During Mental Health Awareness Week we are focusing on looking after our own mental health and hopefully helping you to look after yours.
It is as important as looking after your physical health.
We live and work in the countryside and face specific challenges. These might include:
- Isolation
- Financial or job insecurity
- A lack of public transport
- A lack of local services
- Limited social opportunities
- A lack of gyms and places to exercise
- The weather.
This list is not exhaustive and certainly not restricted to rural dwellers.
Over the next week we will be posting some of the ways in which we look after our own mental health. A quick poll in the office of our favourite ways to maintain good mental health:
- Walking every day
- Taking time to enjoy nature
- Spending time with our animals
- Pausing when outside to listen and watch nature
- Planning trips, visits and days out
- Gardening
- Singing along to the radio (in the car and alone for some of us!)
- Making time to enjoy the things we like.
There are sure to be things you can add to this list. Whatever it is, make sure to spend time looking after your mental health. You can read more here on the mental health UK website.