6 Ways To Support Your Mental Health

A simple one but something that most of us don't do correctly or think about enough, despite it happening 12-15 times a minute for the average person while at rest. Paying more attention to how you are breathing can have a big impact on your stress levels. Try breathing deeply for just 5 or 10 minutes a day, with a focus on breathing from your stomach, pushing your stomach out each time you inhale. Take longer breaths, counting to at least three for each inhalation and exhalation. Keep doing this even though it may feel uncomfortable at first. After a while, you will start to notice your body feeling more relaxed.

Not a phone or a series on Netflix but your own thoughts. This may come as a surprise to some but you are NOT your thoughts - they come and go like waves and once you learn to observe them appearing and disappearing you'll become much better at letting the negative ones fade away into nothingness. It takes a bit of practice but gets easier the more you see these fleeting, intangible utterances of the mind for what they are.

The saying goes that 'a problem shared, is a problem halved' and although this is unlikely to be statistically correct there is a proven correlation between vocalising concerns and our ability to process and resolve stressful feelings.

When you are experiencing intense feelings of fear, aggression or anxiety the part of your brain called the amygdala is running the show - it is responsible for the fight or flight response and figuring out whether something is a threat or not.

During stressful situations the amygdala can take control and even overide more logical thought processes. Putting your feelings into words, or 'affect labelling' as it is known, diminishes the response of this part of your brain when you encounter things that are upsetting or threatening.

Always a good idea to take the time to talk... and to listen sometimes too.

Good quality sleep is one of the most important contributing factors in human wellbeing and there are countless ways to improve your sleep. Exercise, diet and the reduction of caffeine intake are keys areas to consider...

Surprisingly, one of the most effective ways to ensure a good night's sleep is to reduce alcohol consumption. Despite the commonly held belief that booze helps you relax and fall asleep faster it actually has a negative effect on your deep sleep, which is the most important recovery and rejuvenation phase.

A nightcap might seem like a good idea at the time but is actually likely to see you experience disrupted sleep and most likely be awake in the wee hours for a bathroom visit. A Goodrays before bed is a much better option we think!

The relaxing properties of CBD produce a calming effect, easing anxiety, helping with focus, productivity and sleep. As part of a daily routine, CBD reduces blood pressure, relaxes muscles and puts the spring back into your step.

At Goodrays, they offer a range of products aimed at delivering the correct dose to lighten up your days. With gummies, daily CBD drops and our flagship sparkling drinks, you can live safe in the knowledge that your CBD has come from reputable, sustainable and certified sources.

Despite the seeming ubiquity of yoga poses on Insta and comfortable lycra legging brands most of us still don't stretch on a regular basis. Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong and healthy and allows you to take time to breath, notice your surroundings, pay attention to yourself and decompress.

When we breath deeply our heart rate slows and we become calmer (see point 1). You don't need to be an uber-bendy yogi to get the benefits (sitting down in an armchair actually involves a pretty good stretch) so just moving slowly, with purpose, is a great start. Reach down to the ground, bending from the waist, then slowly reach up as far as you can. Repeat. Once you've nailed this routine the sky's the limit - you'll be picking postage stamps off the floor with your tongue in no time.