30 ways to improve your mental health
Did you know it’s our 30th anniversary this month? We’ll be sharing lots of information about our history, plans for the future, and a some fun and themed challenges throughout the month to celebrate 30 years of The Cellar Trust! We thought we’d kick start things by sharing our 30 ways to improve your mental health…
1 – Listen to your favourite music
Music can give you a fantastic boost. Whether you’re into pop, rock or indie, do something today that involved music – turn on the radio, make a new feel-good Spotify playlist, or head to a record store to get out and about and find inspiration.
2 – Go for a walk
Being outside and in breathing in the fresh air is great for the mind and body. Whether you go for a 10 minute stroll or a full day hike, even just a little bit of time spent outside can make a huge difference. Check out some of our favourite walks and green spaces here.
3 – Do something that used to make you happy as a child
Whether you make jam sandwiches for lunch or start a diary, do something from your childhood that made you happy.
4 – Organise and de-clutter
A drawer full of odds and ends or a wardrobe that needs a little TLC? Why not spend an hour organising something in your home! It feels great to get de-clutter and even doing something small is a big achievement. Did you know we have a charity shop in Shipley town centre? If you decide to have a clear out please do think of us.
5 – Compliment yourself and someone else
Start your day by mentally listing or writing down three things you like about yourself. This could be something as simple as the colour of your eyes, an achievement you’ve had during the week, or you favourite personality trait, and then remember how that makes you feel! While you’re at it, compliment someone else during your day, whether you praise a colleague on a fantastic job, or tell a friend that you love their new nail colour. Small acts of kindness towards yourself and others feel amazing!
6 – Get an early night
We’re all guilty of going to bed late or not getting enough sleep in general. When possible, why not head to bed half an hour early to make sure you’re ready for the day ahead. That extra bit of sleep will work wonders and put a spring in your step.
7 – Have a social media ‘detox’
We’re all guilty of spending too much time on social media. Today make a conscious effort to reduce your phone screen time or stay away from it altogether if you can!
8 – Cook something different or bake a cake
Dig out those old recipe books or find something new to make or bake. Cooking and baking are both very therapeutic activities, and you can enjoy the results yourself or share with friends and family.
9 – Make plans with a friend
Whether you make plans with someone you see every week or someone you may only see once a year, get something booked in the diary with a person you love to spend time with. Catch up over a coffee go to one another’s for tea.
10 – Paint, write, or try something else creative
Doing creative activities is great for wellbeing, so why not try something different for day 10? Try your hand at poetry, song-writing, painting, drawing, knitting, and something else you’ve always wanted to have a go at.
11 – Plan a healthy meal
It’s really easy to rely on convenience food when you’re busy or have a lot on your mind. Go out of your way to make a healthy snack or meal – whether that be a little pack of pomegranate seeds or a lovely bowl of salad!
12 – Read a book
Why not scour your local charity book store to find something new to read? You may stumble across a new fiction find, or a fantastic autobiography by someone inspirational
13 – Find a quite place to meditate
Whether you take five minutes out to sit and relax, or listen to some soothing music – try different meditation techniques and see if you can find one that works for you.
14 – Dance while you do the housework
Tackling household chores can seem like a mammoth task, but if you pop some music on and dance your way around the vaccum cleaning or bop along while washing dishes, it’ll make it more fun and lift your mood!
15 – Treat yourself to a colouring book
Colouring is great for mindfulness, and there’s loads of brilliant options out there from patterns to landscapes! Pick yourself up a book and some pencils/crayons today
16 – Go to the cinema
Not been to the cinema in ages and seen an advert that’s caught your eye? Why not take a solo trip to the cinema to see the latest independent film or big blockbuster! There’s also lots of fantastic 2-4-1 offers out there so bring a friend if you fancy making it a trip for two!
17 – Be a tourist in your own town
No matter how long you’ve lived in a town or city, there’s always something new to explore. Why not check out the community boards at your local event spaces and libraries, or have a google search to see if there’s anything new and exciting happening in your area
18 – Go on a picnic
Check the weather forecast and if there’s a beautiful day coming up then head out on a picnic. Spending even just a few minutes in the sunshine (remember the sun cream!) can boost your mood
19 – Write a to-do list
Lists are a great way to help you get those ever-increasing mental notes down on paper. Whether you use the notes app on your phone or treat yourself to a notebook or some post-its, writing things down can really help with stress, and consolidating your thoughts can make bigger tasks more manageable
20 – Say no to something
If you feel rushed off your feet and are able to say no to a function or event then do it! Having time to relax and recuperate is important, and being busy all the time may mean you don’t get the chance for ‘me time’
21 – Plan a games night
Whether you opt for Monopoly, Kerplunk, or Twister, why not book in a games night with a few friends? It’s a great way to have a laugh and get together with your favourite people!
22 – Drink more water
Sometimes we’re so busy we forget to drink, or we just slip into bad habits of only having soft drinks! Make a point of drinking enough water each day – you’ll feel more energised and it’s a great start towards a healthier lifestyle
23 – Practice a hobby
Have a hobby you love but sometimes feel like you don’t get to spend enough time on it? Block out some time in your diary to pick it back up again! It can be ten minutes of crocheting or an hour of badminton – make time for the things you love
24 – Do 30 minutes of yoga
Yoga is a great way to start your day, or to unwind and relax. There are lots of classes in and around Bradford, or why not sign up to an online class so you can do it from home?
25 – Write down something great that happened today
Write down something fantastic from your day and put it somewhere visible (on the fridge, in your diary etc.) to remind yourself of an achievement, big or small, that happened today
26 – Ask for help
Is there a task you’ve been struggling with at work, or do you need to talk to someone about how you feel? Ask for help. It can be a colleague, a friend, or someone else, just be sure to take the first step in asking for some help and assistance if you need it
27 – Set a small goal
This can be anything from a week of making packed lunches instead of convenience eating, to trying to spend less time on social media. Go for something challenging but achievable and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment
28 – Pamper yourself
Taking ten minutes out to do a face mask or paint your nails can make you feel so much better. Head down to your local supermarket or beauty store and pick up something small for a mini pamper
29 – Write an email, send a letter or message someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
Some of us have friends we don’t get to see very often, which can be down to distance, hectic schedules, or anything in between. Take the time to write someone an email, letter or message to let them know you’re thinking of them and find out what their latest news is
30 – Take up a new sport
Always fancied joining a local club or taking up a new sport? Now’s the time to go for it! It’s a great way to get yourself out there and meet new people
