Our mental health, like our physical health matters every week of the year. Mental Health Awareness Week now lets us amplify the conversation – as individuals with our family, friends and colleagues – and within our organisations.
Nature is the theme for this year’s #mentalhealthawarenessweek, so we asked some of the team to tell us how they tap into the positive effects of getting outdoors and re-connecting with our surroundings.
Colette, our H&S Administrator appreciates the benefits of getting outdoors for mental wellbeing and general physical health – for the whole family.
Colette says,“Walking is great for mental health, for parents and children alike. We are fortunate to live by a river and enjoy walking the coastal path or rock pooling with the kids. A favourite walk for us is Lunderston Bay to Inverkip and we’ll spend many evenings and weekends – whatever the weather – outdoors.
In January, I raised £250 for Maggie’s Centre by walking 50 miles; a challenge that gave me a reason to get my walking shoes on and get moving. She added, “My spirits are always lifted after a good walk – and helping out a good cause made the positive glow even more rewarding!”
Time with her children and grandchildren outdoors is restorative for our Health & Safety Manager, Cat. “The last year has been a challenge for all of us, and I’ve missed spending time with my family. With restrictions easing, we managed to organise some outdoor family time – and there is nothing quite like it for lifting our spirits and restoring some perspective.”
GSA’s Finance team can often be found climbing some of the local hills that are within easy reach of our head office. Ash said, “There is nothing like a walk up a hill, with good company and great views, for shaking off any of the stresses of the week.”
A walk with a purpose is something Bella, from our marketing team finds good for her wellbeing – especially if there are brambles to
flavour gin or wild garlic to make a pasta sauce with. “I love a freebie, and there is something great about picking something like brambles or sloe and then enjoying the fruits of your labour in a refreshing G&T.” 😊
Walking with our dogs – whether it’s bagging munros, like our Finance Manager Kirsty and her cairn terrier, Lexi, or just a walk in the local park – is a popular de-stresser for the GSA team. So we thought we’d wrap up our latest blog with some pics of our wonderful four-legged friends and hope that they give you something to smile about…..
Useful Links
Before we finish, we shared some useful links with our team at the start of the week, and share again here, for anyone that is struggling with any mental health issues and wants to reach out for help.
Mental Health UK
Support in Mind Scotland
Rethink Mental Illness
Hafal
MindWise
Mental Health Ireland
*Quote in title, courtesy of the great John Muir.
