Mental health—good or bad—affects every aspect of our lives. It’s easy to think mental health only matters if you have a diagnosed issue, but the truth is that our mental well-being is just as important as our physical health. When our mental health is good, we are better able to deal with the ups and downs of life, make the most of each day, and overcome obstacles. It may seem like we just need to keep going even though we’re dealing with stress, worry, and sadness, but for many of us, these feelings are everyday realities.
So, the question is, are we simply surviving, or are we truly thriving?
Mental health in the UK
In 2017, the Mental Health Foundation set out to find answers to that question by commissioning a major survey across England, Scotland, and Wales. The aim was to get a sense of how people truly felt—experiencing both the good and the tough moments of mental health. A survey done by NatCen gathered answers from more than 2,000 people through online and phone interviews. The findings show a worrying situation regarding mental health in the UK.
A nation struggling with mental health
The results were eye-opening. Only a tiny fraction of people—just 13%—said they feel mentally well most of the time. Most people are dealing with different levels of mental health struggles. It’s concerning that young adults and women are facing more challenges, like depression and anxiety, than men or older people.
People aged 55 and up shared that they felt a bit better mentally and took more steps to manage stress. Some common ways people cope are by spending time with family and friends, getting adequate sleep, staying active, and having fun with hobbies. But a lot of younger people say they’re feeling more down and experiencing panic attacks. Today’s stressors like job uncertainty, housing worries, and social media pressures might be the contributing to this..
One important takeaway from the survey was the clear connection between mental health and a person’s financial situation. Almost 75% of people in the lowest income group said they have a hard time with mental health, while about 60% of those with higher incomes feel the same way. Unemployment turned out to be a big factor, with 85% of people without jobs facing mental health challenges. This shows how important it is to have a stable economy for keeping our mental health in check.
Thriving, not just surviving
These concerning numbers should remind us that we can work on improving our mental health. How can we move from just getting by with life’s stresses to really thriving?
Here are ten practical steps we can all take to boost our mental health and thrive:
1. Talk about how you feel
It might be difficult to discuss your feelings, but doing so might improve your mental health. The emotional burden can be significantly reduced by consulting an expert, trusted friend, or family member. It’s unfortunate that many of us bottle up our emotions for fear of others taking advantage of us or looking weak.
2. Stay active
Exercise is known for helping our bodies, but it’s also a great way to lift our spirits. Anyone can benefit from the mental boost that comes with being active; no athletic skills required! Taking a quick walk, dancing around, or doing some yoga can really help ease anxiety and lift your spirits.
3. Eat a balanced diet
Good nutrition is a cornerstone of mental health. Your brain needs a range of nutrients to function well. Focus on whole foods—fruits, vegetables, grains, and healthy fats—while limiting caffeine, sugar, and processed snacks. It’s amazing how much better we feel when we feed our bodies the right fuel.
4. Drink in moderation
It’s common to turn to alcohol when we feel anxious or agitated. But this habit can backfire in the long run. It’s important to get a balance. Most importantly, try not to drink alcohol while you’re feeling depressed and always stick to the suggested limits.
5. Maintain relationships
Connecting with others is really important for feeling positive mentally. Even with everything going on, make sure to enjoy time with the people you care about. Having healthy, supportive relationships is really important for our mental health because feeling lonely can be tough on us. It’s totally fine to take a step back from people who bring you down.
6. Don’t be scared to ask for help
The weight of life can sometimes feel too much to bear, and that’s okay. Talk to someone. This could be a family member, a friend, your healthcare provider, therapist, or crisis hotline. The sooner you ask for help, the better.
7. Take regular breaks
Taking a break is important for your mental wellbeing. Take a quick 5-minute break at work, enjoy a stroll outside, or plan a weekend trip away. They can all help you recharge. Pay attention to your body and rest when you need to.
8. Have fun!
Hobbies are enjoyable and great for your mental well-being! When you do what you love, it feels great, gives you a sense of achievement, and helps you relax. Engage in activities you love, whether it’s painting, gardening, or playing an instrument.
9. Be Kind to yourself
We all have our flaws and things we want to work on, but being harsh on ourselves only makes things more stressful. Focus on what you do well, celebrate the small wins, and remember to treat yourself with kindness. Being true to yourself and setting realistic goals can really help improve your mental health.
10. Help others.
Helping others is a great way to boost your own mental well-being. Volunteering, offering support to friends or family, or even small acts of kindness can make you feel more connected and valued.
Final Thoughts
Mental health is really important for feeling content and fulfilled. It’s totally possible to feel better, no matter how stressed you are or what mental health challenges you’re facing. It’s really important for everyone to come together and make a place where everyone can thrive. With the right support, understanding, and effort, we can build a future where thriving is the standard, not just getting by.
Bridge Support
At Bridge Support, we work in partnership with a varied network of professionals, including clinical, non-clinical, and voluntary sector agencies. These include community groups, GPs, health professionals, primary care, community mental health teams, and local authority housing teams, to name a few.
We are committed to providing compassionate and effective support to help people in our community. We believe everyone deserves access to the resources they need to thrive.
If you’d like to discuss this or any other service we offer, contact us here.
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