5 WAYS TO SUPPORT GOOD MENTAL HEALTH World Mental Health Day on 10th October is a salient reminder to keep mental health at the forefront of the wellbeing agenda and we made sure that our colleagues are aware of the support we offer at Aptus. As the days grow shorter and the pressures of Christmas begin to mount, it’s even more important to be aware of our mental health and support others with theirs. Here are five tips for taking care of our mental health this winter.
Connect with nature It’s tempting to stay indoors and hibernate, yet making sure we get outside in nature can lead to improvements in both our physical and mental health. Surprisingly, some animals are at their most active in winter, so why not wrap up warm, venture outdoors with a friend or loved one and embrace the comings and goings of our winter wildlife. There’s also science to support that observing a good sunset can boost our memory and alertness, as well as helping to regulate our circadian rhythm and prepare our body for sleep.
Take a break from social media Evidence shows a link between heavy social media use and an increased risk of depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts. In the run up to Christmas, these feelings may be intensified if we find ourselves comparing our experiences unfavourably with others. Activating your iPhone’s Screen Time settings or Android’s Digital Wellbeing feature can help you to track your activity and be more mindful of the time you are spending on different apps and websites.
There are many positives to be found in winter. Mind charity has more ideas on connecting with nature here . SAD People who find themselves experiencing prolonged feelings of low mood and related symptoms may have Seasonal Affective Disorder ( SAD ), which is also known as ‘seasonal depression’. It’s important to seek help - visit the NHS for more information and support here .
Or you might want to consider downloading apps like Freedom and RescueTime, or a browser extension which can limit distractions and protect your mental health. Speak up Talking about our problems is usually the first step to getting help. Whether that’s speaking to your GP, a family member or friend, or calling a free confidential helpline like the Samaritans, it is important to know you are not alone. Many businesses like Aptus have qualified Mental Health First Aiders who are there to help. We also offer free resources and support to colleagues and their families through our Employee Assistance Programme ( EAP ) and Digital GP , which is a 24/7 online and telephone service.
14 APTUS CONNECTIONS // ISSUE 15
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