During the winter months and at the start of January in particular, many of us think about what we want to change in our lives over the coming 12 months. A new year provides the perfect opportunity to set resolutions, take stock and decide how we will live our lives differently from now on.
Many of us will make health-related resolutions – lose weight, abstain from drinking stop smoking or get fitter.
These are all great ways to improve our health and all of us at Healthy Performance recommend these as positive changes to your lifestyle.  However, we also need to think about how we can improve our mental health and wellbeing.
1 in 4 of us will experience some form of mental health issue over the course of a year. However, we often struggle on, trying to live with stress, anxiety, depression and similar conditions without seeking the help that can make us feel better.
Some people retreat from the world or turn to drink in an attempt to feel better but this can only compound the problem.
Anyone who has suffered from a mental health condition knows only too well that, as with any health condition, while we can take steps to manage our own wellbeing, there are times when we need expert support and advice.
Ultimately, if we do not feel well emotionally, it can have a knock-on impact on everything else in our lives.Our social lives, personal lives and professional lives can all suffer, as can our physical health.

So shouldn’t improving our mental health and wellbeing be our main priority for the coming year?

That’s where services such as The Samaritans and Mind can come into their own.  They aim to provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding about Mental Health.
We often talk about our emotional wellbeing and this can take a number of forms. A useful description is ‘feeling good and functioning well’ therefore it’s a good place to start the New Year off well.
The first step is often the hardest but seeking help may well be the best thing you can do to set yourself on the right track for 2015. If you suffer from a mental health problem, once you have taken that step, you’ll get the help, support and respect that you deserve.

Useful Contacts,

Mind.  Call 0300 123 3393.  Text 86463.  Website – http://www.mind.org.uk/
The Samaritans.  Call 08457 909090.  Website – http://www.samaritans.org/