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/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Make and Take - Free Gift Making Workshops in Collyhurst

Christmas is coming and this year save some cash and make something a little more personal at our craft workshops. Come to one or come to all. Meet new people, learn new skills and warm up with a brew! All sessions 11am—1pm at Church of the Saviours, Eggington Street (off Rochdale Road), Collyhurst M40 7RN For more details please contact Laura at Zest on 908 8334 / 07834864203 or email l.cassidy@manchester.gov.uk 16th October—Sewing and Embroidering Lavender Hearts 27th November— Jewellery Making 11th December—Pop Up Cards and Gift Boxes

Free Zumba in Beswick - Ashbury Meadows

Keep-fit sessions with Natalie, our coach. Come along to this free weekly energetic activity starting Thursday 6th September 6.00pm – 7.00pm at Ashbury Meadow Primary School (Entry through the Children’s Centre) Zumba is great for weight loss, lifting mood, improving confidence and better health. Ideal for beginners. For adults aged 16+ To BOOK A PLACE please contact Laura at Zest on 908 8334 / 07834869203 or email l.cassidy@manchester.gov.uk

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/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------