How to keep on top of your mental health

Mental health is a serious concern, according to Mind, one in six people in the UK experiencing a problem in the last week alone. However, it remains a taboo subject for many, with people often reluctant to talk about it openly.

The good news is there are some easy steps you can take to improve your mental well-being and look after your overall mental health. Try these 4 top tips;

Pick up the phone to discuss mental health

It often seems easier to send a text or an email instead of actually speaking to someone. The truth, however, is that building social relationships is a fundamental human need and has been proven to help ward off mental health issues.

So instead of sending an email to your Aunt in Australia, pick up the phone and speak to her – or, even better, get on Skype. And how about an old friend? If current restrictions allow you to, arrange a time to meet up for a coffee and catch up in person.

Stay active to look after your mental health

One of the foundations of good mental health is good physical health. Keeping active can help reduce the likelihood of depression and anxiety, and even helps slow age-related cognitive decline.

Why not take the stairs instead of the lift when you go to the department store or get off the bus one stop early?

Depending on the area you live, you could even join a sports club such as badminton or netball, which has the added bonus of building social networks and boosting self-esteem.

Find mindfulness and improve your well-being

Mindfulness seems to be the buzzword doing the rounds on internet forums and self-help YouTube channels, but it really does work.

Taking time out to ‘live in the moment’ and appreciate your surroundings can help alleviate stress and reduce anxiety.

Yoga is another great way of getting away from the stresses of everyday life. It also helps build strength and flexibility, improves your posture, and is a great way to start the day relaxed and stress free. There are plenty of great videos on YouTube if you're unable to get to attend a class.

Give your brain a workout

Word games and puzzles not only provide a good form of distraction when life may feel like it is getting too much, they also help boost brain power, which in turn helps reduce the impact of age-related cognitive decline.

Everything from Sudoku and word searches to computer-based puzzle games can help, and they are also great fun!