Taking care of me
There are many things we can do to take care of ourselves, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Sometimes, a change in one are can positively impact change in other areas.
Healthy Eating
To help us grow well, maintain a healthy weight, and keep our bodies working as well as they can, we need to choose food and drinks that will benefit our body. Our government has produced healthy eating guidelines called the ‘Eatwell Guide’ which in most cases should be followed by everyone (people with medical needs that require a specialist diet and children under the age of 2 are not). The guidance is designed to give us the right information to make healthy choices and help develop lifelong positive eating (and drinking) habits.
This video will explain the Eatwell Guide and help you understand what you should be eating in a day to stay healthy
Find more information at:
Food Standards Scotland
Healthy Recipes
Cooking from scratch takes time and skill, but if you take the time to learn and enjoy cooking, then you can make yourself some healthy recipes and make sure you are maximising on the ‘Eatwell Guide’. It doesn’t matter how much experience in cooking you have, ‘Confidence to Cook’ will help you build your skills and give you some inspiration to develop a selection of home cooked tasty meals.
For recipes, access Confidence to Cook.
5 Ways of Wellbeing
What is wellbeing? The simplest way to describe wellbeing is that it is about feeling good, living safely and healthily. Everything we do, think, feel and believe influences our wellbeing and making positive lifestyle choices can help to improve overall health and wellness.
Try using the 5 ways of wellbeing to maintain positive wellbeing –
Connect
There is strong evidence that indicates that feeling close to, and valued by, other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to functioning well in the world.
It’s clear that social relationships are critical for promoting wellbeing and for acting as a buffer against mental ill health for people of all ages.With this in mind, think about:
It’s clear that social relationships are critical for promoting wellbeing and for acting as a buffer against mental ill health for people of all ages.With this in mind, think about:
- Talking to and really listening to people.
- Start a conversation with neighbour, friend or someone new.
Be Active
Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups.Exercise is essential for slowing age-related cognitive decline and for promoting well-being.
It doesn’t have to be intense, even something like walking, can be beneficial. Here are some ideas:
- Go for a walk at lunchtime.
- Have a kick-about at a local park.
- Do some easy stretches.
Keep Learning
Continued learning through life enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life. Here are a few ideas:
- Read the news or a book.
- Research something.
- Try new activities.
Take Notice
Reminding yourself to ‘take notice’ and be aware of what is happening around you.
Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances your well-being and savouring ‘the moment’ can help to reaffirm your life priorities. Here are a few ideas:
Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances your well-being and savouring ‘the moment’ can help to reaffirm your life priorities. Here are a few ideas:
- Have a ‘clear the clutter’ day.
- Take notice of how you (or family and friends) are feeling today.
- Try a new walk.
Give
Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period is associated with an increase in wellbeing.
Try an act of kindness today.
To learn more, you can go to the Five ways to wellbeing page.
Physical Activity
Being active is hugely important, it not only keeps us physically fit but can also have vast mental health benefits too.
Sport Aberdeen have created Get Active @ Home, your FREE one-stop resource to staying safe and staying active whilst indoor venues are closed. You can choose from on-demand HIIT, HIIT Step and Yoga classes, or try a workout inspiration card – there is something for everyone. If you are an older adult or are looking for a lower impact activity, try on-demand Active Lifestyles classes. To help look after mental health and wellbeing there are blogs on meditation and how to use exercise to benefit mood and mind.
There are lots more ideas to get active:
Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is about how you’re feeling right now, and how well you can cope with daily life.
Having good mental wellbeing can help us:
- Feel and express a range of emotions
- Have confidence and positive self-esteem
- Have good relationships with others
- Enjoy and get the best out of the world around us
- Cope with stress and adapt when things change
Our mental wellbeing can change from moment to moment, day to day, or month to month. Sometimes our mental wellbeing changes because of things that happen to us in the past and the present and sometimes it changes for no specific reason. When this happens, it can affect the way we feel about ourselves and others, and about the things we face in our lives.
Good or positive mental wellbeing doesn’t mean you’ll always be happy. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, or low sometimes. But if you have poor wellbeing for a long time you might start to find things more difficult to cope with.
Regularly taking part in meditation, relaxation and mindfulness can help to maintain a positive mental wellbeing.
Free meditation and mindfulness apps:
SAMH
SAMH has a wellbeing assessment. This wellbeing assessment uses a well-researched tool to measure wellbeing. Good mental wellbeing is about feeling good and functioning well. You may find that your mood goes both up and down so use this tool to monitor yourself over time.
Please note: this tool is not intended to replace a consultation with a GP if you are struggling.
Use the wellbeing tool.
SilverCloud
SilverCloud is an online programme that will help teach you techniques to reduce symptoms of low mood, anxiety and stress. Read more about SilverCloud Health self-help programmes and sign up.
Sleepio is a digital sleep improvement program that is scientifically proven to help overcome poor sleep and thereby improve mental health. Sleepio is not recommended for people under the age of 18 years old or pregnant women. Find out more information about Sleepio and sign up.