With the ever-increasing living costs impacting our lives and our mental health, I wanted to have a look at ways we can maintain our mental health in cost free ways.
Speaking with my Eventus colleagues we shared our practical solutions and came up with some great ideas how to keep costs down.
Walking/running/jogging
This is the most obvious and proven way to help keep a healthy mind. There are so many benefits to walking and running. As well as being completely free, not only with the natural endorphins but the benefits of being amongst nature.
According to Bupa – “Being in or interacting with nature holds many of the same benefits as walking and exercise, such as improving your mood and reducing anxiety. After a long walk, you’ve probably noticed how much better you feel for it. In fact, seven in ten (70 per cent) UK adults say that being close to nature improves their mood. Being in nature, or even just observing it, helps you connect to the world around you. It gives an opportunity to empty your mind of daily stresses and tasks, and become present in that moment. Mindfulness is a wonderful practice, grounding you in the here and now; focussing on what you can see, hear or smell. Walking in nature is the perfect time to dial into your senses and notice how you really feel.”
Mindfulness Apps
You can get some great free mindfulness Apps to help with day-to-day stress and to keep on top of your mental health. Research from Carnegie Mellon University published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that regular use of a mindfulness app can provide stress intervention when in a pressure filled situation. The study found evidence that smartphone meditation app usage reduces cortisol levels, as well as systolic blood pressure in response to stress.
Reading
According to exploreyourmind.com reading can help with anxiety and depression. “The therapeutic power of literature is amazing. When you’re invaded by sadness, anxiety, and stress, reading novels and poetry can transform your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.”
There are some great community book swap programmes around. Why not see if there are any in your area or start one today in your local town! Or join your local library.
Talking
Talk, talk, talk! A problem shared is a problem halved. Mentalhealth.org reiterate how talking about our feelings isn’t a sign of weakness, it is part of taking charge of your well-being and doing what you can to stay healthy. You are not alone.
“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.”
With 1 in 6.8 people experiencing mental health problems in the workplace, especially women in full time employment are nearly twice as likely to have a common mental health problem as full time employed men. (Mental Health Foundation)
It’s more important than ever to do what we can to stay on top of our mental health. Try out different methods of caring for your mental health and be consistent with practicing what works for you as an individual.
Blog by Shelley Gilchrist, Recruitment Resourcer for Eventus Finance and Eventus Recruitment Cheshire.
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