Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing describes your mental state – how you are feeling and how well you can cope with day-to-day life.

Our mental wellbeing is dynamic. It can change from moment to moment, day to day, month to month or year to year.

“Mental wellbeing is essential for me to function and be happy.”

Think about what is affecting your wellbeing

We’re all different. What affects someone’s mental wellbeing won’t necessarily affect others in the same way.

But we all have times when we have low mental wellbeing, where we feel stressed, upset or find it difficult to cope.

“Stress, loneliness, inactivity, lack of sleep are all negative.”

Build positive relationships

Connecting with others can help us to feel a greater sense of belonging and can help to challenge feelings of loneliness

“I find extremely supportive friends and family help, finding a fulfilling hobby: horse riding, walking the dogs and yoga.”

Take time for yourself

At times you may feel guilty for spending time on yourself. But it’s essential for your wellbeing and can help you to be more resilient.

“I just found that I had to make room to be well. Sounds daft but give yourself some space – in my case I used mindfulness to help me gain control.”

Look after your mental health

If you’re living with a mental health problem, taking steps to look after your mental health can help you improve your wellbeing.

Look after your physical health

Looking after your body can help to keep you mentally well. Making small, gradual changes can have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing – try to start with one or two things you feel able to do.

Set yourself a challenge

Find something you like doing and do more of it.

“Focus on ‘small wins’ don’t chase big achievements. Do the little things and use it as a springboard whatever you can do be proud of it!”

Ask for help

• Think about treatment options. If you’re finding things really difficult, you might walk to talk to your doctor about any support services in your local area. You might want to try counselling to talk through the things you’re finding challenging with a trained professional. See our pages on seeking help for more on how to speak to your doctor about your mental health, and our pages on talking treatments.

• Don’t pressure yourself to carry on as normal. Take small steps and if you are finding it difficult to cope on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help. For example, you may need support at work or help with day-to-day tasks, such as cleaning or childcare.

• Plan for a crisis. When you’re really unwell, it can be hard to ask for the support you need or figure out what support you want. Making a crisis plan while you’re well can help you can stay in control of your treatment, and mean other people know how best to help. See our page on crisis plans for more.

• Stay safe. If your feelings become overwhelming, and you have suicidal thoughts or you think you may self harm, remember that you can pick up the phone at any time of night or day and talk to the Samaritans.

Read more on the Mind website www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/wellbeing/

Needsupport?

Samaritans – call 116 123
free anytime day or night

Release the Pressure
Call 0800 107 0160
Chat online www.mentalhealthmatters.com/our-services/helpline-services/time-online/

CALM — call 0800 585858
free 5pm till12 midnight

NHS non emergency:
Call 111

Contact your GP

#selfcareforlife

Modern life makes it hard to be healthy. The good news is we can fight back.

One You is here to help you get back to a healthier you.

Smoking

Quitting is the best thing you’ll ever do! Find out how it will change your life for the better. Learn more

Drinking

Choosing to drink less booze can bring lots of health benefits. Learn more

Eating

What you eat is so important for your health and your waistline. Find out how to eat well every day. Learn more

Moving

Small changes to your day can make a big difference. Be more active! Learn more

Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep helps you stay healthy. Learn the secrets to sleeping soundly. Learn more

Stress

Too much stress can take its toll. Take simple steps to help you stress less. Learn more
Read more on the One You website www.nhs.uk/oneyou

#selfcareforlife

Our lifestyles can be more unhealthy than we think. Start the fight back to a healthier you. Take the One You quiz and see how you score.www.nhs.uk/oneyou/hay

#selfcareforlife

Self care means knowing how to keep fit and healthy, how to deal with medicines appropriately, manage self-treatable conditions and when to seek appropriate clinical help.

• Find advice about minor illnesses in the NHS Choices Health A-Z section www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pages/hub.aspx,
• Find information on how to live healthily from the One You website www.nhs.uk/oneyou
• Download Self Care Forum’s fact sheets from their website www.selfcareforum.org/fact-sheets/.
• Use the Health Help Now app
  it works on smartphones, tablets, and computers.
  • Health Help Now (Apple App Store)
  • Health Help Now (Android Google Play Store)
  • Visit the website

If you have a long-term condition, self care is about understanding that condition and how to live with it.

#selfcareforlife

Your local pharmacy is more than just a place to get medicines.  It provides a range of NHS services and ensures people can get face-to-face, healthcare professional advice without an appointment.

There are around 14,000 community pharmacies across the UK, so for most of us, there’s one very close by. In fact, 96% of people can get to a pharmacy within 20 minutes by walking or using public transport. Community pharmacists provide rapid access, without appointment, to a healthcare professional and offer a range of clinical and public health services. Most pharmacies now have consultation rooms, where you can talk with your pharmacist without being overheard.

You might be surprised at what pharmacies now offer: personalised medicines advice, help to quit smoking and to maintain good sexual health, treatment for common ailments, advice on preventing disease. And more. It’s a package of care…  …not just packets of pills!

What’s more, pharmacies are part of the fabric of local communities. They provide local employment and are a health and social care asset close to where people live, work and shop.

http://supportyourlocalpharmacy.org/about-your-local-pharmacies/

Support your local pharmacy

#lovemypharmacy #MoreThanMedicines

Residents aged 65 and over in east Kent are being encouraged to have a free flu vaccination to help them stay healthy this winter.

Older people are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu and immunisation can help to protect them from catching the virus.

NHS Ashford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Kent County Council are supporting this year’s Stay Well This Winter campaign, led by NHS England and Public Health England, which aims to encourage everyone who is eligible for a free flu jab to get vaccinated.

As well as residents aged 65 or over, pregnant women, carers and people with long-term health conditions are all eligible for a free flu vaccination and are advised to have one every year.

All children in school years 1, 2 and 3 (aged five to seven-years-old) will be offered the nasal vaccine through a schools based programme, while children aged two to four-years-old can get the vaccine from their GP. (more…)

Sayed visited his local stop smoking service and got the free support and advice he needed face to face, to quit smoking for good

Having regular contact from a local specialist really keeps you motivated while quitting – and it costs nothing! – Sayed

You can get free one-to-one support from your local stop smoking service. With their expert help and advice, you’re up to four times more likely to quit smoking successfully. 9 out of 10 people who’ve used local stop smoking services would recommend it as a way to quit. Find out more about what to expect and find your local service.

The more support tools you use the more likely you are to succeed in your quit attempt. Think about using other support tools to help you quit.

Watch Sayed’s story www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober/home#

#Stoptober2016