{"id":144155,"date":"2023-10-11T18:26:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T18:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebritywshow.com\/?p=144155"},"modified":"2023-10-11T18:26:11","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T18:26:11","slug":"from-naps-to-no-phone-how-to-boost-your-mental-health-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebritywshow.com\/lifestyle\/from-naps-to-no-phone-how-to-boost-your-mental-health-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"From naps to no phone \u2013 how to boost your mental health | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

WHEN WAS the last time you sat down and checked in with your mental wellbeing?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

If the answer is never, it might be time to start building this simple habit into your daily routine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We live in a busy, uncertain world with competing pressures that make it easy to neglect our emotional needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And just as our bodies need exercise and healthy food to stay in top condition, our mental health deserves care too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our thoughts, feelings and behaviour are closely linked and influence each other. <\/p>\n

So sometimes we develop unhelpful patterns of thought which can lead to unhelpful or even harmful behaviours. <\/p>\n

Recognising these thoughts, asking whether they\u2019re true, and thinking about them differently can improve our mental wellbeing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good-quality sleep also makes a big difference in how we feel mentally and physically. <\/p>\n

When we struggle to nod off, our mind can be flooded with thoughts and worries which make it harder to unwind.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Doing just one little thing \u2013 like keeping mobile phones out of the bedroom or going to bed an hour earlier \u2013 can make all the difference.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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By proactively maintaining our mental wellness, we can build resilience to cope with the stresses of everyday life. <\/p>\n

This can help us deal better with challenges we may face in the future and can even reduce our risk of physical health problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the NHS website Every Mind Matters you\u2019ll find lots of free resources, information and practical tips to help you discover the \u201clittle big things\u201d that work for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also find personalised mental health plans that provide advice on dealing with anxiety and tension, boosting your mood, sleeping better, and feeling more in control.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UK-based Amazon Alexa users can even say: \u201cAlexa start my mind plan\u201d and get going right away.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re struggling to cope with anxiety or depression NHS talking therapies could help. You can be referred by your GP or refer yourself directly via nhs.uk\/talk.<\/p>\n

This service offers free and effective support, in person, by video, over the phone or as an online course.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It takes one little step in the right direction to make big changes for the better in your life.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What will you do to care for your mental health today?\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Snooze control<\/strong><\/h2>\n

SUPER-BUSY business exec and mum of three Lianne Harris has a secret to staying on top of her mental wellbeing \u2013 a daily half-hour sleep.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The power naps help Lianne balance her life running her own social media management company and looking after Ben, seven, and five-year-old twins Matthew and Lucas with husband Ashley.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Life is hectic for the family, from Harlow, Essex, especially caring for Matthew, who is autistic.<\/p>\n

But Lianne, 36, is very aware of her body after having post-natal depression and discovered the importance of the daily nap for her mental health.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s so much stress at night-time with three children so young, so if they\u2019re not going to sleep well you know you\u2019re not going to,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMatt normally sleeps, which is brilliant, as I know that some autistic children don\u2019t. But recently he woke up at 11pm, didn\u2019t go to sleep until 4am, and was coming into the room every five to ten minutes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lianne tries to do the bulk of her work before having her nap. But if she has a heavily interrupted night with the kids she might have to sleep through the day and sacrifice her evening to work.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the perks of working for myself is that I can juggle and have my naps. I try to have one every day as I know my sleep is the trigger for my mental health,\u201d Lianne explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019ve got children and you\u2019re trying to deal with everything with bad mental health, it\u2019s exhausting and it takes a long time to recover.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lianne regularly checks in with how she\u2019s feeling mentally and emotionally, and takes little steps to address issues if she notices if anything is out of kilter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019ve been moody or snappy for three or four days that\u2019s when I know that something is not quite right.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m quite open with my husband about how I\u2019m feeling. Ashley lets me chill out, watch what I want, and he says to have a long bath.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also try and do something with the family \u2013 have a day out, and not be stuck in the house.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

A 20 to 30-minute nap, ideally between 1pm and 3pm, is enough to recharge your batteries. Taking a longer or later nap could disrupt your night-time sleep.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Puppy love<\/strong><\/h2>\n

AS a former firefighter and HR director, Jo Sellers had become used to demanding roles \u2013 so had no idea how stressful setting up her own company would be.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

But adjusting to a self-employed lifestyle as head of her new dog training business was a huge wake-up call.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were two big stressors for me \u2013 not getting a regular salary and thinking running a business was easy,\u201d recalls Jo, 53.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t realise how much I had to learn and continue to learn. After decades of being employed, that transition on a personal level for me was incredibly stressful and tough.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jo quickly realised she needed to put steps in place to protect her mental wellbeing and began by being kind to herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was realising that if I don\u2019t respond to someone or something straight away, no one is dying, unlike my fire brigade days,\u201d says Jo from Guildford, Surrey.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I can\u2019t solve a techy problem, I take the pressure off myself by going for a walk with my dog Riba.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

But the biggest stress-buster for Jo has been volunteering for a pet therapy charity, which takes her mind off work entirely.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Once a week she pops along to a local infant school where shy and less confident children read to Riba.<\/p>\n

Jo explains: \u201cIt\u2019s very relaxing for them and if they\u2019re not very confident I\u2019ll lift up Riba\u2019s ear and say to the child: \u2018She can\u2019t hear you.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives them confidence, they can touch her while they\u2019re reading \u2013 obviously Riba doesn\u2019t judge \u2013 and she just snuggles up to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt warms my heart to see these children become joyful about reading a book.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jo admits her brain is constantly whirring at home thinking about what she has to do for the business.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m volunteering at the school, I can\u2019t think about work \u2013 and it helps me completely switch off,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes me be in the here and now: it\u2019s nothing about me, nothing about my business \u2013 it\u2019s purely about the children, their joy, and my dog enjoying it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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