Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

We can’t underestimate the importance of looking after our mental health. For so long, discussion around our thoughts, feelings, and emotions has been shrouded in shame and secrecy. Here are two statistics that lay all this bare: every single year, 1 in 4 of us will experience some form of mental health challenge – and there are currently 2 million people on waiting lists for NHS mental health services. Many people still feel that they can’t open up and talk about anxiety and depression.

That must change.

We want to get the dialogue going, so we’re proud to be participating in this year’sMental Health Awareness Week 2024.

MHAW 2024

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week UK takes place between the 13th and 19th May and focuses on encouraging people to discover simple ways to move their bodies for better mental wellbeing.

Finding ‘moments for movement’ in your daily routine can help immeasurably with your overall health. Whether it’s taking a few steps up the road, or queuing up a list of your favourite tunes and swaying in your kitchen or living room – there are lots of simple ways to find joy in exercise – and boost your brain too.

Understanding mental health: a journey of wellbeing

How do we define our mental health? Well, let's take it step by step…

It includes the following aspects of our lifestyles:

• emotional health
• psychological behaviour
• social wellbeing

How we feel mentally can affect the way we think and act in our daily lives, too. If we’re honest, there probably aren’t many of us who can say our lives haven’t been impacted by stress at some point – either from challenges at work or issues in our personal lives. Sometimes these feelings can lead to longer-term problems – causing anxiety and depression.

How do we know if we have one, or both? Well, common feelings of anxiety include:

• Trouble concentrating
• Inability to make decisions
• Feeling irritable
• Muscular tension and/or restlessness
• Nausea or IBS-type symptoms
• Heart palpitations or ‘flutterings’
• Sweating, trembling, or shaking.
• Insomnia
• Feeling a sense of impending panic

Likewise, depression is more than just feeling down or having an occasional bad day. If these feelings persist for a longer period, you may indeed be depressed.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Feelings of sadness and persistent anxiety
• Missing out on activities you previously enjoyed
• Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Appetite issues – eating more than usual, or not wanting to eat
• Trouble with concentration
• Feelings of emptiness, worthlessness and guilt
• Suicidal ideation

What positive things can we do to help ourselves? Well, the old adage is true, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’, and when we reach out and ask for help it’s a hugely positive step.

There are so many excellent resources out there to get help and advice from, if you’re struggling this mental health week (and all year round).

Charities such as:

• Mind
• Rethink
• Mental Health Foundation

All offer support and advice on how to cope when life feels tough. Sometimes, just knowing these resources are there and ready when you need them, can help you feel less alone.

Moving for our mental health

Scientists have long talked about the connection between our physical health and our mental health. A third of people with long-term physical health conditions also have a co-morbid mental health issue – usually depression or anxiety. How can we tackle this?

Movement and physical activity.

They’re both a great way to boost your mood. Even if you have low mobility, simple exercises from bed, including ankle and leg stretches – or from the comfort of your chair can keep your limbs supple.

This Mental Health Awareness Week why not give it a go?

Making movement work for you this Mental Health Awareness Week.

Here at PHP, we recognise that low mobility can impact how motivated you are to exercise – no matter how gentle. So it’s important to be kind to yourself…small steps can make a huge difference over time. And remember, we’re always here to help and advise you.

Let’s put our best foot forward…