What do you do to improve your mental health?

Embrace the community! Join a club, check out ads for local events/classes in your local supermarket, volunteer, see if there are any events on at your local library/community centre. It's so easy to become isolated in today's world but sometimes but sometimes you have to just put yourself out there.

Connect with nature by going for a walk anywhere there are trees, plants, birds or water. London is becoming overdeveloped but there still some good parks. Just finding somewhere that is away from noise and people rushing about can be very calming. Bring nature into your home with plants. Even a visit to a local garden centre can be a treat.

Learn some Qigong – or some kind of mindful breathing with gentle movement. 

Realise there is a bigger picture to life than the one we are sold by society. You don’t have to be religious or spiritual to do this, just curious and willing to approach everyone and everything you meet with an open heart. 

Try and treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. Give unconditionally because you truly care not because you expect something back or feel you should. 

Be willing to go with the flow of life. As Ram Dass, the spiritual teacher once said: ‘There are no errors in the game.’ What we have been conditioned to think is bad often has a helpful purpose that cannot be seen at the time. Only when you look back on your life can you see the transforming patterns. 

Connect with your senses and discover what makes you feel calm and happy – a certain fragrance, a musical song, a beautiful image, a soft fabric or toy. 

Look up! Forget about your smartphones for a while and observe the sky and its beauty; the clouds and birds. Know that you are part of this universal wonder. Stay observant to all that goes on around you and you will never be bored. 

Make something. Anything. Make food, it you like to cook, make a paper plane, make a piece of knitting or crochet (you may well find there are people around who would love to teach you how, if you don't know), get something from a charity shop and embroider on it or sew it into a different thing! There are loads of ideas for all kinds of things crafty and for gardens on Youtube and suchlike. Making things is satisfying. You can often find cheap supplies in charity shops too.

Have seen something from ThriveLDN to improve mental health of Londoners. With council tax doubled since late last year this has lead to more stress and financial pressure. Did you consider the fact that we were in the midst of a cost of living crisis at the time? Living with anti social neighbours on 2 sides adds even more stress (yes the local authority knows and has asked one - 1 - to be more considerate which has had zero effect). It would be helpful to know if there was any impact analysis before raiding our income at the same time as every other utility (Thames Water, etc.)? 

I write. I read. I walk. I sing. I dance. I learn new things. I speak to people that others may ignore. I work (I enjoy my job). I plan future things. Even though 6 sessions of counselling may be plenty for some, for some like me, it really is just a strip of plaster over a gaping wound so I pay for this myself. Best thing I have ever done but what of those who cannot afford it? Sadly, it was acknowledged that I could benefit from long term support, it was almost a shrug of the shoulders (I could almost hear them shouting next). One size does not fit all when it comes to mental health support. London does have a batch of groups helping and supporting people with their mental health. And I attend when I can. What of those who cannot get to these? So I have the ability to mix and match to help me help myself. 

• Drink plenty of water.
• Walk barefoot on the grass.
• Exercise.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Look at the sky.
• Admire and analyze any art.
• Play an instrument.
• Eat an apple a day and keep the doctors away from you.
• Smile at yourself in the mirror.
• Read books that expand your consciousness.
• Study quantum physics and know that this is all just a projection, a quantum experience.

I have found religious organisations  really helpful. 

It takes effort, but really try to become isolated from people.   Take opportunities to join local clubs and societies and/or volunteer for one of the many many charities locally.   Libraries will have details of local groups:   Book Clubs, Environmental pressure groups, food banks, charity shops.   Volunteering doesn't cost anything so good for everyone.   It takes courage to take the first steps, but being with people with shared goals is always comforting.

Right 2 Thrive UK – Tackling Mental Health in Enfield Through Culture, Care, and Community

At Right 2 Thrive UK, we’re tackling mental health challenges head-on in some of the most deprived areas of Enfield, where persistent knife crime, fear, and trauma have deeply affected our young people. Based in Edmonton Green, we’ve created a safe, culturally grounded Wellbeing Hub where young people—particularly those from Black communities—can access early, trauma-informed mental health support.

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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