5 steps to Mental Wellbeing
In order for us to live happy, healthy lives, we must take care of not only our physical health, but also our mental health and wellbeing.
Mentalhealth.gov describes mental health as “our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act.
How we feel psychologically, can significantly impact our behaviours, our mood, and the way we think about things. Here in the UK, we’re still displaying a stigma surrounding poor mental health as people are reluctant to accept or to recognise that they could benefit from professional support.
This could be because many people don’t realise just how common mental health problems are, therefore feel nervous or embarrassed to seek out help.
Mind.org.uk explains that “1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England”. In addition to this, “1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England”.
These statistics might surprise you, however these are real people living with real mental health problems which are negatively impacting their lives. We must do more to raise awareness around poor mental health and what we can do to normalise it, support it, and hopefully prevent it.
What are examples of Mental Health problems?
Different people will deal with mental health problems in different ways, but there are some which are more common than others.
These include mixed anxiety and depression (8 in 100 people), generalised anxiety disorder (6 in 100 people), post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD (4 in 100 people), depression (3 in 100 people), phobias (2 in 100 people), obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD (1 in 100 people), and panic disorder (fewer than 1 in 100 people).
More complex conditions can be measured by how many people will be given this diagnosis over the course of their lifetime.
These include antisocial personality disorder (3 in 100 people in their lifetime), borderline personality disorder (2 in 100 people in their lifetime), bipolar disorder (2 in 100 people in their lifetime), and psychotic disorders including schizophrenia (fewer than 1 in 100 people in any given year); all of the above statistics were taken from ming.org.uk.
How can we help with improving Mental Health?
Here at Cassiobury Court, we offer comprehensive treatment services for individuals suffering from a wide variety of mental health problems. Our fantastic team are highly trained in delivering evidence-based therapies and other ways to improve mental wellbeing.
We’ll take you through a pre-screening process to establish the severity of the issue and then design a personalised treatment programme using our fantastic mental wellbeing resources which suits your unique needs.
One of the most effective ways to help with mental wellbeing is to undergo cognitive behavioural therapy. This is a great way for our skilled team of experts to challenge your thoughts and emotions in a safe and controlled environment, with the aim to address your mental health in a professional and helpful way.
What are the 5 steps to Mental Wellbeing?
Evidence from research conducted by the New Economics Foundation suggests that there are 5 steps that you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing.
1. Connect: It’s a fundamental human need to want to feel close to and valued by other people. Maintaining positive relationships with others gives you an opportunity to share your experiences, helps you to build a sense of self-worth, and creates a safe space to emotionally support each other. Technology and social media have drastically impacted how we connect with others. It’s very easy to avoid face to face contact now by simply looking at your phone. But there are ways to help with mental wellbeing by making time each day for your family or partner, switch off the TV and engage in some conversation or activity together.
2. Stay active: Participating in frequent physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety, increased self-esteem, and is essential for promoting positive wellbeing. However, it’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself. Keeping fit is a good way to set yourself realistic goals doing something that you enjoy like walking, running, swimming, cycling, or dancing; the benefits of exercise for mental health and wellbeing are endless.
3. Take notice: This might sound simple but by paying more attention to the present moment, you strengthen your awareness which helps you to enjoy life more, understand yourself better and make positive decisions; some people call this mindfulness. You could take notice of how your colleagues, friends or family are feeling, clear out the clutter at home, or simply get a plant for your workspace.
4. Give to others: Studies have shown that individuals who spend time helping others, are more likely to be happy themselves. Showing an act of kindness once a day is associated with an increase in wellbeing by creating a sense of reward and self-worth. It could be as simple as asking some how they are and taking the time to really listen, saying thank you to someone, or just smiling at someone on the street. These simple acts of kindness could make a difference to someone’s day whilst also improving yours.
5. Develop new skills: Taking the time and effort to learn new skills can significantly boost your confidence and in some cases, help you to connect with others. It doesn’t have to be a difficult, time-consuming task, you could read a new book, learn a new word, sign up for a class, start a DIY project, cook something new, or learn how to paint. It’s up to you, whatever makes you feel more positive.
If you’re feeling as though you need extra support to improve your mental health, remember these 5 steps to mental wellbeing. If you feel as though you could benefit from additional support, we’re always here to help you. Call us on 01923 369 161 or email info@cassioburycourt.com.
