Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and these events can understandably affect a person’s psychological and emotional well-being. Work stress, money worries, relationship breakdowns and physical illness all have the potential to take their toll on an individual’s mental health. However, there are things you can do to try and minimise these negative effects. We asked the team at YourGP for their top self-care tips. Make an effort to incorporate them into your daily routine to boost your mental health and overall wellbeing, whatever life throws at you.

1. Prioritise a good sleep routine

Too little sleep or poor quality sleep can have a detrimental impact on your overall health, so make sure you’re getting around 8 hours of sleep per night. Make a conscious effort to wind down for an hour before you head to bed, switching off screens and instead relaxing with either some soothing music, a good book, or an indulgent bath.

2. Exercise regularly

Working up a sweat is a great way to get the feelgood hormones such as endorphins flowing. It can boost energy levels and help to regulate your sleep patterns too. And you don’t have to run a marathon to feel the benefits, just a short walk every day could be enough to nudge your mental health along into the right direction.

3. Eat well

When your mental health is low, even the simplest things like preparing lunch can feel like too much. But reaching for quick and convenient sugary and salty snacks can exacerbate issues. Instead, aim for a healthy and varied diet. As you prepare and eat each meal, think about how the ingredients will nourish your body.

4. Watch your alcohol intake

While it might be tempting to reach for a glass of wine to unwind in the evening, it is important to be aware that alcohol can make many mental health issues worse. Cut down or cut it out completely.

5. Take a break

Life can sometimes feel fast-paced and overwhelming, so it’s important to find some peace during the day. Put your phone down, step away from social media and try taking a few deep breaths to relax the mind and body. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness could be just what you need to help calm your busy mind, even if it’s just for half an hour each day.

6. Stay connected

When life gets hard, it can be tempting to just hide away, but making an effort to meet with friends and family can make all the difference to how you feel about things.

7. Do something you love

Whether it’s reading, playing a musical instrument, or a particular sport, it’s good to set aside a little time doing something that brings you joy. You could also find a new passion – take up a new hobby like painting, running or learning a new language to challenge yourself and get a real sense of achievement.

8. Head outside

Heading to the great outdoors, observing and connecting with nature can have a genuinely soothing effect on a person. Whether you prefer to get your hands dirty and start growing produce, or you’d rather take a gentle stroll along a river, the growing number of ‘nature prescriptions’ and ‘green social prescriptions’ just shows what a positive difference it can make.

9. Open up to trusted friends

If you’re feeling low, it is important to share your thoughts with someone you trust – whether that’s a friend, family member or colleague. Reaching out and talking through issues after bottling up emotions can bring a massive relief to many people, and it can also be the first step in getting practical help and support to overcoming any issues.

10. Seek help from a medical professional

View your mental health in the same way as you do your physical health – if something doesn’t feel right, it’s always best to speak to your GP in the first instance to prevent any issues from worsening.

Trust YourGP

1 in 4 adults in the UK will experience a mental health problem of some kind in their lifetime. Here at YourGP, we take mental wellbeing just as seriously as we do physical health. Anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, for example, are all treatable, and we are here to provide all patients with the necessary help and support they need. We treat every patient as an individual – we listen and we care.

We’ve made it as easy as possible for you to reach out to us, should you need us. We offer short notice appointments at our two Edinburgh practices. Choose a date and time that suits you via our simple online booking system, or you can email reception@your.gp or call us on 0131 225 5656 and we will ensure that you are seen as quickly as possible.