Author: Rino R

The 1^st February marked Time to Talk day 2024. Run my Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, the day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health and by talking about it we can support ourselves and others. We had a fantastic turn out for our drop-in event at the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space.

Self-care techniques and general lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms of many mental health problems. They may also help prevent some problems from developing or getting worse. Here are some tips for looking after yourself that you might find helpful:

• Stay aware of your mental health and wellbeing:
  • Spot your early warning signs – These will be unique to you, but it can be useful to watch out for and reflect on any signs you may be becoming unwell.
  • Keep a mood diary – tracking your mood can help to identify what makes you feel better or worse. You can then take steps to avoid, change or prepare for difficult situations.
• Stay connected with family, friends, and community:
  • Feeling connected can help you to feel valued and confident in yourself and can give you a different perspective on things. If you don’t have supportive friends and family around you and are feeling isolated, there are other ways you can make connections. For example, you could try going to community events where you might have some interests or experiences in common with other people there or joining a group like a local book club or sports team.
• Try peer support groups:
  • When you experience a mental health problem it can feel like no one understands. Peer support brings together people who’ve had similar experiences to support each other.
  • At the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space, we run a weekly peer support group called Connect and Cope. This covers topics such as Anxiety, Sleep, Low Mood, Stress, Self-Esteem and Grief and Bereavement. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact us to be added to the list.
  • Our in-house Psychology team also offer a range of groups throughout the year please contact us to enquire about what Psychology groups are running now.
• Make time for therapeutic activities:
  • Relaxation – you may already know what helps you relax, like having a bath, listening to music or taking your dog for a walk. If you know that a certain activity helps you feel more relaxed, make sure you set aside time to do it.
  • Mindfulness – mindfulness is a therapeutic technique that involves being more aware of the present moment. This can mean both outside, in the world around you, and inside, in your feelings and thoughts. Practising mindfulness can help you become more aware of your own moods and reactions, but not everyone finds mindfulness helpful.
  • Affirmations – using affirmations and positive messages can help lift your mood and can help you to see things from a new perspective.
• Look after your physical health:
  • Get enough sleep
  • Keep physically active – this does not have to be strenuous, pick something you enjoy and/or start with something gentle.
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol – in the long run they can make you feel a lot worse.
  • Make time for personal care
  • Eat healthily
• Reach out to professionals for support.
  • You can drop in for support at the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space between 10am and 1pm, Monday to Saturday. Support Workers will be available to speak with you about your situation and will be able to ensure you are accessing the appropriate support.