Rehab 4 Addiction

It is essential to everyday life in Liverpool that your mental health and overall well-being are taken care of and prioritised.

Whether you’re working long hours, logging in remotely, or doing the 9-5 at the office, there are plenty of ways to support your mental health here in Liverpool.

From scheduling a daily walk to connecting with friends or a local support group, this article will suggest ways to improve your mental health this summer in Liverpool.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health in Liverpool

Mental health is known as a state of mental well-being which means you are able to cope with the stresses that everyday life brings, work productively, and have meaningful relationships. [1]

It is essential for your development and affects how you think, feel and act.

Your mental health depends on a number of factors, including physical health, how many hours of sleep you get, your diet and significant life events.

Poor mental health, mental health difficulties or mental health issues can occur for different reasons, such as a lack of routine, not having a work-life balance, overusing social media or eating poorly. You may also experience poor mental health as a result of a drug addiction, including a cannabis addiction or cocaine addiction or alcohol addiction.

Top Tips for Improving Your Mental Health in Liverpool

Below are some suggestions for improving your mental health and overall well-being in and around Liverpool.

Connect with friends and family

Friends connecting in Liverpool

One of the best ways to boost your mood is by spending time with loved ones, friends or family. [2]

It’s great for reminding ourselves that we are valued and also share common issues, relieving our minds from our own situations. It can make you feel heard and is perfect for increasing serotonin levels by laughing or sharing stories with someone close to you.

Activities you may want to do to connect with friends and family include:

  • Arranging a coffee
  • Going for a meal
  • Having a call if you do not feel up to going out
  • Arranging a picnic
  • Hiking in the Peak District

Liverpool is a fantastic city with lots always going on and a great community spirit. You may want to try to meet new friends in the city by joining a sports club or activity with people you share the same interests with.

Exercise daily

Football and mental health

Even if just for 10 minutes, exercising and being active daily is known to greatly improve your mood and mental health.

It acts as an immediate stress reliever, releasing mood-boosting hormones, increases your overall energy and is a good way to clear your head. [3]

To incorporate exercise into your every day, you can:

  • Walk to your nearest park or greenspace in Liverpool
  • Opt for the stairs instead of the lift or esculators
  • Take the bus part-way and then walk the rest
  • Take your dog (if you have one!) for regular walks during the day
  • Get some housework done
  • Invest in a bicycle and explore the city

Learn something new

It’s known and proven that learning a new skill or activity can boost your confidence and self-esteem and generally make you feel good. [4]

A new skill could include learning a new language, cooking or baking, DIY around the house, improving IT skills, or taking a first aid course.

You could even try learning a new skill with others in your local area. For example, cafes or libraries can have language conversation groups or evening classes. This can help you to connect with others and even make new friends.

Try volunteering

Helping other people can be incredibly rewarding. It gives you a sense of purpose and makes you feel good about yourself.

You could try volunteering at a local charity shop such as Claire House Children’s Hospice Great Homer Street Charity Shop or as a Retail Volunteer at Barnardos (Liverpool, Allerton Road).

If you do not feel up to formally volunteering, there is also the option of simply helping or doing something nice for a neighbour or family member.

Keep a diary

Person writing in a diary in Liverpool

Spending just 5-10 minutes each day writing an entry in your diary can help to evaluate your thoughts and boost your productivity. It can help you to plan your days and feel less overwhelmed.

Journalling helps to manage your stress and anxiety and helps you to control your emotions with more clarity. [5]

Try writing a diary entry for a few minutes when you wake up with a cup of tea or coffee, and again before you go to bed.

Eat better

Making healthier choices by eating well is a crucial aspect of improving your mental health. Eating well directly affects your mental health, by providing you with the important nutrients your mind needs to function properly.

It is proven that having a healthy diet reduces stress, anxiety and depression, leading to improved overall wellbeing and better mental health. [6]

Support Groups in Liverpool

Support group in Liverpool

If you are struggling with your mental health in Liverpool, there are support groups and therapy options for you to access for free.

Below are support groups you can access for your mental health and addiction and how to contact them:

Talking Therapies Liverpool

Telephone: 0151 228 2300

Website: https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/our-services/liverpool/talking-therapies

Samaritans, Liverpool & Merseyside

Telephone: 116 123 free from any phone or 0330 094 5717 (local call charges apply)

Website: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/liverpool/

Address: 25 Clarence St, Liverpool L3 5TN

Liverpool Arabic Centre

Telephone: (+44) 0151 727 2855

Website: https://liverpoolarabiccentre.org.uk/

Alcoholics Anonymous, Liverpool

Liverpool City Intergroup

Telephone: +44 (0) 800 917 7650

Website: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/intergroups/liverpool-city-intergroup/

Narcotics Anonymous, Liverpool

Telephone: 0300 999 1212

Website: https://meetings.ukna.org/meeting/search?postcode%5Bvalue%5D=10&postcode%5Bsource_configuration%5D%5Borigin_address%5D=liverpool&day=All&time=All&county=All&name=&open=All&language=All&wc=All

If you need urgent help with your mental health, you can call 111 for 111.nhs.uk and ask for mental health help. A mental health professional will be able to help assess what you need.

For urgent mental health support, alongside serious physical injuries, A&E is the best place to attend so that your injuries can be addressed.

Calling 999 should only be used for immediate, life-threatening assistance.

Here at Rehab 4 Addiction, we can discuss mental health services and addiction rehab or support with you in Liverpool.

Call Rehab 4 Addiction today at 0800 140 4690 for further advice.

References

[1] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/about-mental-health

[2] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/friendship-and-mental-health#:~:text=Friendship%20is%20a%20crucial%20element,accepted%20me%20as%20I%20was.%E2%80%9D

[3] https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/physical-activity-exercise-and-mental-health/how-are-physical-activity-and-mental-health-connected/

[4] https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/improve-mental-wellbeing-by-learning-new-things/

[5] https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4552

[6] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/diet-and-mental-health

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.