Self care

Self-care means taking steps to look after both your physical and mental health to help you feel well. Doing this regularly helps improve our overall health. Research shows that maintaining good health helps us better manage life’s challenges.

Ways in which you can look after yourself

• Eat well: Try to give yourself good nutritious food. Some people enjoy cooking and learning new recipes. For ideas and tips visit: Living well
• Exercise: Regularly exercise that you enjoy is important for feeling good and staying well, especially if you get out and about in nature. For advice and ideas visit Living Well or go to your local park or green space. There are also some self-guided walks in our greenspaces.
• Sleep: Get a good night’s sleep. Having enough sleep is essential and can give your mood a boost. For more advice on how to sleep better visit: NHS Fall Asleep faster and sleep better
• Stay connected with friends and family: Stay connected with friends and family as social interactions are key to our wellbeing. This may mean finding time to make a phone call or managing your work life balance, so you have time and energy to enjoy time with people in your personal life.
• Take 25 minutes for yourself: If you can spend just a little time doing something for yourself it can make a big difference. Take up a new hobby or spend more time doing the things you enjoy such as:
• gardening or growing houseplants
• cooking and baking
• get creative and find your artistic side
• do some DIY
• play a game with friends or family such as board games, sports or rounders in the park
• or simply take a nice bath

If you need help for your health and wellbeing

• The NHS website offers extensive information on how to care for yourself and your family. Additionally, the Self-Care Forum provides useful fact sheets that you can download.
• For more advice about mental health and wellbeing, visit five ways to wellbeing
• For non-life-threatening health issues, visit your GP, pharmacist or call NHS 111 which now includes a service for mental health advice.