Mental Health Action Day

Our mental health and wellbeing is as important as our physical health for leading a fulfilling and balanced life., regardless of age. In a world of ever increasing information, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, distracted by newsfeeds and social media, it’s more important than ever that we nurture our mental health.

Mental Health Action Day

Mental Health Action Day acts as a reminder for us to think about our mental well-being and take steps towards improving it – with this year’s theme being "What if everyone dedicated one hour to take action for their mental health?"

The reason for the focus on one hour is that an hour is simple, measurable, and flexible. It's a tangible goal that we can all achieve within a day. You don’t have to take the hour as a whole, you can break it down into shorter sessions throughout the day. For example, you could focus on 15 minutes of mindfulness in the morning, a 30-minute break during lunch and then 15 minutes of reflection before bed.

Ways you can look after your mental health

Stay connected with friends and family – a quick phone call to a friend or loved one can help boost your mood.

Practice gratitude – People who regularly practice gratitude by taking the time to reflect often feel more thankful and experience positive emotions. You could try saying or writing down what you are grateful for at the start or the end of the day.

Focus on positivity – Many studies have looked at the role of optimism and positive thinking in mental and physical health. Although it’s not clear which one comes first, there is no downside to staying upbeat. Some of the ways you can practice positive thinking include

Whichever way you chose to spend your hour; the most important thing is that you take the time to prioritise your mental health.

Older people can face various mental health challenges including loneliness, grief, loss of independence, or the impact of chronic health conditions. It's crucial that we recognise these factors as potential consequences on mental well-being. By understanding these challenges, we can develop targeted approaches to address them effectively.

Here at Abbeyfield, we understand that self-care is a fundamental aspect of maintaining good mental health. It involves engaging in activities that recharge us. Prioritising activities such as exercise, meditation, spending time in nature, pursuing hobbies, and practicing mindfulness.