It helps strengthen your relationships and connect with people. Talking things through helps you to release tension, rather than keeping it inside. Talk and shareĬommunication is important, whether it's with a friend, family member or counsellor.

Writing a 'to do' list for the next day before bed can organise your thoughts and clear your mind of any distractions. Adults should aim for 150 minutes a week.įind out how exercise can help with depression Get enough sleepĪround 7 to 8 hours is the average amount of sleep an adult needs for their body and mind to fully rest. If it helps, do it with a friend or listen to music. It can help you sleep better, have more energy and keep your heart healthy.Ĭhoose an exercise that you enjoy. Do some exerciseĮven moderate exercise releases chemicals in your brain that lift your mood. Aim to have a balanced diet that includes all the main food groups. You're doing something positive for yourself, which lifts your self-esteem.Ī good diet helps your brain and body work efficiently, too. Making healthy choices about your diet can make you feel emotionally stronger. Read more about the effects of alcohol on your health and get simple tips to help you cut down. It can also make you feel more depressed. When times are hard, it's tempting to drink alcohol because it 'numbs' painful feelings.īut it can exaggerate some feelings and make you feel angry or aggressive. Have a healthy lifestyle Limit your alcohol intake Tell yourself something positive instead, such as: 'You're a bright person, you'll get the next job'. Notice when you're putting yourself down, such as thinking, 'You're so stupid for not getting that job', and instead think, 'Would I say that to my best friend?'. The best way to improve your self-esteem is to treat yourself as you'd treat a valued friend, in a positive but honest way. Self-esteem is the way you feel about yourself. Try to avoid things that seem enjoyable at the time but make you feel worse afterwards, such as drinking too much alcohol or eating junk food. Simple activities like watching sports with a friend, having a soak in the bath or meeting up with friends for coffee can all improve your day.ĭoing something you're good at, such as cooking or dancing, is a good way to enjoy yourself and have a sense of achievement.

Enjoy yourselfĭoing things that you enjoy is good for your emotional wellbeing. If you have feelings of anxiety along with your stress, breathing techniques can help. Try this breathing exercise for stress. Taking control of your time in this way can effectively reduce stress. Introduce regular exercise and time to yourself. If you have a lot of stress in your life, find ways to reduce it, such as learning a few time-management techniques.

Try our 6 tips to help you be happier, more in control, and able to cope better with life's ups and downs.

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