Mental health and emotional wellbeing affect all aspects of our lives and health choices. Mental wellbeing is about feeling good and functioning well. It is also about our ability to cope with life’s problems and making the most of life’s opportunities.
Good mental wellbeing doesn't mean that you're always happy. Or that you're unaffected by your experiences. And having good wellbeing doesn't always mean that you don't have a mental health problem. You may live with a mental health problem but have good wellbeing right now. Or you might not have a mental health problem but be struggling with your wellbeing at the moment.
One in four people in the UK have a mental health problem at some point in their lives, which affects their daily life, relationships or physical health. Whether it is a temporary condition caused by stressors in our daily lives or a more long-term condition.
Our mental health also influences our physical health, as well as our capability to lead a healthy lifestyle and to manage and recover from physical health conditions. People with physical health problems, especially long-term conditions, are at increased risk of poor mental health - particularly depression and anxiety. Around 30% of people with any long-term physical health conditions also have a mental health problem.
Poor mental wellbeing can make it more difficult to cope with daily life.
Life can be incredibly busy and filled with stress, which can make it challenging to prioritize our mental well-being. Whether you're grappling with long-term mental health conditions or are currently facing a tough time, we want you to know that our surgery is dedicated to supporting you. We offer a range of services designed to help you cope with life's challenges, including counselling, workshops, and access to mental health professionals who can provide personalized strategies and resources. Your mental health matters, and we are here to assist you every step of the way.
When life becomes overwhelming, establishing a structured routine can significantly aid in managing daily tasks with greater ease and efficiency. A well-defined routine provides a sense of stability and predictability, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. However, if this routine begins to feel repetitive or monotonous, it can create a sense of disconnection from one’s true self and personal passions. This disconnection may manifest as feelings of boredom or dissatisfaction, reminding us of the importance of incorporating variety and spontaneity into our lives. By periodically reassessing and adjusting our routines, we can strike a balance between structure and creativity, ensuring that we remain engaged and connected to our inner selves.
Experiencing a good balance of positive to negative emotions, and judging that your life is going well, are key parts of feeling good. Doing activities that help you to experience a sense of meaning and purpose, a sense of control over your own life, and strong relationships with others, are key parts of functioning well.
To stimulate your mind and reignite your creativity, consider making some intentional changes to your daily routine. Start by turning off your phone and setting aside 20 uninterrupted minutes each day for an activity that you truly love and that brings you joy. This could be a practice such as meditating to center your thoughts and reduce stress, taking a leisurely walk in nature to connect with the environment and clear your mind, exploring your artistic side through painting or drawing, or dedicating time to learn a new language that fascinates you.
Engaging in any of these activities not only provides a much-needed break from daily distractions but also rejuvenates your mind, fueling your creativity and enhancing your productivity for the rest of the day. Making this small commitment can lead to significant improvements in your mental clarity and overall well-being.
We understand the challenges that come with managing mental health, so we have gathered our top tips for self-care that can support you in your daily life.
Tips for Self-Care and Supporting Mental Health:
- Practice yoga, listen to music, meditate, or learn relaxation techniques – These are all activities that have been found to have soothing effects and can be slotted into our busy lives when and where we have the time.
- Eat healthy, well-balanced meals and limit alcohol and caffeine – General Health and happiness are often interconnected. When our bodies feel well it affects how we feel emotionally too.
- Get good, quality sleep, especially when you’re stressed or anxious – Lack of quality sleep can leave us feeling exhausted, making everything more challenging during our waking hours.
- Exercise regularly – Exercise can help reduce stress by releasing pent-up energy and boosting the release of mood-lifting hormones called endorphins.
- Keep a journal – Writing down our thoughts and reflecting on daily challenges fosters emotional clarity. Articulating our experiences allows us to analyze feelings, identify patterns, and gain insights into our well-being. This practice helps process events, alleviates stress, and provides relief as we navigate our lives.
- Talk to your friends and family when you feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed - Maintaining strong relationships and regular communication with friends and loved ones can have a positive impact on mental health. Even if you can't meet in person, try scheduling a phone or video call once a week to catch up.
And most important of all make time for YOU. Relaxation plays a crucial role in alleviating stress. Do you find that spending time with friends makes you feel the most at ease? Think about planning regular outings with your close friends. You might also appreciate receiving a massage, taking a break in the afternoon, exercising, or going to watch a film. Lowering your stress levels can greatly enhance both your mental and physical health. Taking a little time off will help you recharge your energy.
These tips can help with the normal day to day trials and tribulations that most of us face but sometimes we need more help than what we can take on by ourselves. If you find that you are struggling emotionally or being affected by mental health issues, it is best to speak with a professional.
Seeking help is often the first step towards getting and staying well, but it can be hard to know how to start or where to turn to. It's common to feel unsure, and to wonder whether you should try to handle things on your own. But it's always ok to ask for help – even if you're not sure you are experiencing a specific mental health problem.
If you want to improve your mental wellbeing, are feeling anxious or depressed, or life is too difficult right now, there are a range of options available to support you.
Book an appointment with your GP and discuss the problem, they are there to help you and offer guidance and support.
Also, through our PCN funding we are proud to be able to offer the services of our great ARRS roles team. You may benefit from the use of one of our specialist mental health practitioners who can assess whatever difficulties you may be having and guide you to the support best for you. Or perhaps you would benefit from the use of our social prescribers or health and wellbeing coaches? You can find out more HERE about the services we offer and how to book an appointment.
Many support services are available to help you improve your mental health and find happiness. Below you will find some great services from the NHS to help.
NHS Talking Therapies
NHS Talking Therapies – Help Us Help You
The NHS is encouraging anyone struggling with feelings of depression, or anxiety such as excessive worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or obsessions and compulsions, to seek help through NHS Talking Therapies services. These are effective, confidential, and free treatments delivered by trained clinicians, online, on the phone, or in person.
For more information regarding Talking Therapies please follow the link below to view their page on our website. Talking Therapies information.
Better Health - Every Mind Matters
Every Mind Matters is a subset of the NHS Better Health service which focuses on promoting good mental health and wellbeing. They run ongoing national campaigns focusing on different aspects of Mental health and how they can help others, from Loneliness to getting active to promote good mental health to finding your little big thing. Alongside these smaller campaigns they also offer a wealth of advice and access to services and support like their mental health mind plan on their website.
To find out more please visit their page on our website.
Please click on the links below to investigate some of the other services out there.
Mental Wellbeing Apps
You can access online apps that help to promote positive mental wellbeing such as meditation and mindfulness tools for a small fee. They can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and improve sleep and focus. Please click on the links below.
What if I’m worried about someone else’s mental health? How can I help them?
If you’re concerned about a friend or relative, there are things you can do to help them.
The first step is spotting the signs.
- Changes in Mood and Emotions: Watch for prolonged sadness, extreme mood swings, increased irritability, excessive worry or fears, or increased anger.
- Emotional Withdrawal: Have they retreated emotionally from their family and friends spending large amounts of time alone or struggling to open up and share their emotions with those they were once comfortable with?
- Behavioural and Social Changes: Look for withdrawal from friends and activities, a drop in functioning at work or school, or a reluctance to leave the house.
- Physical Changes: Pay attention to significant changes in sleep patterns, appetite, and energy levels. Do they struggle to sleep or sleep to excess? Loss of appetite or extreme overeating?
- Changes in Thinking and Concentration: Extreme difficulty concentrating, confused thinking, or illogical thought processes.
- Decline in Self-Care: Be aware of self-criticism, neglect of personal hygiene, or changes in appearance.
If someone you know is avoiding social situations, disappearing from social media, or showing signs of frustration, it could mean they’re facing mental health challenges.
Show your support by reaching out to them and expressing concern. Have a private conversation, empathize with their feelings, and encourage them to seek professional help if needed. Remember to listen without judgment and continue to offer support afterward. Your intervention may make a difference in their journey to healing.
The conversations might not come easily, but Movember offers a useful guide – ALEC.
Non-urgent advice:
Ask: mention something you've noticed as a way in. "You don't seem quite yourself - are you ok?"
Listen: Give full attention without interrupting and empathise. "That can't be easy, how long have you felt like that?" You don't need to diagnose or problem-solve.
Encourage: suggest some simple steps - eat and sleep well, get enough exercise - and talk to others you trust who might also be worried.
Check-in: try to meet up again soon, either in person or with a call or text. It shows you care, and you can check how they're doing.
Someone who is experiencing mental health problems may find it hard to reach out, so try to keep in touch. A text message or a phone call could make a big difference.
Find out about local services such as talking therapy or support groups. See if there are any specifically for men if you think they’d prefer that. Hub of Hope offers local, national, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services.
Assist them in seeking support by encouraging them to ask for help and assuring them that it is completely acceptable. Let them know that there are resources available to assist them. If they need assistance, offer to help them reach out to their General Practitioner or offer to accompany them to their appointment, if they desire.
Take care of yourself. Looking after someone else can be hard, so make sure you consider your wellbeing too.
CALM has a helpful webpage about what to do if you’re worried someone might be suicidal, including warning signs, what to say and what to do next.
Non-urgent advice:
Please see below for a selection of websites who can help you in spotting the warning signs or helping another with their mental health.
Mental health disorders take many different forms and affect people in different ways. Schizophrenia, depression and personality disorders are all examples of mental health problems. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia generally develop in old age, whereas eating disorders are more common in young people.
All of the above resources suit a range of mental health issues but for more information and targeted support please check out the areas of our website below.