Rehab 4 Addiction

Your mental health and wellbeing is crucial to your everyday life in Liverpool.

It can affect how you go about your day and how productive you are. It can also impact your relationships.

If you are struggling with poor mental health, there are plenty of ways to improve your mental health in Liverpool.

This article will suggest how you might want to support your mental health to live a happier, more productive life.

What Do We Mean When We Talk about Mental Health?

Man receiving therapy for a mental health issue in Edinburgh

Mental health means the general wellness of your thoughts and feelings. It controls the way you manage how you feel and generally guides how you act. [1]

Your mental well-being is guided by different factors, which include how well you eat, your habits, how many hours of sleep you get each night, the type of job you have and life events.

You may struggle with your mental health if you do not maintain regular routines, eat healthily or stick to a work-life balance. Having a drug or alcohol addiction can also negatively impact your mental health.

How Can I Improve My Mental Health in Edinburgh?

Improving mental health in Edinburgh

There are many ways to improve your mental wellbeing in Edinburgh if you find it difficult to maintain a healthy mindset.

Below are a few tips for overall better mental well-being.

Spend more time with friends and family

Spending time with your loved ones regularly is a great way to improve your mental health and general outlook.

Even just going for a coffee with a friend during your lunch break, or getting a walk in with a family member after work can boost your mood and help to increase your serotonin levels.

Try to exercise every day

People running in Edinburgh

We’ve all heard that getting our daily steps in and regular exercise each day is good for our health, improving our sleep and mental health. [2]

But this doesn’t just have to be in the form of walking.

Why not try something new or alternate between different styles of exercise to keep it fun and enjoyable? This could include:

  • cycling
  • swimming
  • running
  • gym sessions
  • yoga or palates

Teach yourself something new

Learning a new skill is a fantastic way to boost your self-esteem and a good way to spend time outside of work.

Skills you could learn include:

  • first aid
  • baking or cooking
  • IT
  • DIY
  • a new language

You can also try to find opportunities in Edinburgh, such as learning cafes or libraries. This is a good way to meet new people in your local area.

Help others out

By helping others you can get a great feeling of purpose. You could do this through volunteering opportunities, or just helping out a friend or neighbour with small tasks like their shopping.

Start journalling

Woman journaling in Edinburgh

Keeping a diary is the perfect way to think through your thoughts and manage your emotions and struggles more constructively.

It doesn’t have to take up much time, even just 5 or 10 minutes first thing in the morning or just before bed can have a large impact on your productivity and overall mindset.

Eat well

Eating healthy for mental health in Edinburgh

Improving your diet has a positive effect on both your physical and mental health. Not only does eating healthy make sure your body has enough nutrients, but it is also proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. [3]

Start by eating at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day, and ensure your diet is as diverse as possible.

How Do I Join a Support Group in Edinburgh?

There are a range of services in Edinburgh to help you if you’re struggling with any mental health difficulties. Wellbeing services can improve your emotional wellbeing and give you a chance to get support about a range of issues.

Below are contact details of groups who can offer you practical advice and help in Edinburgh.

Anxiety and Depression Support Groups, Health in Mind

Telephone: 0131 225 8508

Website: https://health-in-mind.org.uk/news/edinburgh-depression-and-anxiety-support-groups/

Address: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL

The Stafford Centre

Telephone: 0808 8010 515

Website: https://changemh.org/support_areas/edinburgh/

Address: The Stafford Centre, 103 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3RZ

SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) Information Service

Telephone: 0344 800 0550

Website: https://www.samh.org.uk/find-help

You can also find a wide range of self-help information and self-help resources on the iThrive Edinburgh webpage or via the NHS.

For urgent support with your mental health, you can speak to a mental health professional by calling NHS Scotland 111.

If you also need help with a drug or alcohol addiction in Edinburgh, there are groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Al-Anon Family Groups that you can access for free.

For further support for addiction including alcohol addiction, cannabis addiction, cocaine addiction, opioid addiction and prescription drug addiction, and how addiction affects mental health, get in touch with Rehab 4 Addiction.

Call us at 0800 140 4690 for advice on addiction and mental health, as well as rehab and general advice.

References

[1] https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_1

[2] https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/keeping-active/physical-activity-guidelines/

[3] https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/food-and-nutrition/

boris

Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field.  His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.