We are now halfway through the first month of 2021 and with a new year comes a range of new and old challenges to face in regards to mental health. With today being dubbed ‘Blue Monday’, we understand that funds are low at this point in time, daylight hours have dwindled and our weather is more rain than sunshine.
That being said, January is always a tough month for a lot of people, and this year is no different. Looking ahead at the new year is daunting, and being in the middle of a lockdown with so much uncertainty in the air isn’t helping. However, we don’t want this post to be all doom and gloom, so we thought we’d share some positive mental health tips and reminders that could be useful for the year ahead.
Self care Is important.
Last year building a routine helped me get through the toughest parts of 2020. Making sure to take lunch breaks is key. They’re there for a reason and allow you to spend your time as you please. So I urge you to use this time to go out and walk (weather permitting), listen to a podcast, get some reading in or play some video games. Making sure that you’re taking the time for self care will benefit you greatly.
Talk to others.
This year more than ever people may find themselves alone more than ever. It’s important to be able to spot the signs if one of your friends or family members may not be feeling ok during this time. This year has been especially challenging for children, so keeping the conversation going with them is key. The most important thing to do here is ask.
Time to Change recently ran a campaign called Ask Twice, all about checking in on others during this time. Here’s what they have to say on the matter:
1.Check in
If someone doesn’t feel ready to meet face-to-face, picking up the phone, having a video call, starting a group chat or messaging someone on social media lets them know you are there to talk and ready to listen.
2.Listen and reflect
Whether you have a mental health problem or not, this will be a challenging time for our mental health and wellbeing. If someone opens up to you, remember that you don’t need to fix things or offer advice. Often just listening, and showing you take them seriously, can help someone to manage.
3.Ask questions
Ask how people are managing and ask again if you’re worried that they aren’t sharing the full picture. Asking again, with interest, can help someone to open up and explore what they’re feeling.
WAYS TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAYS
PositivityFest brought to you by Hearst
Today, Monday 18th January 2021, join Hearst for PositivityFest, a jam-packed day of mood-boosting virtual events, talks and activities.
For more details and to register click here
Free Arts and Culture
Google Arts and Culture platform partnered with 1200 leading museums and archives to show their exhibits online and offer virtual tours here
Other museums have offered their own virtual tours:
Be Inspired and Create like an Artist from Tate
- From Painting to print to collage – https://www.tate.org.uk/art/create-artist
- They also offer some fun creative activities like Draw a friend, make pop art like Warhol and more! Check it out at https://www.tate.org.uk/kids/make
Free comedy
Lots of big names including Robin Ince, Al Murray and Josie Long are playing the Stay at Home festival from the Cosmic Shambles Network. All the shows, for now, will be live only and free to watch, though donations are being encouraged. Check cosmicshambles.com/stayathome.
Feel Good TV
Radio times has pulled together 12 TV shows to keep your spirits up during lockdown.
From feel-good sitcoms to bonkers competition series, these small-screen offerings will help you through a long winter.
Free digital books and magazines
Audible, part of Amazon.com, has released a collection of hundreds of free audiobooks for children kept home from school. Go to stories.audible.com/start-listen
Feel Good workouts for the body, mind and soul!
Jo Wicks
No we’re not here to talk about the ripper Jo Wicks delivered during his live workout but we are here to share a link to his youtube playlist Workout with Joe. Joe’s also shared that he is looking to resume his live workouts again!
Yoga with Adriene
Yoga with Adriene, publishes free Yoga Videos and has a library of over 500 free videos and growing. We love blanket yoga! Give it a try!
Mr. Motivator Workouts
He’s back! Breakfast TV’s favourite fitness guru is now on YouTube and offers free, easy-to-follow exercises set to feel-good music to his 8,500 subscribers.
The ‘daily dozen’ workouts are just 12 minutes long and feature a mixture of lunging, reaching and steps that are great for older fitness fans or anyone looking for a gentle re-introduction to exercise.
House of Wellbeing
House of Wellbeing hosts a suite of over 100 guided meditation & hypnotherapy audios to help you achieve a healthy, happy mind. Our powerful audios offer a range of evidence based techniques such as Hypnosis, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Meditation to help you change the way you think and feel.
Men’s Health Weekenders
Men’s Health Weekenders is a month-long festival of fitness, with a healthy dose of food for thought thrown in for good measure.
Click here for more information
Woman’s Health Weekenders
Join the most famous faces in wellness at Women’s Health Weekenders, for a month of celebrity workouts, expert-led discussions, feel-good content and shopping.
Click here for more information