It's Mental Health Awareness week 10th - 16th May. This was started by The Mental Health Foundation 21 years ago and their theme this year is connecting with Nature. There’s lots of scientific research showing the positive links between spending time in nature and a reduced risk of mental health problems, improved mood and reduced stress.
Looking after our mental health is something we need to invest in, just like our physical health, but how many of us really do that? Developing strategies to care for our mental health is good for us now and can also help us deal with difficult times in the future.
Our theme this year is Connecting: connecting with Nature, connecting with others, and connecting with yourself.
Let's start with the most important relationship you'll ever have: the one with yourself
You live with yourself every single day but how often do you stop and really connect with yourself? Do your perfectionist tendencies make you feel like you’re not good enough? Are you always looking for something or someone else to complete you? Turning your awareness deeper inwards can help you feel more at peace.
It’s not a quick fix but small, daily steps can have a big impact.
Focusing on your breathing helps reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Finding silence is often easier said than done. Learn to manage worries and take a few minutes each day to sit in silence and just be present. This mindfulness meditation may help
Start each day by smiling at yourself. It’s ok to fake it as smiling can make you happy! You could add a positive affirmation too. The relationship with yourself is lifelong so start the day by being nice to yourself
The average person has over 6200 thoughts a day. Sometimes these are negative, unhelpful and not even true. Thinking something doesn’t make it true so don’t let unhelpful thoughts ruin your day and learn how to challenge negative thoughts
If you need help and support, there are people you can talk to on, and off campus:
Student Support & Welfare
Kooth (up to age 25 year)