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Give ……….. for Mental Health Awareness Week
Posted on 21st May, 2012
During Mental Health Awareness Week 21-27 May 2012 we are asking everyone to get involved by carrying out acts of kindness for people. Research shows that doing good and helping others is good for your mental health. It can reduce stress, improve your emotional wellbeing and even benefit your physical health. It feels good to give and doesn’t have to be a grand gesture or even cost you money.
You could:
- Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger
- Thank someone
- Smile
- Volunteer your time
- Join a community group
- Look out, as well as in
‘Give’ is one of the five ways to improve our wellbeing and Devon Partnership NHS Trust has produced a range of resources to promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing initiative. A review of the most up-to-date evidence suggests that building the five actions into our day-to-day lives is important for wellbeing. The other actions are:
Connect...
With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Take notice...
Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
Be active...
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.
The resources available, which include a self-help booklet and a film are available to download and view from the Trust website in the Looking after yourself section at www.devonpartnership.nhs.uk
For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk