10th October is World Mental Health Day, recognised by the Word Health Organisation (WHO). This year's theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health was 'Mental Health is an Unequal World'. Mental wellbeing is important, especially after the stressful two years we've had, but it shouldn’t be something that we neglect until we are struggling, and feeling low, anxious or stressed. Much like our physical health, it should be something that we invest in; having good mental health now is good but it also helps us manage difficult times in the future. In fact, over time it can also reduce the risk of developing physical health problems!

There are many things we can do to look after our mental health, and you can start with these top 4 tips!

1. Remember to connect with other people.
We are social creatures that thrive off of being with other people. There have been many studies that show loneliness negatively affecting job performance. That's why some tasks may feel herculean for you to complete from home, compared to when you work in the office with everyone else. It wasn’t unusual to be able to work a full shift in the office, go grab drinks with friends after work, and still manage to fit a work-out routine in the week. Or maybe you crave to have those things again because you miss having social interactions. This is why it is so important for you to keep in touch with friends and/or family. It helps to:

• Form good relationships can help you build a sense of belonging and self-worth.
• Give opportunities for everyone to share positive experiences.
• Provide everyone with emotional support.

Don't rely on technology and social media to do this as it is very easy to get into the habit of messaging people instead of seeing them in person. Having physical contact is also an effective way to alleviate stress, depression and anxiety. 

2. Get active! Start exercising again.
Exercising regularly is not only great for your physical health and fitness but is also great for your mental wellbeing. Having a healthier lifestyle can help you better manage your stress response, which allows you to avoid or even reverse negative effects of chronic stress. Getting into shape can help to:

• Raise low self-esteem.
• Give you a goal to work towards.
• Cause chemical reactions in your brain to positively change your mood.

If diving straight into exercising sounds a little daunting, we recommend trying out yoga. Either sign up to a beginner-friendly class or look up quick yoga videos on YouTube to start off. Remember, easing into an exercise routine is essential in allowing your body to adapt to the stresses put on your body. It also encourages you to build a habit of exercising, which will prevent you from giving up after that initial burst of motivation. If your muscles get sore after a workout, we suggest soothing them with a massage, or a  recovery bath salt brimming with minerals and nutrients.

3. Get good sleep.
Do not underestimate the power of a good night’s rest. It can make such a huge difference to our mood, productivity, and concentration if we get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. 

Try going to sleep at around the same time every evening, as this will help to regulate your body clock and make falling asleep easier. Using a blue light filter on your phone screen, or forgo using devices altogether, will help you to fall asleep faster. Instead, try reading a book, or listening to calming music if you find yourself lying awake in bed. 

A study shows that taking a warm shower or bath 90 minutes before you go to bed may also help you to fall asleep faster. This is because the warm water helps to cool down your body’s core temperature, which signals to the body that it is time for bed. Adding products from our sleep collection to your bathing ritual may also help to relax your mind and promote restorative sleep. 

4. Pay attention to yourself.
Some self-love can go a long way. In this day and age, people usually stick to a wash, rinse, and repeat sort of schedule - there is no break from the monotony. Picking up a hobby again or focusing on doing things you genuinely like are effective ways of reclaiming your time.

If you want to step out of your comfort zone, you can try to discover new things to do, like learning how to crochet, or going on a city break to a place you’ve never been before. 

Another super easy way to work some self-love into your schedule is to have a dedicated slot for your “me-time” every day. Use this time to pamper yourself - get a spa treatment, practise meditation, or maybe even try on your favourite makeup look and outfit. This directs your attention away from your daily stressors and allows you to focus on what makes you happy. We have a collection of bath salts and oils formulated to help relieve stress and anxiety.