It is World Mental Health Day on 10th October and we thought… why not share some tips to take care of our mental health as it is of prime importance to lead a healthy and happy life!
At Blue Angel Care, we care about our community, even more so during these uncertain times which have led to an increase in mental health issues like anxiety, depression and loneliness due to strict, but necessary social distancing
rules.
While our high-quality home care services in Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire ensure that our clients lead a happy and independent life, here are a few steps you can take to maintain good mental health!
1. EAT HEALTHY, STAY ACTIVE
Just like a car needs fuel to work, your body needs energy to work. As a key worker during this pandemic, you may be required to work extra hours, invest more energy in daily work and lose track of time.
This can often lead to you compromising on your health and wellbeing. Therefore, take out time for yourself.
Start your day with a bowl of fruits and milk. Maybe a quick 20 mins walk in the evening or run will help you clear your mind. Eating healthy and staying active will help you to stay focused throughout the day and make you feel good about yourself.
2. FEED YOUR SOUL AND MIND
While staying physically fit is crucial to a happy life, peace of mind is just as important.
Take a break, think about the positive impact you are making by caring for others. This will not only boost your self-esteem but would also reassure you of your work and valuable contribution.
There are also free meditation and mindfulness apps available to help you get into the practice of meditation and mindfulness. One free app that we recommend is Headspace, it provides you with access to different guided meditations that you can follow with topics varying from better sleeping patterns, making informed decisions to tackling anxiety- all for free!
3. TALK IT OUT – COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY!
Do you often find yourself worrying about the safety of yourself and your loved ones? Well, so do we! These issues can be tackled by taking out time for yourself and practicing effective communication.
Wondering how to do that? It’s easy!
Pick your phone and talk to your loved one. If you are overwhelmed by work, call your manager – talk to them. Being open and honest helps you and the people around you to be more efficient and helpful.
That’s why we at Blue Angel Care practice an open-door policy where carers or clients can discuss all issues with us without having to wait for an appointment.
4. PRACTICE THE 2 R’S – REASSURE AND REFLECT
It has been a hard day and you are tired, overwhelmed with work and emotions. What do you do next?
The best way to end a day is by reassuring yourself that you have helped the society and done your part.
How do you reassure yourself then? Well, you reflect.
Pick up your pen and start writing a diary. Reflect on what you did throughout the day, what hardships you faced and what you learned from them. This practice will help you to believe in yourself and make you feel more confident and motivated to do even better the next day.
Another part of reassurance comes from the company you work for. Therefore, we at Blue Angel Care not only appreciate and value our carers, but we also take opportunities to show off our angels on our social media channels.
5. RELAXATION AND A GOOD SLEEP
Relaxation is essential but we often skip it. Yes, you might think overworking helps others, but are you really helping others without being in your best form?
Relaxation is essential to keep your mind and body from overworking. How one chooses to relax depends on their preference. While one person likes to have a glass of wine and watch TV to relax, another might choose to hear their favorite song!
Whatever it is, drawing, dancing or binge-watching shows – relax to be more efficient.
Additionally, a night of good sleep is also a type of relaxation which can help you to wake up fresh and ready to take on the day the next morning.
There you have it! If you practice these tips already – bravo! You are doing well and should keep it going, if you aren’t following these steps – it is never too late!
Start them now and share this article with someone who you think might benefit by following these simple steps. You can also check out our article on ‘Keeping safe during COVID‘ for some more tips!
HAPPY WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY TO YOU!
