Best of: Mental Health

Mental health is just as important to take care as your physical health and so we wanted to offer you our advice on helping you keep mentally healthy.

Hobbies help make up who we are as individuals and they also help to separate us from one another. They can also be a great way of managing our headspace whenever we feel we need it. – George Denver

“Talking about something you enjoy with people who are willing to listen can feel great. It can fill you with confidence when friends or family pay attention to what you like doing, and introducing them to it can be very rewarding. Doing the thing you love with somebody else can add to the enjoyment as you can help them along as they learn with you.”

Talking about our feelings is always difficult – Abi Phoenix

“Many people worry they’re being self-centred when talking about their problems and that they shouldn’t burden other people, and the first step to overcoming this is by finding someone you trust. It could be a parent, close friend or relative, or even a counsellor or doctor, as long as it’s someone you feel comfortable talking to and know they won’t judge you for what you’re saying.”

It is vital to reach out to people and break out of isolating thought patterns – Hannah Courtney

“Reaching out and talking to anyone, even just nipping out to Tesco with your flatmates can provide so much for your mental health, allowing fresh perspectives, jokes, advice and distractions all add up to improve your mindset and may give you more strength and the needed motivation to battle the heavy weight low mental health can be.”

Sometimes though, it can be overwhelming and a little daunting to bring up how you are feeling with those close to you and that’s where the Student Wellbeing Centre comes in – Shannon Butcher

“Located next to the Health centre on the Brayford Pool Campus, the centre has a team of professional wellbeing advisors, mental health advisors and counsellors at your disposal. They offer help and advice for any student struggling with university including disability issues, medical conditions, learning difficulties and mental health.”

It might not come as a surprise to you that eating healthy can affect our physical and our mental health – Owen Liggins

“Research has shown that depression and the food we eat can be linked to some extent. Studies have found that a lack of vitamin B12, iron and calcium is often the culprit in mild cases of depression and anxiety. This could mean that when we are feeling down, instead of reaching for a tub of ice cream or a chocolate bar, we should instead eat a spinach salad or enjoy a bowl of vegetable soup.”