Free Tai Chi at Ashbury Meadow Children's Centre, Beswick

Try Tai Chi 6 week taster Every Wednesday 10—11am 14th November—19th December Ashbury Meadows Childrens Centre Tai Chi Can— Improve range of motion and flexibility Improve balance and co-ordination Strengthen joints, bone density and muscles Boost energy and enhance immune system Reduce stress, anxiety and depression Provide mental and physical stimulation Ever wondered what it’s all about—come and give it a try! For more details please contact Ashbury Meadows Childrens Centre on 0161 219 6634. Ashbury Meadow Children’s Centre Rylance Street, Beswick M11 3NA FREE CRECHE AVAILABLE To book contact Ashbury Meadows Childrens Centre.

Being Active for Better Mental Health - Free Course 14th November 2012

Being Active for Better Mental Health Duration: 1 day course (9.30-16.30) Course Aims: - To show evidence of the benefits of physical activity for mental health and general well being - To practise using behaviour change models and techniques, with individuals and groups, to help motivate clients to be more physically active - To increase the confidence of the course participants, in helping others to become more physically active ***Applicants will need to be familiar with behaviour change models to participate in this course *** Target Audience: Frontline workers and volunteers in health, social care or community settings, working with individuals or groups Trainers: Serena Kent & Shamin Malik Date: 14th November 2012 For more details and to book a place please download an application form from http://www.manchesterpublichealthdevelopment.org/mphds/training/training.html

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 10!

CARE FOR OTHERS “Friends are really important… We help each other whenever we can, so it’s a two-way street and supporting them uplifts me.” Caring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together. Why not share your skills more widely by volunteering for a local charity? Helping out can make us feel needed and valued and that boosts our self-esteem. It also helps us see the world from another angle. That can help to put our own problems in perspective. Find out more about volunteering at www.do-it.org.uk. Caring for a pet can improve your wellbeing too. The bond between you and your pet can be as strong as between people. Looking after a pet can bring structure to your day and act as a link to other people. Lots of people make friends by chatting to fellow dog walkers. All of these tips have been taken from the Mental Health Foundation and can be found in full here http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 9!

DO SOMETHING YOU'RE GOOD AT What do you love doing? What activities can you lose yourself in? What did you love doing in the past? Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it and achieving something boosts your self-esteem. Concentrating on a hobby like gardening or the crossword can help you forget your worries for a while and change your mood. “I’m learning the guitar. You have to really concentrate on getting it right so there’s no room in my head for worries.” It can be good to have an interest where you’re not seen as someone’s mum or dad, partner or employee. You’re just you. An hour of sketching lets you express yourself creatively. A morning on the football pitch gets you active and gives you the chance to meet new people. All of these tips have been taken from the Mental Health Foundation and can be found in full here - http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 8!

ASK FOR HELP None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things go wrong. If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help. Your family or friends may be able to offer practical help or a listening ear. Local services are there to help you. For example, you could: •Join a support group like Weight Watchers or Alcoholics Anonymous to help you make changes to your life •Find a counsellor to help you deal with your feelings or make a fresh start •Call the council about noise nuisance •Visit a Citizens Advice Bureau if you want advice on debt Your GP may be able to refer you to a counsellor. You should consider getting help from your GP if difficult feelings are: •Stopping you getting on with life •Having a big impact on the people you live or work with •Affecting your mood over several weeks Over a third of visits to GPs are about mental health. Your GP may suggest ways you or your family can help you. Or they may refer you to a specialist or another part of the health service. All tips are taken from the Mental Health Foundation and can be found in full here http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 7!

DRINK SENSIBLY Drink SensiblyHome > Help & Information > Look After Your Mental Health > Drink Sensibly We often drink alcohol to change our mood. Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only temporary. When the drink wears off, you feel worse because of the way alcohol withdrawal symptoms affect your brain and the rest of your body. Drinking is not a good way to manage difficult feelings. Apart from the damage too much alcohol can do to your body, you would need more and more alcohol each time to feel the same short-term boost. There are healthier ways of coping with tough times. Occasional light drinking is perfectly healthy and enjoyable for most people. Stay within the recommended daily alcohol limits: •3 to 4 units a day for men •2 to 3 units a day for women Many people also smoke or use drugs or other substances to change how they feel. But, again, the effects are short-lived. Just like alcohol, the more you use, the more you crave. Nicotine and drugs don’t deal with the causes of difficult feelings. They don’t solve problems, they create them. All of these tips have been taken from the Menatal Health Foundation and can be found here - http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 6!

KEEP ACTIVE Experts believe exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep, look and feel better. Exercise also keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy. “I get a huge buzz from my rock ’n’ roll class. Hours later, my legs ache, but I’m still smiling.” Exercising doesn’t just mean doing sport or going to the gym. Walks in the park, gardening or housework can also keep you active. Experts say most people should do about 30 minutes’ exercise at least five days a week. Try to make physical activity that you enjoy a part of your day. “It’s increased my confidence, as I’ve proved to myself that I can do things, and I’m also much fitter and have lost weight. We always have a lot of fun.” All of these tips have come from the Mental Health Foundation and can be found here http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zest run over 50 activities a week throughout North Manchester - a lot of them physical activity. So get down to a Zest session, get moving and get happy!

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 5!

ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE Some of us make people laugh, some are good at maths, others cook fantastic meals. Some of us share our lifestyle with the people who live close to us, others live very differently. We’re all different. It’s much healthier to accept that you’re unique than to wish you were more like someone else. Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence to learn new skills, visit new places and make new friends. Good self-esteem helps you cope when life takes a difficult turn. “Being happy with who I am now means I enjoy living in the moment.” Be proud of who you are. Recognise and accept what you are not good at, but focus on what you can do well. Work out if there’s anything about yourself that you still want to change. Are your expectations realistic? If they are, work towards the change in small steps. These tips have been taken from the Mental Health Foundation's website and can be found at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 4!

Take a Break A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you. Give yourself some ‘me time’. “Sometimes when I’m sitting on the bus, I let my thoughts flow and it really helps me.” Taking a break may mean being very active. It may mean not doing very much at all. Take a deep breath… and relax. Try yoga or meditation, or just putting your feet up. Listen to your body. If you’re really tired, give yourself time to sleep. Without good sleep, our mental health suffers and our concentration goes downhill. Sometimes the world can wait. These tips have been taken from The Mental Health Foundation and can be found at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 3!

KEEP IN TOUCH "Just chilling out with friends relaxes me. We have a laugh and I feel good.” Strong family ties and supportive friends can help you deal with the stresses of life. Friends and family can make you feel included and cared for. They can offer different views from whatever’s going on inside your own head. They can help keep you active, keep you grounded and help you solve practical problems. There’s nothing better than catching up with someone face-to-face. But that’s not always possible. Give them a call, drop them a note or chat to them online instead. Keep the lines of communication open. It’s good for you! These tips have been taken from The Mental Health Foundation's website which can be found here http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 2!

EAT WELL There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel – for example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect. But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health. A diet that’s good for your physical health is also good for your mental health. A healthy balanced diet includes: •Lots of different types of fruit and vegetables •Wholegrain cereals or bread •Nuts and seeds •Dairy products •Oily fish •Plenty of water Eat at least 3 meals each day and drink plenty of water. Try to limit how many high-caffeine or sugary drinks you have, and avoid too much alcohol. Please Note: The advice on this page may not apply if your doctor or dietician have given you specific dietary advice, e.g. if you are a kidney patient or a diabetic. Zest run healthy eating and cooking sessions throughout North Manchester for more details please contact Rose Boyd - Food Co-ordinator on 0161 908 2880 or email r.boyd@manchester.gov.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health - Number 1!

Over the next ten working days we will be listing the top ten ways to look after your mental health as recommended by the Mental Health Foundation. Talk About Your Feelings Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled. Talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy. All ten of the top tips are taken from The Mental Health Foundations Website which can be found at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/10-ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health/