The Number One Thing You Should Be Doing To Strengthen Your Mental Health
Hi everyone!
However you are feeling today, team SMASH are sending a big hug and we hope you can feel it
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, created and led by the charity Mental Health Foundation, and the focus and theme this year is getting out into nature. This is always a top tip at SMASH for strengthening our mental health, after all it's exactly how humans would have lived hundreds of thousands of years ago, so you could say we are going back to our roots when we are out in the open, surrounded by earth, wildlife and all the elements. Research shows that being with nature connects mind and body and can help to relieve stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. With this in mind, how often are you making time to be outdoors? And when you are outside are you being mindful? Are you able to notice your surroundings in all the beauty and awe that nature offers? Can you allow your senses to be fully present - what can you see, feel, hear, smell or even taste? Can you stop, breathe deep and take in everything around you? Being outdoors in nature is the perfect opportunity for a mindful minute...
If you aren't able to be outdoors as much as you would like, are you able to bring some of nature indoors to you? Indoor plants, fresh flowers and even nature documentaries can give your mood the boost it might need. Sam made a brilliant suggestion in Self Care Sunday to check in with 24/7 webcams of animals all over the world - in zoos (the lovely kind), sanctuaries and rescue centers. Pop it on while you work and find yourself connecting with the joy that animals bring! If you find one that needs to be shared with the community, let us know!
Now to some exciting news! At SMASH Mind and Body we focus on mental health 365 days a year but weeks like Mental Health Awareness Week remind us that there are many things we can do to strengthen our mind. We would like to share more tips with you all so on Sunday we are bringing back Discovery! Discovery is a 30 minute well-being workshop, much like those we host for our corporate clients, on different topics to help nurture your mind and body. This Sunday 16th at 10:30am we will host our first Discovery session of the year -
'The Number One Thing You Should Be Doing To Strengthen Your Mental Health'
As with all of our sessions, it's free and 'camera on' optional. You do not have to speak or get involved but the chat function will be open for those who do. The session will last for approximately 30 minutes so make yourself your favourite hot drink and join us! You may even want to attend our Self Care session at 10am (which this week will be 30 minutes) before we go into Discovery.
Want to know what Team SMASH think is the number one thing we should all be doing to strengthen our mental health? You'll have to be there to find out!
Another big hug in case you missed the first one!
Sam and Ash
(She/Her and He/Him)
