World Mental Health Day takes place annually on October 10th – a mere three short days away – so there’s no time quite like the present to check in with yourself, friends and family to make sure that everyone is faring well and to consider avenues of additional support if necessary.
This year’s theme has been set as ‘access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies’, with a focus on global instability… but catastrophes and emergencies can also happen closer to home, leading to feelings of overwhelm if you’re not careful.
To help you manage these emotions and become more resilient, here are some top tips from the Concept Care team in time for World Mental Health Day 2025.
Try grounding exercises
Grounding techniques can help you anchor yourself in the present moment, reducing feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. The aim is to engage your five senses and focus on tangible objects and sensations.
Exercises include everything from submerging your hands in hot or cold water (concentrating on the temperature and how it feels), picking up or touching items nearby, breathing deeply, savouring food and drink, going for a short walk, moving your body and listening to your surroundings, letting the sounds wash over you.
Connect with others
If you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that you don’t have to go it alone. Social connections are essential for our mental health in general, but they can be particularly important when you’re struggling with something in particular.
Spend time with friends, family and loved ones – and remember that a problem shared is a problem halved.
Use the Circle of Control
The concept of the Circle of Control involves accepting the idea that there are some aspects of life that are entirely outside of our control.
It might sound simple but in practice it can be very tricky to accomplish… yet doing so can help you to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, giving you space to focus on what aspects of life you are actually able to change.
Understanding that you’re unable to control the world around you but that you can control how you react to it can make a significant impact on your overall resilience.
Allow yourself to rest
One of the best steps you can take to protect your mental health is to give yourself as much time as possible to rest and recuperate.
If you’ve been spending a lot of time caring for someone in your life, you run the risk of burnout if you don’t prioritise yourself and your own health, mental, emotional and physical alike.
But, of course, this can be very difficult to accomplish and you may be reluctant to relinquish your caregiving responsibilities amid fears that your loved one won’t receive the same standard of care that you provide.
This is where a respite care service really comes into its own, allowing you to take full advantage of professional caregiving provision while taking a much-needed break. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with the Concept Care team today.
