Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year.

Although more on the topic is being shared, especially across social media, there are still too many people suffering in silence, struggling to cope and get by. 

I for one have experienced bouts of depression, it’s really nothing to be embarrassed about, in the past I would hide this because I felt weak admitting it to both myself and to others, but now I look back and i’m grateful because some of my worst days have taught me a great deal about myself and allowed me to build a much better life. 

In this post I want to briefly touch upon mental health and provide some tips to help those of you out there who are struggling…

#1 Therapy – don’t suffer in silence

It’s ok not to be ok! If you are struggling, no matter what it is, whether it’s grieving the loss of a loved one, stress at work, relationship issues, or just a general feeling of despair with life in general…one of the best things you can do is ‘reach out to somebody that you trust’ and confide in them. 

Choose a friend or family member that you trust, or use a therapist – read more here. Whether face-to-face or online, use an expert or trusted friend to help guide you through your rocky patch.

#2 Exercise & Supplements 

For me exercise is therapy for both the mind and body, particularly the mind. Even though I don’t always feel like going to the gym… 9 times out of 10 I always feel much better. I feel revived and less stressed, I also feel stronger and more able to cope with the challenges of life. For de-stressing i’m a BIG fan of lifting weights, there’s something very satisfying about throwing about lumps of iron! Although not a quick fix, you could also try some top brain boosters – supplements to help improve cognitive function.

#3 Keep A Journal

Another great tip is to ‘write down your thoughts and feelings’ – sometimes it’s easy to go round and round in your head, repeating the same thoughts and telling yourself the same story about ‘how life sucks’. When you write things down it can feel like a weights been lifted from you shoulders and help you process the feelings and emotions which feel uncomfortable. I like to journal just before bed, writing down the things which have happened each day. Most of the time it helps me switch off and I feel better for acknowledging how i’m feeling. 

#4 Walk

Walking in my opinion is one of the best forms of therapy. There’s something amazing about being outside and being connected with Mother Nature. When something is bothering me or i’m struggling I will always go on a long walk and come back feeling much better. I like to go to the Peak District when I can, or go for a long walk in the park, but sometimes even just walking round the block is enough to clear the mind and recentre.