Tips for self-care and improving your mental health

Garryck Holmes

It’s mental health awareness week, which is so important in so many ways. Most of my friends and family know about my struggles with poor mental health, which is why this summer I’m doing a sponsored skate-a-thon and roller skating the distance between my house in Denton Holme to Princes Street in Edinburgh (91.3 miles!) to raise money for Carlisle Eden Mind, who help people like me, who struggle with their mental health. Their work is absolutely invaluable, and I’ve learnt a lot from their help and support. 

There are many ways you can use self-care to improve your mood if you don’t feel you need extra support, here are some tips from the Psychology team on how we give ourselves a boost:

Garryck Holmes: “Immerse yourself in something that you love doing. I like to roller skate or go for a walk in the woods, listen to some relaxing music (but not depressing sad songs!) and I lose myself in a painting. Working on a painting project gives me a chance to escape everything and focus on something that I enjoy.”

Philippa Laskey: “Going for a walk, getting some fresh air immediately makes me feel better. Or reading, I find it helpful to get a break from everyday life, by escaping into another world!”

Liz Bates: “I think just taking even a tiny portion of your day just for you and your own self-care (e.g. a run, a bath, 5 minutes of peace and quiet).”

Sue Wilbraham: “If something is really bothering me, I ask myself – will this matter in 5 year’s time? This helps me to gain a sense of perspective on the scale and importance of the problem- it stops me from catastrophising.”

Alison Spurgeon-Dickson: “Walking through woodland - or walking anywhere for that matter. Exercise helps to clear your mind.”

Julie Taylor: “Exercise – for me, rock climbing, as you have to live in the moment or get ouchies.”

Joe McCann: “I try to resist the urge to isolate myself. I would stress the importance of talking and socialising with your friends and family. A problem shared is a problem halved after all.”

To see Garryck’s skate-a-thon journey: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/garryck-holmes

Contact Carlisle Eden Mind: http://www.cemind.org/

Garryck Holmes is one of our Psychology Technicians. If you would like to contact him then please email him on Garryck.Holmes@cumbria.ac.uk