Tips for managing your mental wellbeing

Our mental health, like our physical health varies all the time. One day we can feel down and the next we can feel happier, more positive and satisfied with life.

The NHS has provided some top tips to help improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Reframe unhelpful thoughts

The way we think, feel and behave are linked. Sometimes we develop patterns of thoughts or behaviours that are unhelpful so recognising them, and taking steps to think about things differently, can improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Be in the present

Enjoying listening to the birds and watching the wind blow through tall grasses are some of the reasons people give for enjoying working in horticulture. But it’s so easy to get caught up in the challenges of everyday life to rush about and forget these simple pleasures found all around us. Paying attention to the present moment can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

Get good sleep

Evidence shows that good quality sleep makes a big difference to how we feel both mentally and physically. Keeping good sleep hygiene and regular sleeping patterns can really help. Try to avoid screens before bed, cut back on caffeine and create a restful environment in which to sleep.

Live a healthy life

Many in our community are physically active at work, but that’s a different kind of activity to doing something for yourself, something you can enjoy away from the work environment. Try going for a walk or a run, taking out your bike, taking up dancing – whatever takes your fancy!

Connect with others

It’s easy to feel alone, especially when so many people in our industry work alone, so it’s important to connect with friends, family or people in your community. There are also many online groups. You can access online communities for different horticultural professions where you can meet other people with similar interests and challenges.

At Perennial we rely on our volunteers and supporters who enable us to deliver our support. This has built up our own community of people who all have a common love of horticulture and you would be welcome to join us.

• Join our social media communities on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram
• Join our garden communities at York Gate near Leeds, Fullers Mill near Bury St Edmunds and The Laskett in Herefordshire
• Get involved with a wide range of volunteering opportunities
• Sign up to our e-newsletters to stay in touch

Give to others

We’ve seen how acts of kindness in the community can create positive feelings and it can give you a purpose and a sense of reward. From mowing the lawn for an elderly neighbour to joining a local community group, helping others is also a way to help yourself.

Do something for yourself

Is there something you’ve always fancied having a go at? Baking a cake, building a bench, creating a website or video game, learning a musical instrument… now’s the time! There are lots of ways to learn something new and it will give you a great sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. Attending evening classes gives you the chance to meet new people, or you can look at videos or courses on-line.

Please click here to watch the accompanying videos from the NHS.

We can help you with many stressful events, such as ill health, accident, bereavement, redundancy and money worries, but we are not a specialist mental health service.

If you do find yourself in a crisis or emergency situation you will need to access specialist support – please click here for who to contact in a crisis.