In light of Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, we want to help spread awareness of the power of the spoken word, and how speaking up about how you’re feeling can often be the most important step to take if you’re struggling. We are passionate about providing mental health advice and we want you to know that we’re always here for you. As part of a Linbury Doctors membership, you will have direct access to your own dedicated GP, who you can phone, text or email at any time. Our appointment times are flexible, never feel rushed and we’ll come to visit you in your own home. This is all part of our holistic approach to healthcare. If you’d like to find out more information about our memberships, visit our memberships page here.
Mental Health Awareness Week: 9th – 15th May 2022
Mental Health Awareness Week is running from 9th – 15th May 2022 and is a great way to encourage people to share their experiences, information and advice to help others. Here at Linbury, we offer mental health advice year-round to members, whenever they need or want it. We also have brilliant connections with specialists in this field should you need further support.
Mind charity is also a great resource, providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. You can speak to advisors or chat to online communities about your experiences.
The Mental Health Foundation’s theme for this year’s campaign is loneliness. Connecting to others is fundamental to protecting our mental health and wellbeing. We can all play a part in combatting this issue, as together we can raise awareness and education. Check out these resources for more information and help.
Mental Health Advice
We understand that, if you’re struggling, often the hardest thing to do is take the first step. Whether that be speaking up to a friend or family member to share your thoughts and feelings or taking a physical step outside for exercise. Studies show that there is approximately a 20% to 30% lower risk of depression and dementia for adults participating in daily physical activity.
As private GPs, we recommend spending at least 20-30 minutes doing some form of physical activity a day. Choose an activity you love, or try something new. The goal is not to lose calories, but to simply move your body in a way that makes you feel good. We’re big advocates for the Couch 2 5k programme, which guides you through building up your fitness to eventually being able to jog/run for 30 minutes.
Eat well. This has a big impact on the way we feel. Getting the right nutrients in our diet helps us feel more energised. It can improve our immunity to common illnesses such as colds.
Get enough sleep. Long-term sleep deprivation can have more severe effects on our health, so it’s important to get around 8 hours per night. Tips for getting a better night’s sleep include avoiding caffeine; getting into an evening routine; and avoiding looking at screens before you go to bed. For more tips, read our blog post here.
If you’re struggling, it is important to reach out to your GP or loved one for support. This can often feel like a daunting prospect, but is often the first step to take toward feeling better. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at 0333 050 7338, email info@linburydoctors.co.uk or visit our memberships page here.
