Badminton can be a great remedy to feeling low. It can take your mind off worries, give you an opportunity to socialise and boost your confidence.

Mental health and wellbeing is a sliding scale and everyone will move up and down the scale on a daily basis. Below you can explore our advice on how to take care of your mental health, the mental health of others, and what support’s available.

It can be normal to experience a range of both positive and negative emotions in response to life’s experiences and challenges. Good mental health is when you’re able to think, feel and react in ways that enable you to live a happy life the way you want to. If you go through a period of poor mental health you might find that the ways you’re thinking, feeling or reacting become difficult to cope with.

Mental health and wellbeing is a sliding scale and everyone will move up and down the scale on a daily basis. There are many different types of mental health illnesses, some of which, like anxiety & low mood, are very common.

Research suggests the following steps can promote positive emotional well-being. Why not give them a try?

Connect

With the people around you such as family, friends, colleagues, or neighbours. At home or in your local community. Talk and listen. Be there for others. Building these connections and social relationships will promote wellbeing.

Be active

Regular movement and exercise makes us feel good. Play tennis. Go for a walk or jog. Step outside or cycle if possible. Play a game that gets you moving. Go to a park, walk the dog or do the garden. Maybe dance. Most importantly, try a physical activity that you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take notice

Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Park in a different parking bay or visit a different lunch spot. Notice the sights around you and be aware of the world around you, the sounds, smells and textures. Maybe try out a mindfulness exercise.

Keep learning

Why not try something new or rediscover that old hobby? Perhaps sign up for that new course or learn to play an instrument, fix a bike, or cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you’ll enjoy achieving. Learning new things gives us a sense of achievement as well as being fun.

Give

Helping others can give joy and happiness. Give your time, your words, and your presence. Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer. Join an online group. Look out, as well as in.