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It’s the seventh and final day of Mental Health Awareness Week, so we’re finishing off our series of articles by focusing on this year’s event theme: kindness. We all know that being kind to someone can brighten their day and strengthen the relationship you have with them. In fact, small acts of kindness can have an enormous impact on the world overall, as happiness spreads very quickly. In tribute to MHAW, we’re taking a look at the benefits of kindness and why it should play a crucial role in your everyday life. Better mental health Needless to say, someone who’s having a bad day can be greatly cheered up by an act of kindness. The format of this can range enormously, from large surprises such as a party in honour of their achievements, to a simple chat that allows them to take a weight off their shoulders. By being kind to someone, you help to alleviate their stress and anxiety, shoo away any depressive thoughts, make them feel valued, and turn their frown upside down,

It’s Day 6 of Mental Health Awareness Week and this time we’re focusing on the benefits of lifelong learning. Whatever you choose to learn, it can bring multiple advantages alongside the additional knowledge. Read on to find out how lifelong learning can improve your mental health and quality of life. What is it? Lifelong learning is when you choose to educate yourself voluntarily, so it’s completely self-motivated. It could be in order to advance in your career, enhance your personal life or simply add another string to your bow. How is it done? Lifelong learning can take any form you wish, ranging from a part-time degree through the Open University or another provider, to attending workshops and classes on a more casual basis. Alternatively, you could teach yourself at home using books, video tutorials and online resources, or you could get friends and family involved and learn together. What can I learn? Anything you like! Popular examples are foreign languages,

It’s Day 5 of Mental Health Awareness Week and this time we’re focusing on the benefits of hobbies. Whether it’s baking buns, making models, painting landscapes or anything else that keeps you busy, even the simplest hobbies bring multiple advantages, especially when it comes to your mental wellbeing. Relieves stress and sadness Simple yet very powerful, taking part in a hobby on a regular basis is an excellent way to alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. The more you enjoy it, the greater the effect will be on your mood. Breaks up the day Putting aside some time for your hobby can break up the day nicely, preventing you from becoming bored or spending too much time watching TV and scrolling on your phone. In turn, this helps to keep your energy levels up during the daytime. Presents a challenge No matter how amazing you are at your hobby, there’s always room for improvement and the opportunity to learn something new. The more advanced you are, the more experim

It’s Day 3 of Mental Health Awareness Week and this time we’re focusing on the benefits of regular fitness. We all know that exercise is good for us, but some of our colleagues may not realise just how many advantages it offers, from physical strength to higher levels of mental wellbeing. A healthier heart Exercising on a daily basis is great for the heart, which in turn reduces the risk of having problems later in life. Getting your heart pumping for 20-30 minutes each day will keep your heart healthy and strong, and we guarantee that you’ll feel the difference very quickly. Weight management Needless to say, exercising will help you to shed excess weight. This brings with it a variety of other health benefits, plus everyone feels a buzz when they check the scales and find they’ve lost a few pounds. (Suddenly fitting into clothes that have been hiding in your wardrobe for years is also a happy bonus.) Extra strength All types of exercise support the building of mu

It’s Day 2 of Mental Health Awareness Week and this time we’re focusing on the benefits that gardening can bring to your wellbeing. Whether you’re a green-fingered pro or only have space for a few potted plants, read on to discover how a bit of gardening can greatly improve your mental health. Alleviates sadness If you ever find yourself feeling down or suffering from depression, getting into the garden can really turn things around. Studies show that just thirty minutes outside can do wonders for your mental health, so why not pop outside during lunchtime and enjoy some al fresco while the weather is nice? Also, did you know that soil and sunshine trigger the release of serotonin? This is the hormone that stabilises your mood and increases positivity. On top of this, sunlight stimulates the production of melatonin, which helps us to balance our biological clocks and promotes a good night’s sleep. This means that doing a little gardening can bring health benefits very quickl

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, so we’re helping our colleagues around the UK and Europe to celebrate the event. Aside from the Art and Crafts Competition focused around this year’s MHAW theme of "kindness", we’re sharing tips on how to look after your mental wellbeing. First up is a guide to achieving a productive, welcoming and efficient working arrangement at home. Get comfy By this we don’t mean lying on the sofa, but instead arranging your home office so that you remain comfortable whilst working. For instance, your desk or workspace needs enough room for easy movement and your keyboard should be positioned in a way that prevents wrist ache. Also, the top of your computer screen should be at eye level or a little lower and you can adjust the brightness to prevent eye strain. Arranging your home office setup around comfort will ensure that you don’t develop aches and pains, all while helping to maintain a positive mood. Keep it clean and tidy Multiple st