All of us feel
anxious, stressed or low from time to time.
Doing something positive to help yourself can make a remarkable difference to
your mood, so read through these positive steps, and
try at least of them today! |
Get active – and feel good
Exercise is great
for well-being. It not
only improves your physical health and gives you
more energy, it can even improve your mood! Pick an activity you know you
enjoy or try something different like dancing, swimming, hiking or horse riding. |
Do something creative
Boost your mood by
getting in touch with your creative side! All kinds of creative activities
like painting, drawing, writing, cooking, gardening or playing an instrument
are absorbing and relaxing – and can even help you forget what is worrying you
for a while. |
Ask for a little help
It’s OK to ask for
help if you’re stressed – chat to a close friend, family member, or even a
support group. We could all do with a little extra help and encouragement from
time to time. |
Use the food to boost your
mood
What you put in
your mouth can have a real influence on your mood! By cutting back on sugar and refined
Carbohydrates and eating a
diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean meat, whole
grains and oily fish, will give
you more energy, increased concentration and
your mental well-being will be much improved. |
Accept yourself for who you
are
It’s easy to be down on yourself and self-critical when you’re feeling low.
Why not ease up on yourself? Remember all of your positive qualities, write
them down if you’re feeling low. |
Have a go at something new
Why not
take up a hobby or learn a skill, like learning a new language, yoga classes
or tai chi? Learning something new stimulates your mind, boosts your
confidence and can give you a new interest in life – and you might meet new
people, too! |
Don’t over do the Drink
Lots of people take a drink to help them unwind, but
most are unaware that alcohol can be a depressant,
Drink in moderation.
You can still enjoy yourself if you drink responsibly
and your health and well-being will not
suffer. |
|
Stop beating yourself up!
If you’re having a difficult time, go easy on yourself – don’t load yourself
down with demands and expectations. It’s easy to be self-critical – why not
focus instead on praising yourself for the positive things you’ve done?
|
Keep in touch
Friends can be
just the tonic you need when you’re low – make an effort to keep in touch,
whether through a quick phone call, an email/chat-room or even pop round for a
visit! |
Talk it through
When you’re
feeling low and overwhelmed by things, don’t be afraid to talk to someone. If
you just want a voice because you feel you can’t
talk to anyone close to you, Help lines such as the
Samaritans can be a great source of support. |
Get out there!
If you feel
isolated this can increase feelings of depression or low self-confidence. Help yourself by making an effort to enjoy
the social scene a bit more. Getting involved in group activities can take
your mind off your worries, and other people can be a great source of support. |
Take a load off and unwind
If the hustle and
bustle of life is hectic, it can be hard to relax –
so why not set aside a little time to unwind and do something you really
enjoy, even half an hour a day just reading or listening to music? Looking
forward to ‘your time’ every day can really boost your mood! |
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For more advice check out the
following websites
www.oldham.nhs.uk
www.disabilityactionoldham.org
http://www.pat.nhs.uk/
http://www.penninecare.nhs.uk
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