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World Mental Health Day 2023

This week we mark World Mental Health Day, a day for raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change.

As the Mental Health Foundation says, it’s important to talk about mental health and how we look after it, so to mark WMHD this year as an agency we were keen to catch up with one another to share (and celebrate!) the things we do for ourselves to support our own mental wellbeing.

Some may be more universal than others, but hopefully this helps spark a new idea about how you can take some time for yourself and your wellbeing.

• Outdoor swimming – Hampstead Heath ponds are a firm favourite, or the local lido

• Yoga – from a daily 5-10 minutes, to your local hot yoga class

• Ditch the doomscroll – put on a podcast or some music and enjoy resting your eyes! The ‘Rest is Politics’ has been recommended, though that may not always be the most relaxing listening… Or take on a digital ‘spring’ clean, unfollowing content you are finding a less than helpful influence (and maybe that will remind you about barriers you can put up in the real world too)

• Find a fresh perspective – take a new route on your commute, or walk a familiar route backwards. And remember to look up! It will soon be the season for a walk on a brisk Autumn morning in a warm jumper

• Switch off by switching on – sometimes a reality TV binge or fun murder mystery can be the different headspace you need. There’s something for all tastes too – ‘This Farming Life’, or ‘Match of the Day’ on a Saturday night

• “Yes Chef” – try the relaxing process of bread baking (well paired with a bowl of soup come winter weather), or experiment with a new recipe. Or even just spend some time on FoodTube or FoodTok, where you can pick up tips and tricks from recommended channels like BonAppetit, Munchies and Eater

• Head to the gym – or to a local park for a Friday, post-work run to help separate work from the weekend, dust off the week’s desk-sitting cobwebs and earn a beer afterwards. Battersea Park is allegedly one of the best running spots in London

• Reading a new book – or swap books with friends. Reading during lunch in the calm of the museum of the Order of St John’s Cloister Garden is another local favourite

• Bringing games to the pub – you can’t wrong with Pass the Pigs, Guillotine or Monopoly Deal

• Build in time for reflection – for example, our office is situated 10 minutes from beautiful Postman’s Park, a memorial to self-sacrifice and noting incredible acts of bravery committed by ordinary people

• Compliment someone or make a kind gesture – you never know what kind of day someone else has been having and it will make you feel better too

• Spend time with animals – their personality and perceptive natures can be incredible resets

You can find out more about World Mental Health Day at the Mental Health Foundation.