look after yourself: ideas about wellbeing

Look after yourself.Ideas about mental wellbeing.

As we grow up we learn how to look after our bodies, we brush our teeth, we become conscious of diet, however we don’t always learn how to look after our mind.

This set of cards aims to give people ideas about how to look after their mental wellbeing. These ideas come from the personal experiences of some of many people who experience mental health issues.

In 2008 The New Economics Foundation conducted a study to identify evidence based actions to improve mental wellbeing. These actions were to connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give. These actions are reflected in the way the people featured in this book look after themselves.

Feel free to use the blank cards to draw and write your own ideas about wellbeing.

Thank you to all the people who helped make this book by sharing their ideas about wellbeing.

“For me depression is a blue furry monster huddled in the corner glaring at everyone. He’s shouting ‘stop looking at me”.

- Anonomous, age 36

What advice would you give your younger self about keeping your mind healthy?

“To stop worring about what the world thinks of you,do things that make you happy and be good to those who care about you”

What keeps your mind healthy now?

“Expressing my emotions keeps me healthy. A good rant clears the mind and avoids resentment building up. A good cry is cleansing and laughter can heal any ailment. So if all elsewfails sit sown in front of the telly and find something that makes you laugh until you cry”

“Anxiety is like trying to rescue a balloon that your certain will burst”

- Anonymous, age 16

What advice would you give your younger self about keeping your mind healthy?

“Admitting something is wrong is not weak - it’s strong because it helps you start to find a solution”


“Whenever I feel stressed of anxious I accept I feel that way and do something to calm myself down or cheer myself up. I play my guitar or learn something new.

“When I was suffering with depression I imagined myself as a little rain cloud. I felt like it described myself and the effect I had on others”

-Anonymous, age 24.

What advice would you give your younger self about mental wellbeing?

It’s not as hard as you think to get help and advice, you’re not over-reacticting, you just need a solution. None of your thoughts are too ‘ridiculous’ to talk about to a doctor.


“surrounding myself with good people. I keep intellecturally and physically stimulated. I know people who have combated mental health issues with reading and getting into literature”

“I see depression as ivy wrapping around me that needs to be cut away to be able fir me to see the light”

-Tricia, age 47

What helped you get through your experience?

“Being kind to myself, knowing that the feeling wont last forever and escaping to do photography” What advice would you give your younger self about mental wellbeing?

“To keep talking and not to judge and it could happen to anyone”


“Knowing my early warning signs and keeping myself busy and using creativity to help my wellbeing”

“To me it’s like an onion, you constantly go through different layers, sometimes sweet, most of the time it makes your eyes water”

-Jess, age 21.


“Join a gymn, it’s a good way to vent out anger”

“Like duck in the river; on the surface the duck is floating along calmly but underneath it’s feet are paddling drastically”

-Anonymous, age 19


“My friends and family and listening to music and lyrics! What advice would you give your younger self about mental wellbeing?

“Speak out sooner and don’t be ashamed”


“Volunteer work, pushing myself to do ‘normal’ things and keep ‘dipping my toe in the water”

“Like trying to catch a ton weight”

-Anonymous, age 40


“Excercise, I forcing myself to mix with your friends whenI want to shut myself away. I also don’t read newspapers or watch the news when I know it’ll get to me. A lightbox also works really well, eating well, pampering myself and getting as much fresh air as possible”

“Like elastic. One minute I feel fine but when I feel down it’s like elastic that keeps pulling me back and forth”

-Anonymous, age 39


“Art and talking to close friends”


Talk!


“Photography, community projects and talking to people”

Designed by Emma Saynorwww.emmasaynor.co.uk

for

Time to Change Leedswww.timetochangeleeds.co.uk