Play & Talk with Every Mind Matters: Level Up Your Mental Health
Taking time to relax, and spending time with friends, are two ways to look after your mental health. Games can be a practical way to do both. The Play & Talk weekend provides a brilliant opportunity to connect with others and talk about how you’re feeling. Especially as it’s so close to World Mental Health Day.
We’ve partnered with Every Mind Matters to bring you some practical ideas to look after your mental health. Try these tips to find out what works for you.
Make your own Mind Plan
Getting a Mind Plan from Every Mind Matters is a great way to start looking after your mental health. It’s free and easy-to-complete and is approved by the NHS. By answering five simple questions, you’ll get a personalised mental health action plan. It will give you practical tips for dealing with stress and anxiety, boosting your mood, sleeping better, and feeling more in control.
It’s super quick to complete and will help you stay on top form.
Start your free Mind Plan here
Top tips to improve your mental wellbeing
We all need good mental health. Here are 6 simple actions that will make a big difference. Power up for a happier, healthier life today.
1. Reframe unhelpful thoughts
The way we think, feel, and behave are linked. Taking steps to think differently can improve your wellbeing.
2. Be in the present
Taking time to be aware of our own thoughts and feelings, and the world around us, gives us a better perspective.
3. Get good sleep
Good quality sleep makes a big difference to how we feel mentally and physically, so it’s important to get enough.
4. Connect with others
Talking about how we feel, or helping others, can stop us feeling lonely. This can be online, by phone or in person.
5. Live a healthy life
Being active and having a balanced diet impacts helps our mood. As does cutting out alcohol, smoking and caffeine.
6. Do something for yourself
It’s important to do things that make you happy. Enjoy hobbies, learn something new or simply take time to relax.
How video games could boost your wellbeing
There are little things we can all do to look after our mental health. And gaming could be one of them. Follow these tips to find out how it might work for you.
Find your flow
Some games give you a problem to solve, which requires you to shift your focus to the task in hand. This can provide a break from your worries and help ease tension. Everyone is different, so try to find a game genre that works for you.
Get active with games
Being active is great for your mental health and there are now a range of video games that are designed to get you moving. Make your work-outs fun.
Catch up with people in-game
Online multiplayer games give you a chance to talk to your friends and family about anything you’d like to. Find a game that everyone can enjoy.
Play well
Be safe and responsible with your gaming. Set playtime limits, take regular breaks, and have other hobbies away from games to strike a healthy balance
Feel more in control
When you’ve finished gaming with your friends and family, don’t forget to start your free Mind Plan here.
It’s a free interactive quiz that will help you put together a personalised action plan of practical tips and advice.
We hope you enjoy this year’s Play & Talk event.
