Helpful ideas for coping and self-care
Check out our range of self-help videos here, including some featuring people who get support from us and some from our staff. There's plenty of advice to help you cope.
There are also links to some useful booklets
You may also like these videos and booklets
Arts and creative therapies
Arts and creative therapies are treatments which involve using arts-based activities in a therapeutic environment, with the support of a trained professional. You don't need to have done these activities before or have any particular skills or knowledge.
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2883/arts-and-creative-therapies-2018.pdf
Carers, friends and family - coping and support
Supporting someone else is sometimes called caring. You are a carer if you provide (unpaid) support and care for someone who has an illness, disability, mental health problem or addiction. People often assume that carers tend to be women but research shows that around four in 10 carers are men.
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2903/supporting-someone-else-2017.pdf
Food and mood
Knowing what foods we should and shouldn’t be eating can be really confusing, especially when it feels like the advice changes regularly. However, evidence suggests that as well as affecting our physical health, what we eat may also affect the way we feel.
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2929/food-and-mood-2017.pdf
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique you can learn which involves making a special effort to notice what's happening in the present moment (in your mind, body and surroundings) without judging anything. It has roots in Buddhism and meditation, but you don't have to be spiritual or have any particular beliefs, to try it.
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2891/mindfulness-2018.pdf
Money and mental health
Money and mental health are often linked. Poor mental health can make managing money harder and worrying about money can make your mental health worse.
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2930/money-mental-health-2016.pdf
Nature and mental health
Spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical well-being. For example, doing things like growing food or flowers, exercising outdoors or being around animals can have many positive effects.
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2931/nature-and-mental-health-2018.pdf
Relaxation
Exploring relaxation can help you look after yourself when you're feeling stressed or worried. Have a look at these tips and ideas to see how relaxation can fit into your daily life. Don't worry if some ideas don't work for you – just enjoy the ones that do.
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2926/relaxation-2017.pdf
Student life
Studying is likely to bring a number of changes to your life. It can be enjoyable and interesting, but it can also be challenging. Coping with new challenges can have an impact on your mental health but there are lots of things that you can do to make your time as a student easier and more enjoyable.
