What do you do to improve your mental health?

I cook, walk and read.  Cooking requires shopping which gets me out of the house, as does walking.  I meet and chat to people regularly and they aren't offended if I clearly don't feel up to it.  I saw a lady with ADHD recently on the telly, and she said that a lot of mentally unwell people find something they enjoy, and stick to it.  In her case it was Chess - in mine it's cooking.  I am on good terms with my closest neighbours as well as the wider community, and like to think that our chats over the garden wall have been mutually beneficial.

Campaigns to promote other forms of communications away from digital devices and social media, for example, keep sending letters by post. I believe that shift will improve the mental health of millions, specially the youth. 

Right then, mental health. It's all the rage these days, isn't it? Everyone's talking about their feelings and needing 'self-care'. Seems a bit self-indulgent if you ask me, but what do I know?

If you're asking what I do, well, I've always believed in a bit of old-fashioned common sense and getting on with it. We didn't have all these fancy terms back in my day. You felt a bit down, you bucked up. Simple as that.

Now, I'm not saying you should just ignore things, but all this dwelling on your inner turmoil... it can't be healthy. A bit of self-discipline goes a long way. Find something useful to do, keep busy. I always find tinkering in the workshop or even just tackling those little jobs around the house – the ones I usually put off – can take your mind off things.

As for the spiritual side of things, well, I went to Sunday school. A bit of faith and a connection to something bigger than yourself never did anyone any harm, provided it's the genuine article and not all just show.

Family's important, too, if you're lucky enough to have a good one. Strong family ties and reliable relatives can be a real anchor. Someone you can actually talk to without them immediately suggesting you need therapy. Of course, modern life has a way of messing those things up for people, hasn't it?

And a good, solid basic education – learning to think straight, understanding the world around you – that's crucial. Not all this modern fluff, but the fundamentals. It gives you a foundation to stand on, makes you less likely to get swept away by every passing fad or worry.

And there's something to be said for that old British spirit, isn't there? "Keep Calm and Carry On." Not making a fuss, just getting through things. We got through a war with that attitude, so a few little mental wobbles shouldn't be beyond us. It's about resilience and not letting every little thing knock you for six.

So, there you have it. No fancy mindfulness or avocado toast involved. Just self-discipline, maybe a bit of faith

I have been lucky enough to have had exceptional care under a Psychiatrist, through work Private Medical insurance. Whilst I do attribute my recovery to a combination of factors, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions, and consistent practise, the single most effective resource recommended to me, and that I'd recommend to anyone is:

Overcoming Anxiety (2nd Edition) - Helen Kennerly. 

Please be patient with your recovery and continue to look at other resources if you're so inclined, but this is the bible to a strong recovery!

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I'm engaging with my mental health rather than brushing it under the carpet by taking a course in Psychology in my fifth decade. Never too late to start!

I also, as do many psychology students, have a questionnaire I'd like invite people to take part in, on nature connection and wellbeing.

It's entirely voluntary, and should take no longer than 15-30 minutes, and open to all those aged 18 years and above.

If you can let me know if or where I may share this? 

I visit a really wonderful pay-as-you-feel café in Waltham Forest called The Gleaners, which also provides a really wonderful sense of community. It helps my mental health a great deal, but the mental health issues are also generated by socio-economic circumstances: London is very expensive and lacking in social housing, for example. A serious deficit in the re-distribution of wealth is present. Also, I won't go into too much details, but I am disabled - I have significant mental health issues that have really precluded me from joining the workforce as much as I'd like. I'd love to be able to talk and interact with other people the way 'neurotypical' people do. As it is, I cannot - so community spaces like The Gleaners help a lot. I sit there and eat an affordable healthy meal and feel like I am not alone, even though on a day-to-day basis, I generally am. But the bottom line is that no community spaces or cafés are going to plug in the more fundamental problem, which has also been discussed here - that socio-economic inequalities and London being so expensive produce mental health issues that nothing else but removing those inequalities and redistributing wealth will fix, in my opinion. 

Fast response from the 

Team

I strive to be kind to other Londoners, smile and do at least one good deed everyday. 

I always shout thank you to bus drivers, train staff and service staff as I think its important to recognise the contributions everyone plays to making London a great place to live. London is not the unfriendly place many people state. If you give out negative vibes and energy and always moan, you get that in return 10x over. 

What do you do to improve your own mental health?

Make sure I do some self-care regularly. Activities that bring me joy and help my mind and body recover from the stresses of everyday life need to be scheduled in, otherwise they get pushed aside. 

I spend time wiith friends and family, get out in nature (green and blue), particpate in creative mindfullness activities, sit in slience letting the tension flow through my body and out of my toes into the floor. I used too have a kitchen disco on my own to relax but as I have got older, what helps me has changed. 

What makes you feel connected to others?

Quality social time spent physically with close trusted friends, cultural and arts events, volunteering, some soocial media platforms. 

What do you do to support others in your community?

I am a MHFAider, I run happiness workshops, sleep workshops, facilitate creative workshops and men's heallth and wellbeing and discussion groups. 

I think getting outdoors is key to improving mental health. Having an allotment or access to a community plot is a great way to meet others & support each other. Every borough should have shared spaces for their communities

I walk the dog and pay no attention to the natural, endless stream of thoughts going through my head.  I understand others have their own beliefs and world views and leave them to it. I help others, regularly give to charity.