5 Ways To Maintain Positive Mental Health

May 15th, 2024

In a recent industry report, 73% of UK tradespeople have experienced mental health problems with a further 20% of people personally not experiencing mental health issues but knowing other tradespeople who had. At Brewers, we are committed to supporting not only our colleagues but also our customers and encouraging an open conversation around mental health. Here are 5 tips from one of our trained mental health first aiders to help you maintain positive mental health.

5 Ways To Maintain Positive Mental Health

1. Check in with yourself.

Taking time to think about where you are in your life right now might seem overwhelming, but this is the first step in helping you lead a happier life. Thinking about work, health, family, finances, the environment you live in, friendships and hobbies – what areas are thriving and what areas could use some work? What can you do to improve the areas you are unhappy with? Journalling can be a great way to jot these thoughts down and provide a space for you to regularly check in with yourself. There are some fantastic planners on the market that can guide you through this.

2. What fills your cup?

What brings you the most joy? There are so many things that people are really passionate about and love doing, but never quite find the time to spend on these passions. Think about this time as recharging your batteries. When you put your phone into low power mode, it can no longer function the way you need it to. By investing time into the things that bring you joy, you will find that the things you have to do don’t feel as oppressive or overwhelming. This can look very different for each person. Some find that spending time with friends and family is the perfect reset, while others might find it quite draining and would prefer to read a good book instead…and that is perfectly okay. Do what makes you happy to recharge.

3. How full is your stress container right now?

Think about everything in your life that is causing you stress right now…does it feel manageable? If you feel like your stress levels are overflowing, then it’s time to ask for help. You might run the risk of burnout if the stress is too much, and this can be so debilitating. This is where you need to turn to your support network before reaching this point. If your stress container feels pretty manageable, that’s great! Think about why that is and how you can maintain healthy stress levels.

4. Who is your support network?

Figuring out who the best people are in your life to support you is so important. Who can you talk to at work to help carry your load? Who can you talk to if you are struggling day to day? Who can you spend time with that will make you feel relaxed? Who do you enjoy spending your time with? Understanding how people can support you through your work and personal life is a great way to feel connected. If you need extra support, don’t forget to lean on professionals who will be able to help – these might be Mental Health First Aiders in your workplace. No matter who you lean on, if you are struggling, share your load.

5. What is detrimental to you?

Figuring out the things that might cause more harm than good in your life can really help you mentally, whilst also freeing up some time doing the things you love! One of the biggest distractors of today are our phones. Before you roll your eyes at me, I’m not saying that you need to not be on your phone at all and lock it in a box. They are so helpful with many useful tools, but sometimes we can spend just a bit too long scrolling social media pointlessly. If you want a home truth, head to your settings and see exactly how much time you spend in certain apps, and I bet it’s much higher than you care to admit. Use your phone’s settings to help you manage this but setting time limits to help you switch off. The amount of sleep and the quality of sleep is also hugely important for our brain to get the rest it needs, so make sure you’re getting the right amount of rest.

This list is by no means extensive but offers some thought-provoking ways to start focusing on your wellbeing. Don’t forget, if you think you might have a mental health problem or you have suffered from a mental health crisis, please seek advice and support from a professional. There are plenty of organisations across the UK that will help>>