In times of change and uncertainty, our mental health can be severely impacted. You may feel more stressed and anxious than usual.

It’s important to look after your mental health, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed, so you’re better able to cope in your day-to-day life.

We’ve put together a list of tips that can help you improve your mental wellbeing:

Acknowledge how you’re feeling
While it’s uncomfortable, it’s vital to acknowledge our negative thoughts and feelings. Ignoring them won’t make them go away and could exacerbate them. Sharing how you’re feeling with a friend or family member can give you a sense of relief and make you feel supported. Journaling is a great way to acknowledge and process your feelings.

Remove unnecessary stress
You can make conscious choices to reduce the amount of stress you’re exposed to each day. For example, you can limit the amount of news you watch and time you spend on social media, prepare things you need for the next day the night before, and write a to-do list for your workday before you open your emails.

Practice gratitude
Several studies have found that we can experience great benefits by expressing gratitude such as increasing wellbeing and positivity, improving our relationships with others and making us more giving. It’s as simple as writing down 3-5 things you are grateful for each day.

Reframe negative thoughts
When we’re stressed, we’re more likely to be triggered and have negative thoughts. We have the power to overcome negative thoughts by recognising when they’re not accurate and by reframing them. First, recognise when you have a negative thought and how you feel. Ask yourself: Is this true? Is this helpful? How likely is this to happen? What will I gain or lose by accepting this thought? Then think about how you could reframe the thought to make it positive.

Practice mindfulness
When we are fully immersed in the present moment, we are less likely to get caught up in negative thoughts and feelings. Being mindful can remove distractions and judgement, allowing us to feel calmer and more focused. You can increase mindfulness through meditation or through simple mindfulness practices such as taking deep conscious breaths, listening to the sounds around you or thinking about the tastes, flavours and textures of the food you’re eating.

By making small changes you can retain a sense of control and shift your perceptions to build a healthier mind.