Christians Against Poverty - Monthly Advice Column

By Christians Against Poverty on 18/04/2023

Miles Picknell,  Manager of the Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre,  Upminster

Five ways to improve your mental wellbeing in 2023

With the cost of living crisis, rising food prices and energy bills shooting up, we all need a little help to stay positive and look after our mental health right now. And as we approach Mental Health Awareness Week next month (15-21 May), it’s a great time to rethink how we can all look after ourselves and each other.

Have a chat and a brew

As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved, and it’s true. Take a few minutes away from the rush and open up to a trusted friend or family member about how you’re feeling. It can be a great way to relieve stress, get a fresh perspective and find clarity. Brew optional.

Reflect on the good stuff

Everyone has moments when it feels like everything is falling apart, and when you’re in that place it's really tough to be thankful for anything. Taking the time to identify the good things in our lives, no matter how small, can provide us with a greater sense of perspective and help us develop a longer term view about our current situation. Why not take some time each day to write down a few things you’re grateful for? 

Set small mental health goals

In our busy, chaotic lives, mental wellbeing often drops down the priority list, and it can end up becoming a bigger problem as a result. We all know that fresh air, exercise, healthy eating, budgeting your money well, laughing, dancing, getting creative or joking with friends are wonderful ways to improve our mental wellbeing, but unless we allocate specific time to do these things, they often don’t happen, so aim to make it a part of your regular routine.

Ask for help

Asking for help can be really tough. Many of us want to feel like we can handle things on our own, but there’s no shame in seeking support, and it can make a massive difference. Whether you’re asking for support with your mental health, advice on completing a practical task or guidance around your finances, there’s plenty of help available. 

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) offers free support to people struggling financially. Visit capuk.org to find out more about the help we offer.