At QNET, we believe a holistic approach to wellbeing. Taking care of your mental wellbeing is an important part of living a more balanced and fulfilling life.
World Mental Health Day is a good reminder to make your wellbeing a first priority. Taking care of your mental wellbeing doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Adding simple activities to your daily routine can make a difference.
What is World Mental Health Day?
Observed on 10 October every year, World Mental Health Day is a reminder to make mental wellbeing part of our everyday lives. It also provides an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage people to take steps towards better mental wellbeing.
What are some simple ways to support your mental wellbeing?
1. Stay Connected
Connecting with people you love – your QNET family, your friends, and family – is an important building block when it comes to your mental health. Positive relationships can help us feel supported, valued and connected, especially when life gets busy or challenging.
Socialisation Tips:
- Set aside some time each day to spend quality time with your family.
- Reconnect with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.
- Spend time talking and interacting with your friends instead of scrolling on social media.
- Make a phone or video call when a text message doesn’t quite feel enough.
- Join a community, group or activity where you can meet new people who share the same interests as you.
2. Stay Active
You don’t need a gym membership to keep fit. Go for a walk, explore nature by riding a bicycle instead of driving, or play a team sport with your friends or even strangers. Find an activity that gets you moving and make it part of your weekly routine. The key is to find something you genuinely enjoy, so it feels less like a chore and more like time for yourself.
Activity Tips:
- Take a short walk during your workday.
- Try a beginner-friendly activity such as yoga, cycling, dancing or swimming.
- Put on your favourite songs and have an impromptu dance party in your living room.
- Choose the stairs or walk when you can instead of always taking the car or lift.
- Join a Zumba or boxing class, not just for the cardio but also for the fun.
3. Keep Learning
Learning a new skill can give you a sense of achievement and help build your confidence. Continuing to learn throughout life can support mental wellbeing by giving you opportunities to develop new skills, stay curious and discover new interests.
Learning doesn’t have to mean going back to school or earning another qualification. There are so many ways to introduce learning into your everyday life.
Learning Tips:
- Explore a qLearn course to develop a new skill or expand your knowledge whenever you have time.
- Take a cooking class and learn how to make your favourite dishes from scratch.
- Pick up a DIY project close to your heart, whether it’s planting a vegetable garden or creating a clubhouse for your kids.
- Follow an online tutorial to learn a skill you’ve always wanted to try, whether it’s playing a musical instrument, photography or make-up. There are plenty of classes available online.
4. Give Back – Raise Yourself to Help Mankind
Even the smallest act of kindness can have a ripple effect. Be generous with your smile and compliments; say thank you and give out kind words wherever you can; volunteer with projects that mean something to you; or simply be there for someone who needs a helping hand. Helping others can give you a sense of purpose and connection while contributing to the wellbeing of your community.
Volunteering Tips:
- Practise RYTHM and participate in the next community or volunteering event QNET organises in your country.
- Mentor an up-and-coming entrepreneur or someone who is just starting their journey.
- Help a friend or family member when they need an extra hand.
- Volunteer in local community projects, such as a soup kitchen or community hospital, or bring joy to residents of a local care home.
Whatever you choose to do this World Mental Health Day, remember that it is important to take care of yourself first before you take care of others. Making time for meaningful connections, movement, learning, and kindness can be part of building healthier everyday habits.
This article was originally published on October 2019 and has been updated for relevance.
