2021 10km Fundraising Charity Walk

Self-help techniques to help you cope with mental health with the easing of lockdown

 

Living with a mental illness is not easy. It can be a consistent problem, with most of the time not being able to find a clear solution. With the easing of restrictions in the UK, many people with a mental illness with be struggling with the vast change to life again, which nothing can prepare you for.

 

The most common mental health issues amongst the ages of 16-24 are anxiety and depression, with increasing numbers throughout lockdown. To help get back to normality, Finding the right coping mechanism takes time and patience, but it can enormously impact how you feel. Many tips can be added to daily routines making it very easy for you to complete. Here are five pointers for improving your mental health daily.

 

 

• Get outside and exercise! – When exercise is mentioned, people tend to believe they need to run 5km or head straight to the gym. This is not the case, by even going on a 20-minute walk and getting some fresh air you will be clearing your head while also getting physically active. By exercising, you are releasing endorphins that instantly improve your mood and trigger a positive feeling your body. When performed regularly, exercise helps ease both stress and anxiety.

 

• Talk about your feelings – Talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness, in fact it’s the complete opposite. Talking can be a way to cope with a problem you’ve been carrying around in your head for a while. Just being listened to can help you feel supported and less alone. And it works both ways. If you open up, it might encourage others to do the same. You don’t need to sit your loved ones down for a big conversation about your wellbeing. Many people feel more comfortable when these conversations develop naturally – maybe when you’re doing something together. It may not feel right at the start but give it time everything will work out.

 

• Down in the dumps? Listen to music – Music can be a great way to distract the mind from problems you have been focusing on. Music often makes us want to move, inspiring us to dance or exercise. This helps release endorphins and serotonin in the brain, so we feel better and adopt a naturally more positive outlook. Combining music with movement is a potent way to improve your mood with the potential for long lasting effects.

 

• Appreciate nature – Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, but it also contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Be sure to check out local parks and woodland areas, maybe even find a bench in a secluded area to take in all the sounds and sights

 

• Turn off your phone/laptops (at least for part of the day) – It’s hard. But really, you don’t need it on constantly, as if it’s stitched to your side. You can take a break, even for just part of the day. There may be some withdrawal or anxiety about not being right there for what you think is critical, but just stop and think. How many texts, Instagram stories or other digital communications do you need to see immediately? Very few! Once you try it, you may find it refreshing to have a break from the constant notifications.

 

 

The bottom line is, we all need self-care techniques to help look after ourselves from time to time and most importantly our mental health. There are many charities and organisations that look after and support you in any situation. You are never alone in the fight against mental health.

 

 

To help support Mental health in young people, we at Chigwell tours have organised a 10km walk at Hainault Forest to raise funds and awareness for this cause. All funds raised will go to three selected organisations who have a proven track record in raising awareness, working and championing the positive outcome of how better facilities, resources and treatment of young people can help boost their self-esteem.

 

Find more information below through our website, along with our JustGiving Link

 

JustGiving

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chigwell-tours

 

 

Chigwell Tours Website

https://chigwelltours.co.uk/fundraisingwalk/

 

Eoin Kirwan

Chigwell Tours Fundraising Team