Wellbeing
Tips to improve your wellbeing
Talk about your feelings or worries with someone. Don’t struggle on by yourself, talk to family or friends about how you are feeling. Talking to someone about how you feel can often help reduce your anxiety and help you to see things from a different perspective. If you have no one to talk to, think about calling one of the telephone support services below.
Deal with problems, don’t avoid them. If your problems are mounting up or you are struggling with a big problem, break it down into smaller chunks and deal with one bit at a time. If you are unable to sort the problem out yourself and need help; pick up the phone and call one of the support services below.
Prioritise. Decide what has to be done and what can wait; it may help to make a list and put the priorities in order of importance. Try to make time for things that you enjoy and value in your life.
Sleep Well. Lack of sleep reduces your ability to handle stress and can affect your mood. If you are not getting enough sleep, try to look at ways of improving this (see the listed self -help leaflets below for useful information on sleep).
Healthy eating- Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables; try to reduce fatty and fried food and food high in sugar and salt. For more advice on healthy eating visit: – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well
Exercise- Try to find time to exercise in your day; just 30 minutes can be beneficial and if you struggle with low mood, stress or anxiety, regular exercise can really make a difference to the way you feel. Take a walk, cycle, swim, join a fitness or dance class and try to make it part of your daily or weekly routine.
For further information visit:- www.nhs.uk/Livewell www.nhs. uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/mental-benefits-of-exercise.aspx
Mindfulness- Involves being more present and in the moment rather than dwelling on the past and worrying about the future. If we can be more in the moment we can enjoy the world around us more. Going over unhelpful thoughts does not benefit us and can increase anxiety and lower mood. For further information on Mindfulness visit:- www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mindfulness or see the mindfulness information below:
See NHS Five Steps to mental wellbeing at :- www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbein
Mental Health & Wellbeing contacts
NHS 24 hour Urgent mental health helpline
Provide 24 hour urgent mental health support:
Contact:- 0800 0328 728 (Press OPTION 1)
Out of Hours GP Service for Staffordshire; Contact:-111
If there is immediate danger of serious harm or risk to life Contact:- 999
To search for a helpline or community service you can visit the following websites:
https://findahelpline.com
Other Mental Health Helplines
The Samaritans
Provide telephone and face-to-face support for anyone who needs to talk to someone at any time of the day or night; you do not need to be suicidal to contact this service.
National Samaritans Helpline (24 hour support):
116 123 (Free number)
0330 094 5717 (Local call charges apply)
Email:- jo@samaritans.org
For your local Samaritans Branches in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle, Leek and Stafford; please call 116 123 or visit their
website at https://www.samaritans.org
SANE
Offer emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental health issues and improve their quality of life
Contact:- 0300 304 7000 Open Daily 4pm-10pm
website:- http://www.sane.org.uk
Mental Health Support Services
The provision of free one-to-one and group support for those struggling with a range of mental health issues, including low mood, anxiety, panic, stress, phobias etc.
Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Talking Therapies
Provide free, confidential talking therapy if you are struggling with mental health/emotional issues. You can self-refer via the website or by calling them.
Contact details:-
Contact: 0300 303 0923
Website:- Home – Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Talking Therapies
Changes Health and Wellbeing Service
Changes is a user-led organisation and offers a unique recovery service throughout Staffordshire for those struggling with any type of mental distress; they offer the 12 step recovery programme, support groups, mental health training and many resources. Visit their website below:
Website:- http://www.changes.org.uk
The Dove Service
Provide bereavement counselling & terminal illness counselling for residents in Stoke-On-Trent and North Staffordshire
Contact:-01782 914455
website:- www.thedoveservice.org.uk
Mind
Provide nationwide Mental Health information and support
Mental Health Support Line:- 0300 102 1234
North Staffs Mind
Provide mental health support, information & counselling
Contact:- 01782 262100; website:- http://nsmind.org.uk/
Everyone Health
Commissioned by Staffordshire County Council, Everyone Health is a free health, fitness and wellbeing service that can help with weight management and stop smoking. For more information visit:-
website:- https://staffordshire.everyonehealth.co.uk
Contact:- 0333 005 0095
For further information on healthy living, including healthy eating & exercise visit:-
www.nhs.uk/live-well
https://www.nhs.uk/change4life
Mental Wellbeing Self-Help Website and Resource
Provides self-help support, information and self-help literature on a range of mental wellbeing issues such as depression and low mood, anger, anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias, post-natal depression and sleep problems
Northumbria University Self-help leaflets
http://www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/northumbria/
Mindfulness
These websites provide further information/practical exercises on Mindfulness; used regularly mindfulness can help to reduce anxiety and improve mood. For more information on mindfulness visit:-
www.getselfhelp.co.uk/mindfulness.htm
freemindfulnss.org
Practical Mindfulness Exercises:-
Daily Calm | 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation | Be Present – YouTube
Mindfulness Meditation 3 Minute Breathing Space