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In today's fast-paced and often stressful world, taking care of our mental health is crucial. One powerful tool that can aid in this journey is the practice of affirmations. Affirmations are simple yet effective statements that help reframe our thoughts and beliefs, promoting a positive mindset and reducing anxiety.

In our latest blog post we give you practical tips on how to utilise affirmations for increased positive mental health and share with you 7 affirmations to kick start your journey.

You can read it here: https://www.youinmind.org/blog/post/94/harnessing-the-power-of-affirmations

Do you write in a journal or diary?

Among the benefits of writing a diary is the fact that it can help your emotional and mental health. It can become an outlet for all your everyday stresses. Helping you process them calmly, free from the stresses and feelings that you experienced when the situation was unfolding.
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🌟 Let's Spread Gratitude! 🙏❤️

Hey everyone! lets talk about the power of saying thank you and how it can positively impact both our own mental health and the wellbeing of others. 😊

In this fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget to acknowledge the people who make a difference. But taking a moment to say "thank you" can create a ripple effect of joy and positivity. 🌈✨

When we express our gratitude, it not only uplifts our spirits but also brightens the day of the person we're thanking. It's like a tiny gift of appreciation that can make someone feel seen and valued. And the best part? It doesn't cost a thing! 💖

Fun fact: Did you know that saying "thank you" actually triggers the release of dopamine, a feel-good chemical in our brains? It's like a natural happiness booster for both the giver and the receiver! So let's spread those good vibes and make gratitude a daily habit. 😄🎉

Whether it's a kind gesture, a helping hand, or simply being there for us, let's make it a point to express our heartfelt thanks today. Let's tag someone below who has made a positive impact in our lives and share why we appreciate them! Let's create a wave of happiness that reaches far and wide. 💫

If you are a carer, finding time for self-care can be difficult. But taking a few moments to stretch, loosen up or unwind can help you relax.

The MND Association have some gentle mindfulness, meditation and exercise routines on their website, the short audio and video resources have been created by experienced practitioners to help you support your own wellbeing as a carer.

You matter too.
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Workplace bullying is harmful, targeted behaviour that happens at work. It might be spiteful, offensive, mocking, or intimidating. It forms a pattern, and it tends to be directed at one person or a few people.

A few examples of bullying include:
- targeted practical jokes
- being purposely misled about work duties, like incorrect deadlines or unclear directions
- continued denial of requests for time off without an appropriate or valid reason
- threats, humiliation, and other verbal abuse
- excessive performance monitoring
- overly harsh or unjust criticism

Bullying can have significant, serious effects on physical and mental health.

While leaving a job or changing departments could end the bullying, this isn’t always possible. Even when you can remove yourself from the bullying environment, the impact of bullying can last long after bullying has stopped.

We have providers on our platform who are experienced in supporting people who have experienced workplace bullying so you don't need to suffer alone.
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🌍💙 : Let's Connect and Make a Difference! 💙🌍

📣 Hey everyone! It's Loneliness Awareness Week 2023 in the UK, and it's time to shine a spotlight on an issue that affects us all. Loneliness can be incredibly tough, but together, we can make a difference. Let's raise awareness and support those who may be feeling isolated.

💔 Loneliness isn't just a fleeting emotion; it can have a profound impact on mental health. Studies have shown that prolonged loneliness can contribute to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. It's crucial to understand and empathize with those experiencing this struggle.

🤝 So, what can we do to combat loneliness? It's simpler than you might think! Reach out to a friend, a neighbor, or even a stranger. A simple message, phone call, or coffee date can make a world of difference in someone's day. Let's build connections and create a community where everyone feels valued and supported.

🌈 Join us this week as we spread awareness, share stories, and engage in meaningful conversations about loneliness. Let's remind those who feel alone that they are not forgotten and that they matter to us. Together, we can brighten someone's day and change lives for the better.

🤳💌 Use the hashtag to share your experiences, thoughts, and ideas. Together, we can create a ripple effect of kindness and understanding that extends far beyond this week. Let's make a lasting impact!

👥💙 Remember, we're all in this together. Let's support each other, combat loneliness, and foster a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and loved. Spread the word 🌟

The Benefits of Gardening or looking after house plants for Your Mental Health:
- Promotes exercise; gardening is often much more physical than you realise while still enjoyable.
- Reduces time on technology. In today’s day and age, with the constant bombardment of technology, when do we ever put down the phone?
- Encourages healthy eating.
- Increases mood and decreases stress.
- Improves concentration.
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Struggling with sleepless nights and feeling the weight on your mental well-being? 😔✨
Read our latest blog and unlock the knowledge to reclaim restful nights and support your mental health! 💤🧠 ➡️

https://www.youinmind.org/blog/post/93/dreamy-nights-a-guide-to-improving-sleep-and-managing-insomnia

Don't let insomnia dim your mental spark! Empower yourself with insights and solutions to cultivate a happier, well-rested mind. 💪✨

Cycling is a great way to keep fit and active, it’s a fantastic exercise that helps improve your physical fitness and boosts your mental wellbeing whilst out in the fresh air.

There’s a proven link between physical activity and better mental health. Exercise lowers stress hormones and boosts endorphins. It helps us sleep better.
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We know it can be hard to find mental health and wellbeing support. So we created YouinMind.org to help you can find local and online services from one place.

https://www.youinmind.org/
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Did you know that your posture can have a big impact on your mood and mental health? 🤔 Research shows that slouching or hunching over can make you feel more stressed and anxious, while standing up straight can improve your mood and self-esteem.
💪 Plus, better posture can also improve your physical health by reducing back pain and improving circulation.

Fun fact: A study found that people who walked in a slouched position had a harder time recalling positive memories, while those who walked upright had an easier time recalling positive memories!

😮 So next time you're feeling down, try straightening up and see if it boosts your mood.

Did you know that exercise can be a powerful tool for improving your mental health? 🏃‍♀️ Research shows that regular exercise can help reduce symptoms of depression, improve mood, and boost self-esteem. 🌟 Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood-boosters that can help you feel happier and more positive. 💪 So why not lace up your trainers and take a walk or even hit the gym? Even a small amount of exercise can make a big difference for your mental health.

Is social media taking a toll on your mental health? 🤔 While there are benefits to staying connected online, it's important to take a break and give your mind a rest from the digital world. Research shows that taking a break from social media, also known as a digital detox, can reduce stress, increase productivity, improve sleep, and improve overall mental health.

🌟 So why not take a break this weekend and enjoy some time offline? Your mind will thank you!

Are you a master multitasker? 🤔 While it may seem like juggling multiple tasks at once is a sign of efficiency, it can actually take a toll on your mental health. Research suggests that multitasking can lead to increased stress, decreased productivity, and even decreased brain function. 😵 So next time you feel the urge to multitask, take a deep breath and focus on one task at a time. Your mental health will thank you! 💚

Between friends, family and work, keeping everyone happy can mean you neglect yourself and never have any me-time.

Give yourself permission to make time to be alone and do things for yourself, as this helps keep anxiety and depression at bay.

What would you do or where would you go if you could do anything right now?

Living with social anxiety can be tough. 😔 If you're struggling with feelings of fear or discomfort in social situations, know that you're not alone. Our latest blog post is all about living with social anxiety and tips for managing symptoms. 💚 From breathing exercises to therapy, there are plenty of strategies that can help you feel more confident and comfortable in social situations.

So head over to our website and check out the post!

And remember, it's okay to ask for help when you need it.

https://www.youinmind.org/blog/post/92/living-with-social-anxiety

The longer you put off a task because you’re afraid or anxious about doing it, the more nerve-wracking - and potentially debilitating - it can be.

TOP TIP: Make a list of three easy things you need to do then tackle the task head-on, tick them off as you do it, you'll feel you have accomplished something and the rest of what you have been avoiding will be easier.

This week it is and nature has powerful benefits for our mental health.

It has unique ability to not only bring consolation in times of stress, but also increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder.

Even small contacts with nature such as looking after our own gardens or even window boxes can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting our mental health, and preventing distress.
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Sharing your story can show that people with mental health problems are cared about, understood and listened to.

These stores can also be used to challenge the status quo and change attitudes.

Feel free to share your story in the comments, it may help not only you but others too.
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Mental health and money are connected. Mental health problems can make it harder to earn and manage your money, and debt can trigger or worsen conditions such as anxiety, depression and stress.

Life changes such as losing your job, mental or physical health problems or separating from your partner can mean that you struggle to pay your household bills. Having to adjust to such a financial change can be difficult.

Anxiety about those events happening even if not on the horizon can cause anxiety too and make people feel stressed and anxious.

If you feel you need support with these feelings, check out our platform www.youinmind.org to find a provider near you.
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Looking out for our elderly neighbours is more important than ever. Let's take some time to check in on them and help them feel less isolated during these challenging times. Together, we can make a difference.

"Remember to be kind to yourself today and every day! Take a moment to prioritise self-care and show yourself some love. Whether it's a relaxing bath, a good book, or a walk outside, do something that brings you joy and peace. You deserve it!

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Perinatal Depression and Anxiety (PNDA) in men refers to depression and anxiety experienced during pregnancy and/or the first year post-birth by prospective and/or new fathers.

1 in 20 men experience depression during their partner’s pregnancy and up to 1 in 10 new dads experience depression following the birth of their baby.

Both women and men can find it challenging to open up about their negative feelings related to a new baby when it is expected to be a 'joy filled time' but it is not unusual to hear fathers say that they find it ‘hard to talk about’ how they are feeling and the issues they are struggling with.

New dads can often feel torn between the need to be present and productive at work while also being present and supportive for their partner and baby. This can contribute to an increased sense of stress, confusion, frustration and anxiety. For dads who are struggling during this time, reaching out for help can take a considerable amount of courage.

For more information on this topic, take a look at https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/anxiety-type/perinatal-anxiety/
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Sometimes it can feel too difficult to say the words out loud but writing them down and passing someone a note, sending a text or even an email can make reaching out for help much easier.

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April is Stress Awareness Month in the UK, a time to bring attention to the issue of stress and how it affects our physical and mental health. The pandemic has brought an unprecedented level of stress into our lives, making it more important than ever to raise awareness about this issue and provide people with tools to manage stress.

You can read our most recent blog on how to raise awareness of stress and how to take steps to manage your own wellbeing here: https://www.youinmind.org/blog/post/91/stress-awareness-month-april-2023

Gratitude journaling is a great way to connect with yourself each day.
You can make this journaling practice as simple or as complex as you wish. It may be easier to stick to this routine daily by creating a prompt for yourself that you answer each morning when waking up and another reflection prompt for the evening at the close of each day.
It can help you to focus on the good in life when things get overwhelming.
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Feeling overwhelmed? Try these stress-reducing tips: take breaks, exercise, meditate, talk with loved ones, and prioritise self-care.

Remember, it's okay to ask for help!

https://www.youinmind.org/

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Your Spring cleaning mental health checklist:
- How is your sleep?
- Have you seen any significant changes in appetite?
- How is your weight?
- What are general energy levels like?
- How do you feel about yourself?
- Do you have trouble relaxing, and do you feel on edge?
- Are you experiencing a generalised sense of fear or doom?
- Do you feel worried about the future?
- Are you dealing with feelings of hopelessness or of being a failure?

Consider these questions and then see where you may be able to make improvements.
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Each time we add stress on the body we create another layer that makes reaching core happiness a little more difficult. Our bodies hold on to those layers until we learn to release them.

A cross word. A judgement of another. A negative thought about ourselves. Pressure and expectations we place on ourselves or adopt from others.

It all adds stress and dis-ease in the body. And the truth is, we can't live like that forever. Our bodies simply won't continue to accept those layers.

The great news is we can absolutely do something about it! Starting with our basic health.

We will be sharing a few more tips on this in the coming weeks ✨️

As always if you need support do visit our website at https://www.youinmind.org/