A WINSFORD-based therapist is offering an insight on how we can all take steps to look after our mental health.

Rebecca Kinnear, of Eden Therapy and Wellbeing, has worked in the mental health field since graduating in psychology and counselling in 2010.

In the past eight years, she’s worked with families, adults and young people supporting them with mental health difficulties and socio-ecological difficulties. As well as running her own private practice, Rebecca also works with children and families in the public sector.

“Many of us know what we need to do to look after our physical health but often, our mental health can be forgotten,” explains Rebecca.

“Having good mental health can lead to improvements in our immune system and improve our physical wellbeing too. There are a wide range of things that we can do to look after our mental health and wellbeing.”

Here, the experienced practitioner provides steps we can all take to try to improve our mental health.

Connecting

“Research has shown the power of connecting with other people. Spending time with people who make us feel good can help to release endorphins and improve our mood and wellbeing.

Relaxing

“When we feel stressed, it can be easy to just ‘plough on’ rather than stopping to take time for ourselves. Like any functioning machine, we all need to take time out to rest and recharge. What you do to relax isn’t necessarily the important part, it’s just the act of doing it. Scheduling in time to relax is often helpful in ensuring that you do it.

Self-talk and self-compassion

“That little voice in our heads can be our biggest cheerleader but, at times can also our biggest critic. Taking time to train your inner voice to focus on the facts rather than your emotions and to be more positive can be difficult, but it’s worth investing in.

Achieving

“Doing something that makes you feel good and makes you feel like you have achieved can be extremely good for your mental health and can help improve your self-esteem too. These don’t have to be big projects, just anything that gives you a sense of fulfilment.

Give yourself permission not to do it all

Be aware of how much you can handle. All too often, people tell me that they “should” and “must” be able to cope; it’s important to acknowledge that you are human and that you don’t have to be able to handle everything.

Practice your problem-solving skills

“When we feel overwhelmed, we often find that it is difficult to remember our problem-solving skills. Take time to write down anything that is on your mind, what your goal is for the situation and plot the individual steps that need to happen to get you there. Breaking it down can help it to seem less overwhelming and more achievable.

Try a positivity journal

“Writing down three positive things at the end of a day has been found to help improve depression and help to shift people’s focus. It’s simple but effective.”

For more information about Eden Therapy and Wellbeing and the workshops Rebecca runs to help parents and caregivers to raise resilient young children and young people visit edentherapyandwellbeing.co.uk