10/10/2025
TOO IMPORTANT NOT TO POST TWICE
Today is Mental Health Day
We often talk about self-care as a luxury, but it's a necessity. It doesn't have to be a spa day; it can be just five minutes. That's all I'm asking—a small investment that pays huge dividends for your mental and physical well-being.
Your five minutes are waiting so use them:
• Before you get out of bed
• On your commute (on the bus, tube, or waiting for a train)
• While the kettle boils
• During a walk
• Before you go to sleep
Choose Your 5-Minute Recharge. Choose the one that feels easiest right now. Just commit to the clock and focus entirely on the task.
1. Anchor Yourself & Breathe These exercises help calm your nervous system and bring you back to the present.
Breathe for 5 minutes: Set a timer and intentionally do nothing else. Follow the air in and out, noticing the sensation.
Be Quiet & Present: Don't check your phone. Just sit and mindfully notice what you see, hear, and smell in the space around you.
2. Shift Your Focus These activities help interrupt negative thought patterns and cultivate a more positive outlook.
Practice Gratitude: Quickly list 10 things you are genuinely thankful for, no matter how small (e.g., a warm cup of coffee, a comfy chair, a good song).
Listen & Escape: Put on one quiet or peaceful song and listen to the whole thing without interruption.
3. Move Your Body
Movement is a proven mood booster. Take an Intentional Walk: For five minutes, walk somewhere and pay attention to how your feet feel hitting the ground. Notice the trees, the sky, or the buildings, focusing outward, not inward.
Just enjoy being at peace for five minutes. This simple act is you actively choosing to help yourself manage life better. Self-care is not selfish. It's a survival tool. What five minutes will you claim today?
If you are struggling with your mental health, please know that you are not alone. There are compassionate people, organisations, and professionals (like GPs/doctors) ready to offer confidential support and guidance.
Here are 6 organisations offering mental health support:
1. Samaritans: 24/7 confidential emotional support for anyone in distress, feeling suicidal, or needing someone to talk to. Phone 116 123 (free, any time)
2. Mind: Offers information, helplines, legal advice, and advocacy for people with mental health problems
Phone: 0300 123 3393
3. SANE: Provides emotional support, guidance, and information for people affected by mental illness and their carers. Phone: 0300 304 7000
4. Rethink Mental Illness: Offers advice, information, and support groups for people experiencing severe mental health issues, plus guidance on legal and benefits matters. Phone: 0808 801 0525
5. CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Focused on preventing male su***de and offering helpline and webchat support for anyone struggling. Phone: 0800 58 58 58
6. YoungMinds: Provides mental health support for young people and their parents/carers. Phone: 0808 802 5544
If You Need Support, Please Reach Out