Well hello to you my reader chums! Talking about mental health is something I'm hugely passionate about and something that deserves constant recognition. Since the pandemic, I think many of us have realised how important it was to take care of our mental health and put ourselves first if we're not feeling okay. It's a conversation I've been fighting for years to have and it's good to see progress being made, with many of us finally opening up and talking.

However, I think one thing which always needs to be spoken about more is the difference between mental health and mental illness. We all have mental health and some people have mental illness and in this post, I'm going to share what the differences are.

What is mental health?

By definition, mental health is the psychological and emotional well-being of someone. Mental health is the care of your own mind and emotions and is to do with how you think and how you feel. We all have mental health as we all have feelings. Mental health varies in people from being good and bad, and this can be down to circumstance or generally, how we are all different people and nobody's brain is the same.

What is mental illness?

Mental illness is a health condition that involves changes in thinking emotion or behaviour. They can vary across a whole spectrum of different illnesses from anxiety, depression to bipolar, eating disorders, and more. As mental illnesses are an illness, they need a different type of care and attention than our mental health does. Every mental illness has a different treatment, it's not a one size fits all situation and this is where mental health can be similar too.

How can I speak about each one as separate things?

The two are completely different in what they are so when you speak about them, the differentiation should be apparent. Mental health should be referred to when you're talking about your wellbeing as a whole, how you're feeling, and whether it's good to bad. Whilst mental illness refers to an actual condition such as anxiety. This means if you're speaking about anxiety or depression, for instance, use the phrase mental illness rather than mental health. And, the similar thing applies when talking about your feelings. Talk about it as mental health unless it's a diagnosable condition.

Why it is important to know the difference between the two

The importance is the reason I'm writing this post, to bring awareness of the difference between the two and why we need to treat them as completely different topics. 

It's important for many reasons. The first is, that those who live with a mental illness, often feel unseen or unheard when you speak about their condition in the 'mental health' context as they're not receiving the care, support, or understanding they require, as it's more than just human emotions. It's important because once we learn to differentiate the two, we can understand that we all deserve the care and attention for our mental health because even if it's not an illness, it's part of being human. It's normal and natural to feel a variety of emotions and all parts of your emotional wellbeing. Also, it's essential to build our understanding and knowledge of mental health and the type of mental illnesses out there. This education can not only help yourself and your wellbeing but the people around you - as well as break the stigma around mental health and illness.

It's important now more than ever to seek the help you need and open up about your mental health and mental illness as it makes others not feel so alone in their own head, the way we all feel at some point. Starting conversations can really change lives and the time is now to do so.

How to get help 

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Mental health is a topic I like to speak about a lot and in recent years is finally getting the recognition it needs to have, and why it's so important to look after yours.

Mental health and mental illness are completely different. We all have mental health but not all of us have mental illness and sometimes, the two can get confused. Caring for your mental health should be as high a priority as you do your physical health and if you suffer from a mental health condition on top of that, the level of care should increase, the same way if you had a physical problem. I've suffered from anxiety for years and I've learnt how to take the right steps and care to look after myself in the way I should.

Whether you're looking for some tips on how to care for your mental health or don't know where to begin, here is how to take care of your mental health and why it's so important.

How to take care of your mental health

Take mental health days

I'm guilty of not doing this and the effect is then detrimental to my mental health. Mental health days are just as important as physical days - and that means when you're not feeling 100% mentally, you need to take care of yourself the way if it was a physical problem. This could be taking the day off work, having a lie-in or simply postponing your to-do list for the day and having a rest.

It's necessary to give your body and mind the chance to recharge if you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or down. You can't do your best work when you're not feeling right and that's why it's incredibly important to take days out. I've only done this recently, and honestly, it made the world of difference to my overall mental health - and made me realise, these days are okay to take. It needs to be normalised more to have mental health days.

Live intuitively in terms of what your body wants

This is something I've learnt to do after the past year as I pressed fast forward on my self-love and healing journey, to grow into a better me. I'm constantly learning but something I've found to really help and care for my mental health is living intuitively. 

Living intuitively can mean a variety of things but my best way of describing it is doing what your body in mind wants - live through your feelings. If you're feeling motivated, use that energy in a good way through work or exercise and if you're tired or hungry, take a nap and nourish your body. It's about listening to your mind and rolling with it - and I can assure you, your body gives out more signals than you realise on how you really are. I know now if my stomach flares up, it's because I feel really anxious or if I'm getting an earache that I've been overdoing it - it's my body's way of telling me I need to stop.

Do what makes you happy

One of my favourite points and something I preach regularly, doing what makes you happy is a key to a better life and caring for your mental health. You need to follow your passions, live your days for you and create a positive environment for you as that way, your mental health is likely to remain in a calmer and happier state.

Set boundaries and learn to say no

Setting boundaries and learning to say no is something we should learn growing up and really needs to be normalised more. Learning to say no and setting boundaries doesn't make you a bad person, instead, it's teaching you to respect yourself more to make you feel accepted and happy in every situation.

This could be saying no to a social event, telling someone they're overstepping the mark when diving into your personal life or simply not wanting to talk to someone. It's your life and your choices, having boundaries in place will help you shape a happier environment for you to be in and flourish - and those who respect that are the right people for you.

Cut out toxic energy

This leads me to toxic energy and toxic people. I've spoken about this loads in previous blog posts but knowing that people are the right people for you will have the right effect on your mental health. Learning who to trust and realising who will support and encourage you is a hard but essential life lesson to learn.

Not everyone in your life will be kind and supportive to you, that's unfortunately how it is. However, there will be exceptionally wonderful people who will boost you up and love you for you and your decisions - and those are the people you need. Anyone who surrounds you with negative and toxic energy needs to be sliced out of your life in a bid to care for your mental health.

Know when enough is enough

This can mean a lot of things such as working, socialising, pulling yourself in different directions, and not really focusing on what you really want. It's important to know when something is causing you to feel unhappy, unwell, or unmotivated that it's time to quit and move onto something else. Whether it's a job that you need to leave or a relationship, quitting isn't a bad thing if it'll benefit your mental health.

Get out and about

The fresh air really is a blessing and it may sound really obvious, but going for a walk or getting out and about can do wonders for your mental health. It gets your body moving and being away from screens or your home gives you a new environment to focus on. I've learn to adore beach walks even more over the last year and they've made me feel a lot more grateful and boosted my mental health on days when I needed it.

Eat well

Eating well means different things for everyone but what I mean by this is eat well for your body and what you need. Dieting and being restrictive are bad for your mental health and can lead to disordered eating or eating disorders. It's important to listen to what your body wants, eat in moderation, and indulge when you fancy it - food is for enjoying and shouldn't be viewed as the enemy. Food is the fuel to keep us all going.

Nourish your body

Eating well is one way to nourish your body but other things such as hydration, exercising, meditation, and skincare are all other things that can help nourish your body. Your body takes care of you and you need to take care of your body and all of these different things can do just that. By practicing nourishing your body will have a positive effect on your mental health - and it's more simple than you may think.

Enrich your mind

Our minds are wonderful and complex things and require top-notch care. My final tip on looking after your mental health is to enrich your mind. This can be through books, podcasts, documentaries, and mindfulness. There is so much information out there these days and it can be hard to know what to research and read. However, to look after your mental health, it's important to digest the right information in order to grow and what will have a positive impact on your mental health.

Swap up your social media feed to be filled with those who are real and inspiring, practice affirmations and mindfulness before bed, talk to yourself like your best friend, be the love of your own life, and read as much as you can to grow your knowledge. The world is an amazing place and there is always something to learn. 

Why it's so important to look after your mental health

Your mental health should be your top priority in life, and even though it's taken me years to understand and digest this, I'm so glad I've come to the realisation. Your mind has so much power over everything you do and if you're not looking after it, it can take a negative effect on your overall happiness in everyday life.

It's important to look after your mental health because your mind is a powerful thing and you want to create a safe and loving space within yourself so you're able to spread that love and happiness into the world - and live a life that's best for you. You deserve every happiness.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Mental health should be a priority for every single person as we all deserve to have the same care for our minds as we do our bodies. When the weather starts to get cooler and the days get shorter, this is when my and a lot of people's mental health suffers the most. 

If you're struggling with your mental health and looking for some tips on how to look after it in autumn, here is my best advice.

Get in an hour of exercise

When the weather is colder and the days are shorter, it can be unmotivating and that means you might not want to go out to the gym or for a run, however, it's important that you do. I'm not saying you need to run a marathon or do an intense workout, but 10-15 minutes here and there can really help your mind as you're moving your body. But, the best thing to do is not to force yourself to exercise as then you won't enjoy it. Pick a routine that'll boost your mood and make you feel good, this can even be yoga or a dance workout.

Make the most of the sunshine

Autumn is always hit and miss when it comes to weather like all year round really in the UK. When it is sunny or not rainy, go and make the most of it. This can be stepping outside for 10 minutes just to feel the fresh air on your face, go for a beach walk (if you live nearby), or have a coffee outside. It doesn't have to be for a long time but the nicer weather can really boost your mood and help your mind. I always find by appreciating the good weather, when the bad weather comes, I can handle it better as I made the most of the sunshine.

Ensure you take regular breaks

I'm guilty of not following this rule, however, I've started to get better at taking breaks and resting a lot more, by listening to my body. Shorter days generally make a lot of us feel less motivated and sometimes that means we either overwork to compensate or put ourselves down for not doing enough. This isn't healthy behaviour and can have a negative impact on our mental health.  And, is why, you need to ensure you're taking regular breaks, getting a good amount of shut-eye, and know when enough is enough.

Don't be so hard on yourself

We are all our own worst critics, comparing ourselves to everyone around us and being the first person to say something bad about ourselves. It may be easier said than done, but stop being so hard on yourself. This is more of a generalised comment for the whole year, however, I feel like it can especially apply to autumn. With the lead-up to Christmas, autumn can be a stressful time for many and that's why it's the perfect time to practice self-care and self-love even more.

Be your own hype girl

This takes me to this point. We all know I'm the biggest advocate for self-love as we all deserve to be the love of our own life and feel worthy. Being your own hype girl is the number one way to fast forward your self-love journey. Do you know how you hype all your pals up? Use the same energy for you. Practice positive affirmations, compliment yourself, give yourself quality time and accept exactly who you are. By falling in love with yourself, it will help you have a better outlook on life in general - and this can aid your mental health in autumn.

Accept that you don't need to be productive all of the time

Resting is as productive as doing an 8-hour day. We were born into a system where people literally kill themselves working to make ends meet or to try to be as successful as possible, but it's not healthy behaviour. Being productive every hour of the day isn't what human beings were built for. We were built to take care of ourselves and do what makes us happy - so, learn to accept the fact that you don't need to be productive to feel fulfilled.

Treat your mind like you do your body

Your mental health is as important as your physical health is a sentence I write way too much as it's so important. If you hurt your leg, you'd rest it so take the same approach with your mind. If you're feeling really motivated and happy, use that energy for good but if you're feeling down, don't push yourself too hard, do what you're capable of.

Do the activities that make you happy

This may be something really obvious to say but it's so important. When you're not feeling your best, you need to do the things that will boost you up and make you feel better. This could be going to the gym, cooking a homemade meal, seeing your friends, or painting a picture, whatever makes your heart soar, ensure you're doing just that. Feeling happier will aid your mental health in the right direction.

Learn to love the cosy evenings

Cosy evenings scream autumn and really what a lot of us look forward to in the autumn time. However, being in the house all the time when the weather isn't great sometimes can't do wonders for our mental health, especially for people who need to get out and about to feel okay. If this is you, try and find the positives in a cosy evening. This could be the yummy candle, the takeaway you're choosing, or who you have around to keep you company.

Know autumn will pass

'This too shall pass' is one of my favourite phrases and can be applied to the season of autumn. If you thrive in the spring and summer months when things are brighter and fresher, autumn can be hard to stomach. However, something to focus on is that it will pass and spring will be back around before you know it.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Lockdown 2.0 has started today and honestly, I have completely mixed emotions about it all. Nothing has really felt normal since the first lockdown. I've been on furlough since April and that's now going to continue due to another lockdown. I've tried to maintain somewhat of a normal routine and keep busy with other projects at that time. Some days it's easy and some days it's hard, but it's about making a new normal for me.

I wrote a post about how to deal with your mental health in lockdown, but after reading that and fully experiencing the last lockdown, there are a few things I'd also add.

Focus on you

Being shut in our houses, there's almost this pressure to use the time to figure our life out or complete our to-do lists that we wouldn't already have the time to do in normal circumstances. However, that's not the case at all. Lockdown is already putting pressure on our mental health as it's a really uncertain time for every single person for various different reasons, and therefore, you shouldn't put that additional pressure on yourself to conquer life. Take the time for you, and what I mean by that is really focus on what you and your body needs.

I had experienced a break up before the last lockdown and my mental health was at an ultimate low, and I used the last lockdown to really focus on my healing process and doing everything I could possibly do to get back to me again. Do what's best for your mental health, live intuitively with your body, and really focus on exactly what you want to do that day, whether you feel productive or just need to relax. Take every day as it comes.

Take social media breaks

I'm very guilty about spending way too much time on social media in general, so when the first lockdown came around, you can imagine that was heightened even more. I would sometimes scroll for hours and not even realise, especially on Instagram and Tik Tok. It's not a healthy thing to do and it really wasn't the best for me and my mental health.

I would advise taking some time away from your phone, having regular social media breaks, and use that time to do something else to focus your mind on. Whether it's reading a book, calling a friend, or watching television; only something that'll sway your mind away from the constant 'perfection' of social media.

Interact as much as you can

Lockdown is unfortunately a time where social interactions are limited. We're not going to family events, meeting up with our best gal pals, or talking nonsense to our work colleagues all day long, and it can be a very lonely time. With that in mind, try not to cut yourself off too much from the outside world and keep social with as many people you can (virtually of course.) Check-in with your friends to see how they are doing, give someone you trust a call if you're not feeling great, and arrange regular Zoom chats with your group. Talking everything out will make this uncertain time a little more normal. 

Practice meditation/listen to calming apps

Regular meditation and learning to find your calm is more beneficial and something I've tried to do a lot more, especially in these uncertain times. I've been doing it before bed, especially on the nights when my anxiety is high and it's really helped. My favourite apps to use are Calm.com and Headspace. 

Writing down 3 things you're grateful for every day

Trying to stay positive in a time like this is difficult, to say the least. There are so many things we've all put on hold, and there has been a lot of bad news for everyone this year. However, there is always something to be grateful for whether it's your health or the fact someone made you smile that day. Each evening, try and think of 3 things you're grateful for and read them over and over before you go to bed. It'll help change your outlook on the whole day and send you to sleep with a positive mindset.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other mental health tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Caring for my mental health has always been my biggest priority and as I've gotten older, I've become a lot better at it, learning to apply suitable boundaries for me and what works for my body and mind. I find winter in particular, a difficult time for my mental health, as I'm more likely to feel low mood, depressed and lack motivation.

If you struggle with your mental health in the winter months and are unsure what to do, here are my best tips on caring for your mind.

Add fun activities to your agenda

There should be fun in every day, even if it's the littlest of moments. Adding fun activities to your agenda throughout the week can bring you moments of fun and excitement to boost your mood. Everyone has different explanations of what fun is to them, whether that's baking a cake, booking social plans or watching your favourite TV show. Whatever the activity, adding them to your daily and weekly agenda will give you things to look forward to.

Find the little things which feel our cup

We all have little things that fill our cups, whether a phone call with your best friend, a slice of cake or reading a book. Every person functions differently and learning what joys make your heart smile and boost your mood is key to caring for your mental health, especially in the low moments.

Write a gratitude list every day

I speak about gratitude incredibly often because it has been the key to creating a positive mindset and helping me appreciate the little things in life, and fall in love with my life more. Writing a daily gratitude list can help you spot and appreciate the good parts of your day. Even if it's a bad day, you can always find good things that happened, such as the food you ate or your warm bed.

Embrace the power of rest and slowing down

This is a lesson I've been trying to get better at this past year especially, as I'm someone who constantly needs to be productive and tick things off my to-do list. If you're not feeling okay, know it's okay to rest your body and mind as that can help you feel better overall. We should learn what our body needs and know when it's time for us to slow down, embracing our energy levels. Living more intuitively, overall can positively impact your mental health.

Get out and about every day

Such a simple piece of advice, yet a powerful one. Fresh air and vitamin D are important for our physical and mental health, helping boost our mood. Getting out and about should be a daily activity, whether it's running errands or for a walk around the block.

Lean on loved ones when you're not feeling 100%

We're not always going to feel our best selves and that's okay. If you're not feeling great, it's okay to lean on others. Speaking to someone can solve the problem and release stored emotions, helping you overall. A loved one can be a listening ear, help you with a certain task or advise as you need. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. What would you add to the list?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Life is full of up and downs, things that'll test our limits and moments that are so great, we'll never forget them; that's what life is all about. It's not meant to be easy in any sense and we all learn things as we grow older, in order for us to grow from our mistakes and figure out who we truly are.

I think we all aspire to live our best lives and it's something we should all have as a goal because it's important to live your life for you. If you're looking to feel more fulfilled in your everyday life and live the best life for yourself, here are my best tips.

Be authentically you

We all spend many years trying to figure out who we are and what we want in life but I believe all of us know deep inside us that fact, and it's about bringing that out. Living our true and authentic self isn't easy in any sense, as you'll find people will be against it, won't understand you, and that you're open to more judgement.

However, we all deserve to be our true selves and live authentically as possible. Once you learn to accept yourself and embrace that in everyday life, you'll become a lot happier as your soul will be aligned with your exterior self. I can honestly assure you that being your true self will radiate the right people towards you and the right opportunities - and add to you, living your best life.

Do things that make your heart soar

Our passions and goals are what shape us as humans and give us focus on what we should aspire to do. All of us have different hobbies and different loves, and the things that really brighten our moods - and these are the things to gravitate towards, even if they're not feasible.

Whether you're an avid writer like me, love interior design, or have a penchant for gardening, if it brings you joy, make time for it and have it as an active part of your life. By spending time doing the things that make your heart soar, you'll feel happier in yourself and enjoy life a lot more.

Learn to love yourself

I preach about self-love all the time as it's the key to living your true self and having a better life. Learning to love yourself is a long journey but an important and crucial one, a journey we should all begin no matter our age. Loving yourself means accepting your flaws, appreciating who you are, and loving every inch of your being - and knowing, you don't need to be in love with yourself 100% of the time.

By learning to love yourself, you'll naturally cut the negative energy out of your life, gravitate towards the things that make you happy, and in turn, it'll help you live your best life.

Cut out all toxic energy

This leads me to negative energy. No matter who you are, negative energy and toxic people will be a part of your life in some way at one point or another. But, to live your best life, it's important to know where to set the boundaries and cut out that toxic energy from your everyday. When you do this, you can live and focus on the things which are good for you and surround yourself with the right people too.

Take rest days and breaks

This point has taken me time to realise and practice. I've always overworked myself and made sure I was doing things at 100 miles an hour and it's not healthy, leading to me burnout often and my mental health, getting worse. But when I began to take breaks and rest days, I felt completely better overall in my mental and physical health.

When you take the time out to relax, it gives your body the chance to replenish and your mind to refresh, and can do you wonders. And, this can help you feel better in yourself to pursue your loves.

Care for your mental health and wellbeing

Mental health is something I advocate about all the time as it's so important to care for your mind, the way you would your body. Mental illness and mental health are different, some may live with a mental illness like anxiety but we all have mental health, and we all need to do the best for our minds.

This can mean learning more about our mind, our triggers, what we love, what upsets us, and setting boundaries to protect ourselves, and step away from the people who aren't right for us. Looking after your mental health will help you live the best life for yourself because it will lay out the road for how you feel about your life and what you can do to live a happier life.

Take care of your physical health

Your physical health is very important and it's important to take care of your body. That means nourishing your body with food, exercising, hydration, and of course rest. By staying healthy and keeping active, it'll not only help your body but your mind too - and do a world of good for living your best life. As they say, a healthy mind is a healthy life.

Always pursue your dreams 

Dreams are what make the world go round and gives us all some level of hope that there's something better and something to strive towards. Dreams aren't meant to be realistic, that's the beauty of them and we should all have our dreams. By dreaming and pursuing your best thoughts will help you live a better life as you'll always be aiming for something that makes your heart soar.

Practice gratitude

Gratitude is incredibly important and something we should all practice every day in order to have a more positive mindset in life. And when you have a positive mindset, the harder days are easier to accept - and know things will be okay in the end. Then, it means you can lead towards living the best life for you.

Focus on the important things in life

What is important is the love you have around you and learning to love yourself in order to live the best life for you. If you focus on those things, rather than the artificial part of life, you'll find a lot more satisfaction, gratitude, and fulfillment in your everyday life - and also understand how beautiful life truly is to give us the gift of love, friendship, experiences, fun, and happiness.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Looking after your mental health should be your number one priority and something I value highly. By caring for your mind, it benefits every element of your life, including your outlook on life. This means listening to your mind and what you want, putting yourself first and speaking kindly to yourself.

Whether you're dealing with burnout or feeling stressed, burnout is common and here are my tips on how to prevent and deal with burnout. 

Take breaks throughout the day and week

Breaks are the key to looking after yourself. If you're constantly working and giving 100% energy, you're going to burn out. You need to have breaks to recharge, give yourself room to think and recover from hard work. Your phone battery needs to charge after a while and you're the same, you're human after all. If you're known for not coming up for air, schedule breaks into your calendar as it'll give you the reminder you need.

Do activities which promote joy

Burnout is easy to come by, especially if you're doing activities or tasks that make you frustrated or fill you with negative energy. Find activities that spark joy, whether it's writing, baking, going for a walk or doing pilates. Whatever the activity is, ensure it's one which makes you happy and you can implement it as much as possible in your daily and weekly routine. 

Reduce screen time

Screen time is the source of many negative effects, such as enforcing negative thoughts about yourself and a constant dopamine hit. I find I use my phone more when I'm burned out as I'm in a negative mindset and need something for that dopamine hit. Reducing screentime can help keep a more healthy mindset towards your daily life and yourself and add to the techniques of prioritising your mental health.

Stay social

Socialising is incredibly important for us to reduce loneliness and put ourselves first. Staying social adds that positivity to your day and gives you that break away from work and the other frustrations in your life. Similar to how you organise breaks, do the same with socialising. Whether it's after work or on the weekend, social plans help immensely for your mental health.

Get outside and experience the fresh air often

Fresh air and getting outside are crucial to caring for your mental health and the same with preventing burnout. I find that burnout is more common for me when I stay inside and continue working rather than take a break and go outside to breathe in the fresh air.

Prioritise good nutrition 

Health is the most important thing, both mentally and physically. Nutrition goes hand in hand with both physical and mental health, having a positive impact on both. How we eat can help boost our mood, productivity levels and how we treat ourselves. By making quality food, you're prioritising your health which is a self-care tactic we all deserve more of.

Ensure you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep

Sleep is so important for our mental health and ensuring we're looking after ourselves. 7 to 8 hours of sleep is recommended for a good night's sleep and it's vital we all get it. By sleeping enough, you'll be able to fully recharge your batteries and that means, burnout and overworking yourself is less likely.

Write down your thoughts and feelings regularly

We all carry plenty in our minds, whether it's a to-do list, something we're anxious about or endless work tasks. Whatever it is, write it down and how you're feeling about it. By doing this, it'll take a weight off your shoulders and means there's less to think about and you're less likely to burn out.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Running a business is hard work and can be constant so it's a challenging thing to switch off. Whether thinking about your workload, money, networking or how to grow, being a business owner is constantly on my mind. Mental health is a priority to me as taking care of my mind, helps me feel more fulfilled, work productively and appreciate the business growth. 

If you're a business owner and need advice about your mental health, here are my tips on caring for your mental health as a business owner.

Set a schedule

I love organisation as it keeps my anxiety at bay and helps me understand my expectations for the day and week. Setting a schedule is vital in planning out your workload, whether you're a freelance marketing specialist like me or a photographer. I find it helps to book slots across the week and month for my retainers and block out time for projects, networking, admin and my own marketing. Then, I know what free time I have to take breaks, run errands and book in social plans. 

Book in regular breaks 

If you work all the time, you'll be burnt out and you won't work as productively. Booking in breaks allows your mind and body to rest, refresh and take care of you. When you've taken a break, you can start the day with fresh eyes, with a new perspective and motivation to work. Breaks can mean an hour in your day, an afternoon off every week, a week off here and there or even a sabbatical. Whatever break you need, make sure it's regular enough to help your mind.

Keep social personally and professionally 

Socialising can really help your mental health, especially when you're feeling low. Whether it's a friend, family or your partner, booking time with those who love you can boost you up, help you relax and enjoy your favourite things about life. It's also important to stay social professionally because it helps you connect with people on the same path as you and can also help build more opportunities.

Get out and about every day

You've probably heard it a million times but fresh air and exercise really are the key to a boost in your day. Whether it's only for ten minutes or for an hour, getting out and about will help you step away from the screen or focus on work. I love to take a stroll along the beach, through the town or any open spaces.

Create a nurturing lifestyle

Health is the most important thing to care for your mind and a nurturing life will help with that. Choosing the food and exercise which makes you feel good can shape a fulfilling and content every day. I love to start the day with pilates and a breakfast of delicious and filling foods that my body feels good after eating.

Don't overfill your workload

It's easy as a business owner to be constantly working or thinking about work and it makes it tempting to overfill your schedule. However, I'd always recommend not completely booking your schedule, leaving gaps for breaks and socialising. If you fill up your schedule too much, you'll likely burn out or resent your work.

Focus on the positives

I don't know about you but I struggle with the highs and lows as a freelancer because if it's a low period of work, the self-doubt comes in. I think about all the things I haven't done or achieved, rather than focus on everything I've achieved and my journey as a business owner. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. What else would you add?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Setting boundaries and saying no has always been deemed as a bad thing or something that is 'rude', however, it's the opposite of that. Saying no is all about having the love and respect for yourself, and doing what's right for you that'll it'll radiate better energy around you and towards other people.

Whether you find it hard to set boundaries or want to learn to say no easier, here are a few tips on how and why it's so important.

Learning to say no - top tips on how to

Start off small

Nothing new in life is easy, it's all about building yourself up in feeling confident and okay in doing that 'thing', and that's the same with saying no. How many times have you worked extra hours, gone to a social event, or stayed with someone way too long, simply because you felt too shy or rude to say no? Probably many and you're not alone.

We never want to disappoint those around us and often follow the path we think they want for us in order to make them happy, but in turn that makes us unhappy and also makes us not realise who we are, what we want, and how to set boundaries. If something doesn't feel right, whether that's a social meet-up, job task, or trying a drink, you can say no. And starting small is the best way to do it. For instance, turning down a friend as you actually would prefer to have the time for yourself or staying in as you need a mental health day- saying no can apply in all instances and it's about respecting and valuing yourself first in order to make the right decisions.

Understand when someone is crossing a boundary

Boundaries are something I'm constantly learning about every single day and something I wish I learnt earlier in life - and are something we all need to implement for a better way of life. No two people are the same, even if they've got the same genes. We're all wired differently and we all have different boundaries, and it's important to learn what they are.

When you find yourself getting upset about something, even if it's something minor or seems 'unnecessary', it may mean that someone has stepped over a boundary - and that's why it's hard to place why you feel so upset or understand. If you begin to recognise this once, you'll then be in the mindset to know what triggers you and where you're boundaries are and start to implement them for the people around you.

Learn the steps in not feeling guilty

Saying no to friends, family, colleagues or even strangers can feel so unnatural as we're constantly taught to please people around us and be a 'yes' person, and that's where the feeling of guilt may begin to crop up. 

But, guilt is a feeling we can begin to diminish. Like all negative emotions, it can take time but it is possible. The best way to begin not feel guilty is by using affirmations and constantly reassuring yourself that you're making the decision for yourself as you love and care for yourself. You can also try to create a safe space within yourself and take the steps in your self-love journey as these two things as simple as they are, once conquered, can really change your mindset including when it comes to feeling guilty.

Understand you're never too much for the right person

This is something I cannot stress enough and what I've been implementing into many day-to-day thoughts, especially when it comes to people around me. You're never too much for the right person, in terms of your personality, mental health, and most importantly, your boundaries.

The right person will respect the boundaries you set for them, whether they're a pal or a partner and that's why it's so important to understand this concept. If you try to put a boundary in place and the other person doesn't understand or respect that, they're not right for you and it may be worth, creating your distance from that person. Once you understand that the right people will be there for you in every instance, including when you bail and say no, then you will live a much simpler life and be able to put the correct boundaries in place for your mental health.

Communicate why you're saying no

This isn't always necessary as no should be enough, you shouldn't have to explain yourself for being you or if something is hard such as a social situation. However, many people may not understand why you're saying no, and by communicating when you feel uncomfortable and why, or simply because it's not something you want to do or enjoy, will help the other person understand what you're going through - and avoid them doing it in future opportunities.

Why it's so important

Learning to say no is important for many different reasons and can benefit you more than you may realise at first. 

Learning to love and respect yourself

Self-love is something I talk about a lot on my blog and to those around me as we all deserve to love and accept every bit of who we are. Learning to say no feeds into the idea of self-love because, when you make the decision to say no to something that isn't bringing you joy, you're helping your overall life satisfaction and creating the room to do things you love - and will make you happy. It also helps you respect yourself and your own boundaries as you're showing those around you what those boundaries are. You can then understand yourself more, and everybody else can learn from that.

Benefiting your mental health

Mental health and raising awareness about it are so important. Some people may have a mental illness but we all have mental health and it's crucial to take care of your mind, the same way you would your body. Saying no also feeds into looking after your mental health as if you're pushed into doing something, it can make you unhappy and uncertain which in turn will have a negative impact on your mind. Boundaries are key to a happier mind.

Creating a safe circle of people around you

Being who you are is so important as we all deserve to be our true selves, there is only one of us. But that can only be possible when we accept and love ourselves and creating a safe circle of people around us. By saying no and creating boundaries, you'll slowly figure out who that safe circle is and who you can rely on for support and to be your authentic self. 

It gives power back to your life

Saying no is a powerful thing as saying yes is much easier. By saying no, you're taking control of your life, what you want, your dreams your passions, and creating the life you want to live. Saying no is the first step to big things.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Christmas is nearly here and although it's not the festivities we were planning for and I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen over the festive period, it's important now more than ever to put your mental health first.

For me, although Christmas is a happy time and it's filled with joy, it also holds a lot of pressure. There's so much pressure on being happy the entire time, on presents, and having the best day ever that often, I have a lot of anxiety around the holiday.

However, there are some things I've done over the years to really look after my mental health at Christmas, and here are my top 6 tips: 

Planning is key

One of the big pressures around Christmas is present shopping and ensuring you see everyone. Although this year seeing everyone physically may not be possible and it can take away that pressure, the virtual option is still there. My best way to keep this under wraps is to plan as much as you can and stay organised. When it comes to presents, I like to make the list as early as October with ideas of presents and how much money I'm going to spend. This will give me time to plan and shop but also figure out how much money I need to put aside each month to be able to afford Christmas.

The social aspect of Christmas I find intense as there is always so much family and friends to see during that period, it's like the time everyone comes together. Even though this year, everyone wants to do just that and socialise, I feel there is more anxiety around it. The rules may be lifted and that means social events could happen but if you don't feel comfortable for your own safety, simply don't go. My advice would be to arrange virtual Christmas dates or parties online, or if we're able to, social events outside (that's pretty hard with the weather though.) Keep to the rules and do whatever you feel comfortable in, in whatever way shape, and form that comes in. Try and organise to talk to people but if you can't, arrange something in the new year - this will help take the pressure away from you.

Rest up as much as you can

At Christmas time, it's a time of year a lot of us take off work to relax and spend quality time with our families. But make sure during that period to also rest up and sleep. I don't just mean sleep, but really take the time to take a step back from the busy everyday life moments. Enjoy the slow movements, watching films in your pyjamas, and chilling out.

Be kind to yourself

You always need to look out for no1, yourself but especially during Christmas season. As although it's a period of great joy, it can also be a time of pressure and a triggering time for those who have mental illnesses. Take the time for yourself and be kind to yourself - it's okay not to be okay.

Practice your usual self-care routine

I can often find during the festive season, self-care is more important than ever. There's more to self-care than just bubble baths and face masks, it's about prioritising your mental health, setting boundaries, and listening to your body. Try and do this by practicing daily affirmations, resting when needed, and socialising when you feel like it.

Write a gratitude list every day

Chrismas is a beautiful time a year and it's a period where a lot of us express our gratitude more often. Keeping a gratitude journal is good mental health practice in general but, at Christmas when tensions can be high, it can be more important than ever. Each morning or night, write down a couple of things you're grateful for and read them every now and then, to keep more of a positive mindset.

Enjoy it as much as you can

Let's not forget, Christmas is the season for celebration and this year, in particular, is going to be harder than other years, so take it for what it is and try and enjoy it the best you can. In whatever shape or form the festivities will look like, it's a time for families to come together, to eat good food, and most importantly, share your love for one another.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm a big advocate for mental health as many of you know, it's something I've spoken about for years on my blog, sharing my journey of anxiety and depression. When the seasons change into autumn and winter, I find it's the most challenging time for my mental health. With darker nights and dreary weather, the natural joy of summer passes and it really affects me.

I know many people struggle with seasonal changes, regarding their mental health. If you struggle with your mental health in autumn and winter, here are my best tips to care for it.

Make the most of the daylight hours

My least favourite thing about autumn and winter is the short days and how it's dark outside before the work day even ends. Sometimes, I feel robbed of an evening because I can't roam around or do activities the same as I would during bright summer evenings. Due to this, I make the most of the daylight hours. This means waking up earlier and getting out and about in the day when I can. On a work day, I would try going on walks during my lunch break or running errands during my breaks, and on the weekends, do as many activities as possible whilst the day is bright.

Maximise your morning routine

I'm a morning person, I always have been. I love being able to accomplish a list of things before the day has even really begun because then I feel as if I have more of a day. In the autumn and winter, it's even more important to maximise your mornings because as it gets dark sooner, the days feel shorter, even though they aren't. I think many of us forget how much we can do in the space of an hour or two before we start our course of the day, whether it's a work day or a busy weekend. I've been trying to get up and ensure I do some form of exercise, whether it's pilates, a workout or a walk and some reading as well. That way, I'm doing something good for my body and something I enjoy to set me up for the day. 

Stay sociable

I always find this time of year, I'm ready to hibernate and do more activities inside and that in itself can sometimes shut off as many social plans as summer brings. Because of this mindset, I would suggest trying to stay sociable. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to go out in the cold, you can have film nights or games nights. However, keeping social will prevent you from hibernating and falling into a negative mindset, if you're feeling low.

Do the hobbies that make you happy

We all have hobbies which make out hearts happy, whether you love to paint or delve into a good book. Whatever it is, don't let the dreariness of these seasons prevent you from pursuing them. Make time for the hobbies you love, even if it's only for 20 minutes a day.

Practise self-care

Self-care is one of the most important things and doesn't only mean bubble baths and facemasks. It means listening to your body and understanding what it needs, emotionally and physically. It's also all about setting boundaries, saying no when you feel you need, practising affirmations, practising self-love and looking after number one. Motivation can lack in these seasons and why it's crucial to prioritise elements of self-care in your daily routine.

Utilise indoor exercise

Unfortunately, as these seasons come into play, it means darker evenings and my content beach walks aren't as easy to do anymore. This is why I love to utilise the power of indoor exercise. With Youtube and other social media platforms sharing an array of various workouts, we're spoilt for choice on what to do to look after our bodies. I'm obsessed with pilates, they're one of my favourite types of exercises. However, you could also do yoga, a dance workout, HIT workouts, fully body workouts and even utilise any workout equipment if you have it.

Participate in activities to slow down

I recently wrote a post about activities to help you slow down because recently, they've really been helping me to relax and care for my mental wellbeing. We don't always need to be doing exciting things to warm our hearts and be thrilled, there are many calmer activities which can provide the same feeling, such as drawing and writing.

Focus on healthy eating

When I talk about healthy eating, I don't mean dieting because as many of you know, diet culture is something I absolutely despise. I believe we all deserve to enjoy good food and treat ourselves, it's all about eating intuitively. Intuitive eating is picking food that's going to make you feel good mentally and physically. That could be a fresh fruit smoothie or a giant cookie. It's about making the right choices for yourself, having cooking freedom and listening to your body.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What other tips do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

I've done a lot of growing mentally and emotionally from where I was in my teens, and I've learnt a lot of life lessons along the way.

1. Self-love is no1 priority - Self-love is so incredibly important and a lesson that needs to be taught more to young teens. It's something I've learned to come to terms with recently and practicing acts of self-love to help my mental health and how I view myself. From boosting myself up to taking the time out to work on what's best for me; loving myself is the number one priority.
2. Life isn't an Instagram feed - Social media has a crazy influence on everything these days, especially on how young people view themselves, and it's not healthy. I think it's important to constantly reassure yourself that what you see on social media isn't always real and nobody is perfect. A lot of photos posted on Instagram are staged, overly edited, and only show one small part of someone's life. Remember that when you're constantly comparing yourself to other online users - and that how many likes you get doesn't define you as a person.
3. Happiness comes from within - Happiness is a journey, not a destination, and as soon as you're able to find inner happiness, the sooner you'll be happy with your day to day life. This all begins with a positive mindset and seeing the better in every day. For me, this journey took a very long time, but I've reached a level of content where I do feel happy from within.
4. Confidence grows in time - Confidence is something I never thought I would have and it's taken a long journey to get to the point where I feel confident and content with who I am. I've written multiple posts about self-confidence, but you need to realise, that it will take time and you can get there. You can get to a point where you accept who you are and rock it. If I can, anyone can.
5. Always go with your gut - Gut instinct is something we're all born with and you should always listen to it. Follow your heart with every decision and go by what will suit you most. It's your life and you're number one priority - and it's not selfish to do so.
6. Don't live your life for others - Following on from number 5, it's important in life to live your dreams and follow your goals, and not to rely on other people's validation to live your life. Whether it's your parents or friends, at the end of the day it's your life and you shouldn't let other people's opinions guide you.
7. Time is everything - Time is the most valuable thing in life. This goes in every aspect, especially spending time with others. Try and focus on people and time for one another rather than the materialistic things in life. When you're old and grey, you'll remember memories with friends and family rather than the fancy handbag you bought. Invest in experiences and travel.
8. Explore as much as the world whilst you can - I'm a massive travel addict and I've used the most part of my 20s to travel around the world and loved every minute of it. Travel makes my heart soar and is something I advise everyone to dabble in. The world is wide and there are so many exciting places to see and cultures to experience - do it whilst you can.
9. Never strive for perfection - As Hannah Montana once sang 'Nobody's Perfect' and that's the truest thing I learned watching Disney Channel growing up. No human on earth is perfect, perfection doesn't exist and you shouldn't strive for it, as it's an impossible goal. Instead, you should strive for being assured in your own skin, that's when you'll find true happiness.
10. Live while you're young - Like One Direction sang 'Live while you're young'; you should do exactly that. Book that flight, go on that first date, stay up till sunrise, go to karaoke, party with your best friends, go on endless beach days, ride that rollercoaster, and travel; move around the world as much as you can. Take every opportunity in your path and live the high ride - so in years to come, you can look back on those fun memories.
11. Love every moment - Life is what you make it and even though it's full of ups and downs, and unexpected moments, learn to love the good and the bad. They happen for a reason and shape you into who you are. Appreciate the little things and cherish the moments you will never get back.
12. Be assured it's okay not to be okay - This is probably one of my favourite and most important lessons. As much as it's important to be happy, it's also important to know and realise, you don't need to be happy all the time. Down days are inevitable and so are bouts of anxiety, nerves, and feeling lost. We all go through hard times and that is okay, that is life. Be patient and take a day at a time.
13. Mental health is very important - Following on from point 12, mental health is so important, and looking after yours should be a priority. Whether that's by taking time out, cutting toxic people out of your life, practicing meditation, or doing whatever you need to do to maintain a healthy mindset. Your mental health should be as important as your physical health. Treat a bad mental health day like you would a fever and care for yourself. And, always check in your friends with their mental health, as you never know what people are going through. 
14. Having a positive mindset will help you conquer all - Being a half glass full kind of person will do wonders in life. I've learned over the years by thinking positive about every situation gave me a better outlook on life and how I viewed things. It can take practice to get there but once you train your brain to be that way, you will feel a lot happier.
15. Body confidence is something you can learn - My journey to being completely body confident took years of growth and practice but I'm at a point, where I'm fully happy with the skin I'm in. As I've gotten older, I realised that nobody has the perfect body and I shouldn't strive for that - I should strive for accepting the body I have. It's healthy, it's looking after me and it's a body. We all have one and we should all love it.
16. Accepting yourself is key - Like with body confidence and confidence as a whole, once you take the initial step in accepting your flaws and everything good about yourself, then you will be able to take on many obstacles that come your way. It's about learning your self-worth and realising who you are which can rocket your self-confidence. Accepting yourself is the hardest step but the most crucial one.
17. Learn the art of letting go - Letting things go is a powerful art and something we should all try and practice. Holding onto grudges, staying in contact with toxic people, or at a place that doesn't make you happy can hurt you in the long run. Once you learn to walk away from things that don't make your heart soar, your happiness will come with it.
18. Everything happens for a reason - I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason and your path is already laid out for you and I think this is something which has always helped me stay positive in times of crisis. Having that belief in what will be, will be, helps lessen the worries when unexpected things occur.
19. Surround yourself with people who believe in you - The people you surround yourself with is so important as they impact how you feel about yourself and what you get up to in life. I've learnt as I got older to have the people around me that will boost me up and support everything I do, rather than tear me down. The people who truly love you will believe in you every step of the way and those are the people you need in your life.  
20. Your dreams and passions are so important - We've all only got one life and how you choose to live it is down to you. Follow your dreams, try new things, and learn what your passions are - and roll with it. Life is about living for the now, having fun and accomplishing whatever you dream to do.
21. Love yourself before you love everyone else - This is probably the best ever bit of relationship advice I can give you or I wish I knew when I was a lot younger. Loving yourself should be your number 1 priority and you shouldn't rely on anyone else for your happiness. Then, when you get into a relationship, you choose to be with someone because you want them in your life not because you need them. You should only need yourself - and when you're content with who you are, you and your partner will flourish a lot more as a couple.
22. Diet culture isn't healthy - I could rant about the diet industry as a whole all day long. Being skinny or thin isn't what you need to be in life to be a good person or be beautiful - there is so much more to the world than how much you weigh. It's a number on a scale and doesn't define you in any way. I've come to terms with this over the years. But one thing that made me realise was reading into the diet industry and how in a sense you're 'congratulated' for losing weight or becoming a smaller size. And although that is an accomplishment when you choose to diet and eat healthier, it shouldn't be about how much weight you're going to lose as that can fluctuate, it should be about how your body feels and how healthy you are, physically and mentally. Every different size is beautiful whether you're slim or curvy, embrace that, and don't get the marketing world of dieting tell you otherwise. You do not need a quick fix or skinny teas, it isn't healthy.
23. Treat people with kindness - Harry Styles' brand is around the phrase 'treat people with kindness' and it's one of the most important mantras out there. You never know what somebody is going through and in a world that can be so cruel, try to be kind. Smile at strangers, check up on people, and help whoever you can in some way. Throw kindness around like confetti. Everyone has a story and everyone deserves to be loved.
24. Failure is part of life - Last but not least is a lesson about failure. Life is a rollercoaster, it sounds corny but that's the truth. It's full of ups and downs, hard times, and good times, but everything is put in place to help you through. And, failure is a part of that. You're never a failure if you try but what you should understand is you will fail at times and that's okay, you will make mistakes and you will be wrong. This is all part of being human.