Mental Health AwarenessJanuary 2018

Wellbeing Tips for 2018 Here are 3 tips to develop your mental fitness and emotional wellbeing in 2018. Simple everyday actions can help maintain and improve your mental health.

Start as you mean to go on Approach the first thing you do as a training exercise for how you want your brain to behave that day. Start by setting 3 goals for your day ahead.

Don’t wait for motivation Chasing feel-good emotions is a big component of what gets us stuck in mental health challenges. Your brain is going to tell you that you don’t feel like going out with people and that you don’t feel ready to do important things you’ve been putting off. Don’t listen to your brain! Positive feelings, like motivation, come after you do things you enjoy, not before.

Talk about where you’re going Talk to someone you trust about what mindfulness means to you and the self-development skills you want to learn. You may be surprised about who’s out there to help you.

New Years ResolutionsReally do WorkWhile there is often a collective eye-roll when people mention New Year’s resolutions, it really can be a fresh start and an opportunity to create real change, if you choose to let it! Now imagine it’s December 2018, a whole year from now, and you’re looking back on what a successful year looked like. Who was in it, what did you do, how did you feel? Put as much detail into this image as possible.

Now think of the top 3 things that will get you moving in that direction. Only 3! Tell a close friend what those 3 things are so that you are more likely to stick to it and make this year yours!

Petra Velzeboer – Editor

What’s Going on This Month

Dry January is Alcohol Concern’s flagship campaign which has been changing the conversation about alcohol. Taking part in this campaign is a chance to ditch the hangover, reduce the waistline and save some serious ££ by giving up alcohol for 31 days.

22 - 28th January

Cervical Cancer Prevention WeekThe theme for 2018 is ‘Reduce your Risk’. Cervical Cancer can be prevented. With your help we can ensure every woman knows how they can reduce their risk of disease & the steps they can take to look after their health jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week-2018

Resolution IdeasMeditation works! There are scientific studies to show the many benefits of meditation. Find a free app and do just 3 minutes a day of guided meditation to get you started.

Learn something new Investigate evening classes. Learn drawing, dancing or a new language! Or check out the 20 best TED talks to get you started.

Prioritise hobbiesYou know that thing you loved but stopped doing because you were too busy. Rediscover the joy by starting up again!

Move MoreBuild movement into your daily activities. Walking to meetings and at lunchtime will make a difference to your mind and mood.

15th January

Blue MondayThe 3rd Monday of January has been awarded the gloomy title due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights and the arrival of unpaid credit card bills. Remember your mindfulness skills and...

Say No to Blue Monday!

Wellbeing Solutions Management (WSM), is Medigold’s psychological services partner. WSM provides: Employee assistance programmes, critical incident support, mediation, and HR-led counselling referrals. wsm-wellbeing.co.uk

Mental Health Awareness

Medigold Health is a leading supplier of corporate wellness and occupational health solutions, offering a comprehensive services portfolio, keeping people in work, safe and well. medigold-health.com

Mental Health and Wellbeing ServicesMedigold Health delivers a comprehensive range of mental health and wellbeing services to support both individuals and their employers.

Our wellbeing services include:

24/7 Counselling & advice helplines (EAPs)

Managed counselling for return-to-work

Critical incident and post-trauma support

Psychological assessment and clinical reports

Stress management and resilliance training Medigold combines mental health services with a full package of occupational health, absence management and wellbeing solutions for employers. We keep people in work, safe and well.

Relationships in 2018With all the navel-gazing that goes on during Christmas and New Year, it’s no surprise that January 3rd is nicknamed ‘Divorce Day’ by witty solicitors who see a spike in business from couples who finally crack.

The majority of “January dumpings” have been brewing since way back in November. But then plans got made, presents were purchased, plane and train tickets were booked, families were obliged and before we knew it, and because no one wants to be alone at Christmas, we were pulling crackers with someone we were sick to the back teeth of.

How then can you make sure your relationship survives the January hump? A good place to start is by looking at why we make and break New Year’s resolutions. Relationships are like fitness - it doesn’t get better without you putting in tons of effort and getting out of your comfort zone. But faced with the prospect of hard work for long-term gains, most of us prefer to set ourselves impossible targets and feel frustrated when life falls short.

So the first step is not making the flaws into such a big deal. Your relationship’s intensity will peak and wane; that’s life. Lower your expectations of your partner a little, they need not be your only source of validation, solace and social entertainment and this can reduce the amount of emotional responsibility you put on them.

The 5:2 Digital Diet

Try 5 days using digital and 2 days off-screen and see the improvement to your mental health:

Get an alarm clock so you don’t need your phone in your room.

Try an old-school camera instead of your phone.

Delete your social media and email apps the night before your detox – to ensure you stick with it.

Find a buddy who will try the plan and discuss your results.

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