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Mental Health Awareness Week – five things that are on your doorstep to improve wellbeing
The world is a busy place, and prioritising our mental wellbeing is not always top of the to-do list.
And as a way to help encourage people to change this mindset, Mental Health Awareness Week has been created as a way to highlight how important it is for people to put their psychological health first.
The week runs from May May 15 to 19 and focuses on offering tips to improve your wellbeing, and charity Lancashire Mind have developed a ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ for Lancastrians to follow. It is also hoped this awareness week will drive a surge in donations to help secure a future for the vital mental health support service for children and young people in Lancashire.
“It’s important to prioritise your mental health all year round but Mental Health Awareness Week is a great opportunity to reflect on what you do personally to boost your wellbeing and feel good,” Emma Bateson at Lancashire Mind told LancsLive.
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“We are all different and so the way we look after our mental health will be different too. We recommend using the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which are evidence-based actions, developed by the New Economics Foundation that can make a positive difference to our wellbeing if carried out on a regular basis.”
The Five Ways to Wellbeing
The guide is designed for people to personalise and fit to their own needs. The below steps are simple but proven to be an effective way to improve your mental health.
Connect
“Positive relationships are important for keeping up our spirits. Make sure to take time to engage with others and express an interest. Making an effort to be sociable and really listen will improve your sense of wellbeing.”
- Embrace the moment and have a chat
- Ask someone how they are feeling and really listen
- Speak to someone new and find a shared interest
Why not take up volunteering in your community? You can work as a delivery driver, spend time chatting to a person who is lonely or feeling unwell and help out in a museum, art gallery or community project. To find out more, contact the Lancashire Volunteer Partnership
Keep learning
“Learning new skills or developing existing talents enhances self-esteem and builds confidence. Set a goal, make a plan and learn something new. Continued learning throughout life will satisfy your curiosity and encourage social interaction.”
- Read a book
- Research a subject
- Sign up for a course or class
Most of Lancashire’s bigger town and cities have a public library, where you can spend time browsing the thousands of books across a huge range of subjects and genres. You could also join a local book group.
You can find out more about library services near you, here.
Be active
“Exercise keeps our bodies healthy and makes us feel good too. Incorporate low-impact physical activity into daily life. Getting out and about or simply moving more will boost your mood.”
- Do some stretches or go for a walk
- Join a rambling group or running club
- Organise a group sporting activity
Our pick for getting out and about: Lancashire is brimming with amazing open, green spaces and public parks. Whether it is an urban park such as Avenham & Miller in Preston, Corporation Park in Blackburn, Blackpool’s Stanley Park or Williamson Park in Lancaster. You could head to a more remote country park, such as Yarrow Valley. You can explore a woodland trail in Gisburn Forest, Bowland and Beacon Fell.
You could also go out and take on one of weekly our featured walks.
Take notice
“Being mindful and observant allows us to appreciate the world around us. Reflect on what it is you value and make positive choices. Savouring the moment and enjoying the environment will enhance your self-understanding.”
- Explore your local area and visit new places
- Appreciate nature and wildlife
- Think how other people might be feeling
Lancashire has many tranquil spaces and also areas where wildlife thrive. Visit a reservoir in Rossendale and nature reserve including Warton Crag near Morecambe Bay.
Martin Mere Wetlands and Mere Sands Wood in West Lancashire, Brockholes in Preston and RSPB Leighton Moss are just three ways to connect with nature and wildlife.
Give
“Wellbeing and make you feel good. Committing an act of kindness not only makes someone else happy but boosts your own wellbeing too.”
- Compliment or praise someone
- Offer your help or assistance
- Get involved with a community project
Being kind costs nothing. Be inspired by this cafe in Leyland cafe which gave a grieving mum some hope in a dark time with a random act of kindness.
Please note: If you are a Blackburn with Darwen resident, you are eligible for a free, virtual, Five Ways to Wellbeing workshop. contact [email protected] for more information.
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