As yesterday was Mental Health awareness day I thought it would be appropriate to share some of my favourite wellbeing resources. I also want to keep this post short and sweet to get you off your devices and into some fresh air instead.

I did have an entirely different post scheduled for today but decided last minute to publish this instead due to the timing. So I’m keeping this simple, chatty, and unedited just to get it out — oh dear I’m already rambling, Short and Sweet Abi for god sakes.

Mental Health of course is something that affects us all, albeit some more than others. I have experienced my own quarrels with anxiety (I won’t go into details today) and I still am learning techniques to deal with it when it becomes particularly troublesome.

These techniques and resources are what I want to share with you — they come from my own experiences, I’m sure there are others out there that might work better for you.

Abi’s techniques and resources:

Talking

There is always someone who will listen. You are not alone in this and your loved ones DO want to offer an arm of support when you may need it

Get outside

Schedule you time in the fresh air. Even if its while listening to a podcast or you only have 5 minuets, go for a walk or sit on a bench and just breathe.

I really notice the difference on days that I don’t do this, even on good mental health days. I’ll get into a slump or grump and think why am I in a mood but more often that not it comes down to a lack of fresh air.

It’s a simple fix, make sure you get out today if you can.

Find methods that work for you

For me its often a need of distraction when I’m feeling anxious. Playing a game or doing a task can often help.

Some people use the rubber band technique. When they begin to feel anxious they gently snap it against their wrist as an attempt to ‘snap out of it’ so to speak.

When a distraction isn’t enough and I have no one I feel I can talk to around me (even though I probably do and should just talk to them) I use the Headspace app.

The app offers meditations for different scenarios and is brilliant. The breathing exercises are transferable and are equally as good to use without the app.

Remember, if you are in the moment of anxiousness, those around you will want to help and you can talk to them. You don’t have to do it on your own.

Another app I am trialling is the Journify app. It is a journaling app where you can record how you are feeling and your thoughts about each day.

To conclude this quick little chat, I want to encourage you to do one action to benefit you and your wellbeing today. Whether it is a walk or a short breathing exercise, do something that benefits your mental health and try to implement it in each of your days going forward.

Thanks for reading, have a good day x

A to Z helplines

Anxiety UK

Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.

Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)

Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Bipolar UK

A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.

Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk

CALM

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.

Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Men’s Health Forum

24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.

Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation

Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Mind

Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

Website: www.mind.org.uk

No Panic

Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.

Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access Charge

Website: www.nopanic.org.uk

OCD Action

Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources.

Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access Charge

Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk

OCD UK

A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.

Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Website: www.ocduk.org

PAPYRUS

Young suicide prevention society.

Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm, and 2pm to 5pm on weekends)

Website: www.papyrus-uk.org

Rethink Mental Illness

Support and advice for people living with mental illness.

Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)

Website: www.rethink.org

Samaritans

Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

SANE

Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. 

Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare

Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum

Website: www.sane.org.uk/support

YoungMinds

Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.

Phone: Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)

Website: www.youngminds.org.uk