It can’t have escaped your notice that it’s Mental Health Awareness Week and there is certainly plenty being discussed about how to help people who are suffering from mental health issues, as well as things we can do to ensure we take care of our own mental health.
This is something that we should all be dedicating time to, with Mental Health Foundation revealing that in the past year 74 per cent of people have had times when they’ve felt so stressed that they’ve felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.
The organisation’s report Stress: Are We Coping? highlights not only the prevalence of stress within the UK’s population, but also explores how it affects us physically as well as mentally, and offers suggestions on how to deal with stress.
Among the recommendations of things we can do to help ourselves is to be physically active and spend time outdoors.
“Physical exercise can be an excellent initial approach to managing the effects of stress,” the report asserts, noting that you don’t always need to do a lot to feel the benefits.
If you want to spend more time outdoors you may be interested in taking up new outdoor pursuits in Derbyshire, or wherever you live. Reconnecting with nature and spending time in beautiful locations while doing exercise can do wonders for your mental health.
From walking and orienteering to kayaking and climbing, there’s something for everyone regardless of whether you’re looking for something gentle or something a little more adrenaline-fuelled.
The Knutsford Times recently highlighted the Wellbeing Group established by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, which encourages people to volunteer for the charity and spend time surrounded by nature. Since starting in 2016, the group has helped many people with mild to moderate mental health conditions reduce their stress.
