NHBF backs Public Health England’s ‘Better Health - Every Mind Matters’ campaign

The NHBF has put its weight behind an important Public Health England campaign that aims to support the nation’s mental health during the current pandemic. Lockdowns and financial pressures have increased mental health problems, says Public Health England, and its latest campaign, ‘Better Health – Every Mind Matters’, which ran until 31 March 2021, helped adults to take care of their mental wellbeing and deal with stress, anxiety, low mood and sleep problems.
Urgent support: If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you must tell someone. You do not have to struggle alone. Find out more about what help is available. 

This blog post covers: 

• What the NHBF is doing
• Create your own ‘mind plan’
• Dealing with the four most common mental health problems
• Dealing with anxiety about the coronavirus
• Support across the four nations

What the NHBF is doing 

“We are in frequent contact with Members who are struggling to cope with the pandemic and repeated lockdowns which have taken their toll on those working in the hair and beauty industry, both financially and psychologically,” says NHBF director Tina Beaumont-Goddard. 

“That’s why we have welcomed the opportunity to support Public Health England’s Better Health - Every Mind Matters campaign. As a start, you can take a quick quiz which provides tailored suggestions called a ‘Mind Plan’ (see below) showing you simple steps to help deal with stress and boost your mood.” 

Discover more advice, resources and tools to support mental wellbeing and enable you to take action.

Find out what you can do to promote good mental health.

Learn how to support a bereaved colleague 

Create your own ‘Mind Plan’

Answer five quick questions to get your free plan with tips to help you deal with stress and anxiety, improve your sleep, boost your mood and feel more in control. 

Dealing with the four most common mental health problems 

The four most common mental health problems are:

• Dealing with stress
• Dealing with anxiety
• Improving mood
• Improving sleep

Urgent support: If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you must tell someone. You do not have to struggle alone. Find out more about what help is available. 

Dealing with stress 

There are plenty of things you can do to help cope with feelings of stress or burnout. The top tips from Every Mind Matters are:

• Split up big tasks if they seem overwhelming and difficult.
• Take the time to list three things every day that went well.
• Challenge unhelpful thoughts.
• Stay active - exercise can help reduce stress.
• Talk to someone.
• Plan ahead and make a to-do list if you are facing a stressful day or event.

Find out more including links to videos on each of these tips. 

Dealing with anxiety 

Anxiety becomes a problem when it feels intense or overwhelming, causes distress and interferes with our everyday lives and relationships. Every Mind Matters suggests trying the following to manage your feelings of anxiety:

• Understand your anxiety by keeping a diary.
• Challenge your anxious thoughts.
• Create specific ‘worry time’ to go through your concerns, then focus on other things.
• Face the things you feel you need to avoid.
• Shift your focus through mindfulness or breathing exercises.
• Use problem-solving techniques to make challenges more manageable. 

Discover more including videos and resources. 

Improving mood 

Everyone feels low from time to time, but you can take steps to help improve your mood. The top tips from Every Mind Matters are:

• Try doing some important or enjoyable activities that you’ve been neglecting.
• Challenge unhelpful thoughts.
• Talk to someone.
• Get better sleep.
• Be kind to yourself – break tasks into chunks and give yourself credit for your achievements.
• Be active, drink less alcohol and have a healthy diet. 

Find out more and watch videos on lifting your mood. 

Improving sleep 

Sleep problems are common and the following tips from Every Mind Matters may help:

• Keep regular sleep hours and try to avoid napping.
• Create a restful environment to sleep in.
• Being more active can help you sleep better.
• If you are lying awake, get up and do something relaxing before going back to bed.
• Write down your worries before going to bed.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime. 

Find out more and watch videos about improving your sleep. 

Dealing with anxiety about the coronavirus 

There are a number of simple actions that can be taken to help reduce anxiety caused by the pandemic and lockdowns. These include: 

• Staying connected and maintaining healthy relationships with people you trust via the phone, social media or video calls.
• It’s good to talk – share your concerns with others you trust or use a recommended helpline.
• Eat healthy meals, drink enough water and exercise regularly. Try a ten-minute workout.
• Use only reliable news sources and consider limiting the amount of time you spend watching, reading or listening to coverage of the pandemic.
• Focus on a favourite hobby or try new ones – there are lots of free tutorials and courses online.
• Try to maintain regular sleeping patterns. Find out how to sleep better. 

Find more tips and links to further support 

Look after your mental health while at home 

Support across the four nations 

Find more information and sources of support in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 

• Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland