Take 5 – your seasonal toolkit to wellness

As we move deeper into autumn, with less daylight and a nip in the air, we may also notice a shift in our mood. While some people relish the shorter days and see it as a time to get cosy, rest up and recharge the batteries, others can struggle with the change in routine.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Health and Social Care (HSC) organisations have teamed up for this year’s campaign to encourage people to ’Look after your mental health’ by building 5 different steps into our daily routines.

Connect

Whilst hibernation might seem appealing, it’s important not to withdraw from social interactions, be it in our personal or professional lives. Think of your family/friends/work relationships as the cornerstones of your life and spend time developing them. Keep in touch with people who bring you joy.

Keep learning

Boost your brain by taking up a new hobby or learning something new. It may seem counter-intuitive to add more to your to-do list when you’re feeling stressed, but there is evidence to suggest that learning something new can be one of the most effective ways of reducing stress and calming down your body.

Be active

Moving your body is one of the best things you can do for your mind! Walking, running, cycling, sports, gardening or dancing – whatever it is you like to do, exercising makes you feel good by boosting the endorphins and energy levels. Try and exercise in the daylight to get your daily dose of vitamin D.

Take notice

Stop, pause, or take a moment to look around you. ‘Taking notice’ is connected to mindfulness – a popular meditation practice that encourages people to notice and accept their current thoughts and feelings, whilst staying in the present moment (which means trying not to focus on the past or future). Spend a few minutes thinking about what made you G.L.A.D. today:

G: Something you are Grateful for

L: Something you Learned

A: One small Accomplishment you did

D: Something that brought you Delight

Take a moment to think about how this exercise made you feel.

Give

Do something nice for a friend, colleague, or stranger, thank someone, smile, volunteer your time or consider joining a community group. Look out as well as in. Seeing yourself and your happiness linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you.

Prioritising mental health and wellbeing is something that needs to be done all year round to put us in the best position to deal with the seasons of life, that bring with it highs and lows.

With the toolkit above, take a moment and think about what you are doing to keep your mental health and wellbeing in good health.

Useful links:

• If you or someone you know is in distress or crisis, you can call Lifeline and speak to a trained counsellor 24/7. Call 0808 808 8000.
• If you or someone else is in immediate danger of suicide or you require urgent medical attention, call 999.
• Click here for more information on minding your mental health and support services available.