Self Care Forum website
One small change can make a big difference to Self Care
Examples of things to try include:
- Get active: Exercise for at least 20 minutes a day. Walk to pick up the children from school, take the stairs instead of a lift, or even just go for a walk or dance around the kitchen table to your favourite songs.
- Eat well: Start by swapping unhealthy snacks for healthy options such as nuts, seeds and fruit, and switch full sugar drinks to low/no sugar versions. Ask your pharmacist for advice on managing your weight.
- Make positive changes: Take steps to stop unhealthy habits that don’t serve you well. Plan to stop smoking, reduce your alcohol intake and get active! Your pharmacist can help with lifestyle changes such as weight management and stop smoking services.
- Rest: A good night’s sleep is as essential to our health and wellbeing as eating healthily and exercising, so make sure you get the recommended 7-8 hours a night.
- Stop: With busy lives, we sometimes forget to slow down and stop. Find time in your day to just quieten your mind. Try mindfulness or yoga, or focus on a relaxing hobby.
“Often, one small change is enough to make a big difference to your wellbeing. For instance, choosing to become more active will not only improve your physical health, it will also boost your mood, particularly if you choose to exercise outdoors in the fresh air.”
This year more than ever, it’s vital to care for your mental as well as physical health. Simple changes like getting more exercise and making healthy food choices are beneficial, but there are also free and confidential local services available for anyone who needs a little extra support.
This year more than ever, it’s vital to care for your mental as well as physical health. Simple changes like getting more exercise and making healthy food choices are beneficial, but there are also free and confidential local services available for anyone who needs a little extra support.
Visit ease-the-load.org for more information about mental health support in your area. If you or somebody you know is experiencing a crisis, call the 24/7 helpline on: 0800 008 6516 (Black Country) or 0121 262 3555 (West Birmingham).
Download the self-care presentation from November 2019 (PDF, 762KB)