety and fear, uncertainty, a loss that grieves us, and stress that makes us feel stressed.
Some people say that nature helps them feel calmer, more optimistic, and less alone. Our research found that walking was UK adults’ favorite way to deal with stress during the pandemic in 2020.
In Japan, some people use “forest bathing”, which can improve their mental health. So going to a forest or wood and experiencing different smells, sounds, and textures can really help. To get the most out of nature’s healing effects, try attuning your senses to what’s around you—trees, plants, birds and animals, and water like a pond or beach. Take a deep breath and see how you feel. The idea is to connect with your natural environment.
For more information and ideas, see our guide Thriving with Nature, produced by the Mental Health Foundation and wildlife charity WWF.

Learn to understand and control your emotions

Feeling very upset can interfere with our lives, making it hard to think clearly or work, relax, study, sleep, or interact with other people.
Many of us know when we feel sad but aren’t sure what we’re feeling.
Doing so may feel awkward and uncomfortable. But practice and patience with yourself will help.
Naming what we are feeling can also help. So, we can say to ourselves: “I feel really upset today but also sad.” Another helpful step might be to do the work that led us to feel this way – could it be a disagreement or frustration that you’ve had? Some women may find that their period sometimes (or always) affects their mood.
Talking kindly to ourselves, in the same way, we can reassure a young child that we care, is also important. It can be very comfortable. You may feel uncomfortable at first, but let it go – it can only help.
Some people feel better writing down their feelings in a notebook or on their phones. Before doing so you may want to think about how to protect your privacy.
You can try repeating something positive about yourself a few times a day. (This is sometimes called a “mantra.” For example, “I’m on a journey, growing and developing.”) Research shows it reduces negative thoughts and feelings.
Some people find that an activity called “mindfulness” is helpful. Talking to someone else can also be helpful – and this is our next tip…

Protect Your Mental Health And Prevent Problems