World Health Day: Take care of you!

#WorldHealthDay comes at a significant time in the world as we face unprecedented challenges. Now more than ever it's important to take care of ourselves and protect our mental wellbeing too.

So why not take a step back and start with some self-care?

Talk about your feelings: Sharing your feelings and worries can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you're feeling particularly troubled. Getting things off your chest can make a big difference.
Keep active: Exercise can boost your self-esteem and make you feel much better and you can do it from your home. There's plenty of youtube tutorials for any type of activity. Why not try something new?
Keep in touch: Send a message, type a text, give someone a call. You don't need to wait for a face to face chat with someone. If you're not feeling well and you're struggling to cope then get in touch with someone straight away.
Ask for help: Everyone needs help from time to time and it's ok to ask for help when you need it. If things are getting too much for you then ask for help. There's tons of brilliant supportive services that can help you. Streetwise in Newcastle offer free counselling services for young people aged 11-25 and Mind offer a range of mental health support or even put you in touch with someone that can help. If you need urgent help or are experiencing suicidal thoughts then call HOPElineUK for free, non-judgmental support on 0800 068 41 41 or call Samaritans for free on 08457 90 90 90 who can support you 24/7.
Take a break: Taking a pause can help you regroup and de-stress so don't put off taking some you time.
Do something you enjoy: If you love doing something then do it often. It'll make you feel better and can help beat stress and boost your self-esteem. Whether it's drawing, singing, painting or knitting - get started!
Accept who you are: It's good to be unique and it's ok to not feel ok so accept it and get help if you need it.
Care for others: Open your ears to others and make sure you're there for them too. Friends are really important to our wellbeing and being open and honest about how you're feeling and coping can strengthen relationships and make your bond stronger.