Maintaining mental wellness
Sometime making slight changes to our daily routines can promote our mental wellness and that of our colleagues and loved ones at the same time.
Taking note from the Scottish Governments Healthier Scotland toolkit, we sieved through some helpful hints and tips for supporting you to look after your own mental health.
Tip 1 - Limit how much media you consume
Sometimes we are surround by multimedia channels which continually report on negative, worrying and graphic news stories; all of which are unsettling and can lead to anxiety and feelings of stress.
Yes it’s important to keep up to date on factual information from a reliable source, just be sure to limit the negative stories and surround yourself with positivity.
Tip 2 – Sleep well and rest
Cutting down on screen time when you go to bed can help you relax and unwind. Remember cutting out mass media reporting is increasingly important, particularly around bedtime. Maybe try a different routine.
It’s also good to allow for sleep, rest and respite between shifts and work. Do something that you find relaxing to promote this: a hot bath, reading a book or going for a leisurely walk.
Tip 3 – Eat well
We are what we eat! Eating a healthy balanced diet and staying hydrated helps give you more energy and promotes a healthy mindset.
We all know that sugary treats taste good at the time but all too quickly we take a dip and crave more sugar.
Tip 4 – Stay connected
With lockdowns and restrictions on who we can see and how often, it’s all too easy to retract from society. However, friends and loves ones are a big factor in maintaining our personal happiness, make sure you stay connected with them. Sometimes a good natter cleanses your soul.
Tip 5 – Exercise
Exercising releases endorphins, the chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain. Endorphins are released naturally during gentle exercise such as walking, jogging, cycling or swimming (to name a few). Therefore, regular exercise promotes internal happiness and often helps clear your mind.
Tip 6 – Talking
You and your colleagues are sharing experience, therefore, the best people to talk to about how you are feeling are those in the same position as you. You never know, they may just be feeling the same way as you and by you talking, it’s helping them too.
Quite rooms in homes are available for you to take some time to regroup if things get too much. Use this space when you need it.
Remember everyone goes through tough times, but there is support out there Reaching out can be the first step to healing.
Resources for support include:
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org
Breathing Space: www.breathingspace.scot | tel:0800 83 85 87
SAMH: www.samh.org.uk
For health care workers
Scottish Government Promis: www.promis.scot/
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): https://www.caresourcer.com/
Image source: Zakaria Masjid and Education Centre
