Meditation relaxes the body and mind through breathing techniques and mindfulness. It can help reduce stress and anxiety by encouraging you to notice and let go of worries. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system to release tension.
Meditation relaxes the body and mind through breathing techniques and mindfulness. It can help reduce stress and anxiety by encouraging you to notice and let go of worries. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system to release tension.
This year’s theme is action; for yourself, for someone else, and for all of us.
Small actions can help: open a window, get outside or take five quiet minutes for yourself.
#MHAW2026 #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ActionForMentalHealth #InspiringCommunities
This year’s theme is action; for yourself, for someone else, and for all of us.
Small actions can help: open a window, get outside or take five quiet minutes for yourself.
#MHAW2026 #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ActionForMentalHealth #InspiringCommunities
People who regularly engage in hobbies are less likely to experience low moods. Hobbies play a crucial role in mitigating anxiety, stress and depression, and help foster a sense of purpose and fulfilment, ultimately enhancing the quality of life.
People who regularly engage in hobbies are less likely to experience low moods. Hobbies play a crucial role in mitigating anxiety, stress and depression, and help foster a sense of purpose and fulfilment, ultimately enhancing the quality of life.
If you are struggling with your mental health, talk to someone. You are not alone. There are many support options available for healthcare professionals including counselling, guidance, addiction support and more.
Visit buff.ly/ARXw6IP to learn more.
If you are struggling with your mental health, talk to someone. You are not alone. There are many support options available for healthcare professionals including counselling, guidance, addiction support and more.
Visit buff.ly/ARXw6IP to learn more.
Everyone faces challenges like stress and worry. A good coping method builds resilience and self-awareness to handle stressful situations in better ways.
Healthy coping methods include exercise, deep breathing, and reframing negative thoughts.
Everyone faces challenges like stress and worry. A good coping method builds resilience and self-awareness to handle stressful situations in better ways.
Healthy coping methods include exercise, deep breathing, and reframing negative thoughts.
A 2025 study found that students who spent less time on their smartphones had better sleep and fewer depressive symptoms. Less screen time also means more time for stress-busting activities like hobbies and exercise!
Read more at buff.ly/eDPQ7ex
A 2025 study found that students who spent less time on their smartphones had better sleep and fewer depressive symptoms. Less screen time also means more time for stress-busting activities like hobbies and exercise!
Read more at buff.ly/eDPQ7ex
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include oily fish, flaxseed and soybeans. A 2024 study found that young mice with stress-induced depression could be treated with omega-3s.
Read more: buff.ly/2ZRljkB.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include oily fish, flaxseed and soybeans. A 2024 study found that young mice with stress-induced depression could be treated with omega-3s.
Read more: buff.ly/2ZRljkB.
Massage and bodywork triggers the parasympathetic nervous system to lower blood pressure and heart rate so we feel more calm. It reduces the production of stress hormones, relieves symptoms of mental distress, and releases serotonin and dopamine.
Massage and bodywork triggers the parasympathetic nervous system to lower blood pressure and heart rate so we feel more calm. It reduces the production of stress hormones, relieves symptoms of mental distress, and releases serotonin and dopamine.
Goal-setting boosts motivation and confidence. When we accomplish goals, we feel empowered and this helps our mindset.
The SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timed) helps to create realistic goals, preventing demotivation.
Goal-setting boosts motivation and confidence. When we accomplish goals, we feel empowered and this helps our mindset.
The SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timed) helps to create realistic goals, preventing demotivation.
Alcohol has a well-documented impact on our brain chemistry and can increase the risk of panic attacks, depression and impulsive behaviour. Excessive drinking can cause brain damage, and increases the risk of mental illness and suicidal thoughts.
Alcohol has a well-documented impact on our brain chemistry and can increase the risk of panic attacks, depression and impulsive behaviour. Excessive drinking can cause brain damage, and increases the risk of mental illness and suicidal thoughts.
Preparing or planning meals ahead of time can reduce daily stress and mental exertion surrounding food. It also helps with healthier eating choices as decision fatigue can often lead to impulsive and less health-conscious food selections.
Preparing or planning meals ahead of time can reduce daily stress and mental exertion surrounding food. It also helps with healthier eating choices as decision fatigue can often lead to impulsive and less health-conscious food selections.
It can be hard to process our emotions and to put our feelings into words. Journaling encourages self-awareness and aids in problem-solving and emotional regulation. Those who journal for as little as 20 minutes a day report higher life satisfaction.
It can be hard to process our emotions and to put our feelings into words. Journaling encourages self-awareness and aids in problem-solving and emotional regulation. Those who journal for as little as 20 minutes a day report higher life satisfaction.
A 2015 study found that 'me-time' is more beneficial if it involves freely chosen activities so take some time to do something that you enjoy. High-quality 'me-time' is linked to better psychological wellbeing and increased productivity.
A 2015 study found that 'me-time' is more beneficial if it involves freely chosen activities so take some time to do something that you enjoy. High-quality 'me-time' is linked to better psychological wellbeing and increased productivity.
Setting and maintaining boundaries is a healthy way to prevent overload and stress. By saying no, you build self-confidence, becomes aware of your limits. It also strengthens relationships as it helps others value your time and lessens resentment.
Setting and maintaining boundaries is a healthy way to prevent overload and stress. By saying no, you build self-confidence, becomes aware of your limits. It also strengthens relationships as it helps others value your time and lessens resentment.
It's easy to fall into the same, tired patterns which can make us feel down. Adding novelty to routines releases dopamine which boosts mood, aids memory and helps life to feel more rewarding.
Even small changes can have a big impact.
It's easy to fall into the same, tired patterns which can make us feel down. Adding novelty to routines releases dopamine which boosts mood, aids memory and helps life to feel more rewarding.
Even small changes can have a big impact.
We all feel negative or have negative thoughts from time to time but frequent negative thinking can be a significant source of stress. Challenging these thoughts and reframing situations in a more positive light can reduce stress and anxiety.
We all feel negative or have negative thoughts from time to time but frequent negative thinking can be a significant source of stress. Challenging these thoughts and reframing situations in a more positive light can reduce stress and anxiety.
Poor mental health can make imagining a positive future difficult. Making plans builds optimism, and having something good to look forward to increases motivation, excitement and hope for the future.
Poor mental health can make imagining a positive future difficult. Making plans builds optimism, and having something good to look forward to increases motivation, excitement and hope for the future.
Eating together boosts oxytocin which promotes relaxation and bonding. A Chinese study from 2024 suggests that communal eating experiences may help reduce loneliness and emotional distress among older adults.
Learn more at buff.ly/31jUmOk.
Eating together boosts oxytocin which promotes relaxation and bonding. A Chinese study from 2024 suggests that communal eating experiences may help reduce loneliness and emotional distress among older adults.
Learn more at buff.ly/31jUmOk.
Creative hobbies engage our subconscious mind and help us to process complex emotions by exploring how we feel. A 2016 study found that those who spent time on creative goals had more positive moods. Learn more at doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1257049.
Creative hobbies engage our subconscious mind and help us to process complex emotions by exploring how we feel. A 2016 study found that those who spent time on creative goals had more positive moods. Learn more at doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1257049.
Helping others boosts happiness, promotes connection, and alleviates stress. Acts of kindness like holding the lift or giving directions release neurochemicals like oxytocin to strengthen social bonds and lift self-esteem.
Learn more at buff.ly/32SotNf.
Helping others boosts happiness, promotes connection, and alleviates stress. Acts of kindness like holding the lift or giving directions release neurochemicals like oxytocin to strengthen social bonds and lift self-esteem.
Learn more at buff.ly/32SotNf.
Studies in 2023 found that trying deliberate ways to express being thankful had a significant beneficial impact on mental wellbeing. Those who regularly reflected on positive things had better mental health and greater life satisfaction.
Studies in 2023 found that trying deliberate ways to express being thankful had a significant beneficial impact on mental wellbeing. Those who regularly reflected on positive things had better mental health and greater life satisfaction.
Research shows that spending time in a natural environment decreases activity in stress-related brain networks. A 2021 survey by the Mental Health Foundation showed that 49% of UK adults feel that being close to nature helps them cope with stress.
Research shows that spending time in a natural environment decreases activity in stress-related brain networks. A 2021 survey by the Mental Health Foundation showed that 49% of UK adults feel that being close to nature helps them cope with stress.
Aerobic exercise releases endorphins and other neurochemicals which help boost mood. Studies have also found that aerobic exercise increases cognitive capacity, helps to reduce stress and incidence of depression and may even improve episodic memory.
Aerobic exercise releases endorphins and other neurochemicals which help boost mood. Studies have also found that aerobic exercise increases cognitive capacity, helps to reduce stress and incidence of depression and may even improve episodic memory.
A healthy adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep. Good quality sleep improves our ability to manage our emotions and helps us concentrate. People who have poor sleep or who are sleep deficient are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, or suicide.
A healthy adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep. Good quality sleep improves our ability to manage our emotions and helps us concentrate. People who have poor sleep or who are sleep deficient are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, or suicide.
Novelty, such as trying new hobbies or exploring new environments promotes dopamine release. Dopamine helps with memory and uplifts our moods to make life feel more rewarding. Trying new things also aids neuroplasticity and cognitive function.
Novelty, such as trying new hobbies or exploring new environments promotes dopamine release. Dopamine helps with memory and uplifts our moods to make life feel more rewarding. Trying new things also aids neuroplasticity and cognitive function.