The 3rd Monday of every January has become known as Blue Monday.
The festivities of December have worn off, we might be feeling disheartened with our new years resolutions and it can feel as though we are painfully far away from payday! And that’s without the pressures of the current cost of living crisis.
This time of year can be tough in many different ways but it’s important to remember that you are not alone in feeling blue this Monday. This is one of the hardest times of the year and things will get better soon.
#bluemonday #januaryblues #weareess #mentalhealthawareness
Setting achievable goals
This time of year is a time when many of us are reflecting on the year just passed and how we will reinvent ourselves into the ‘new me’.
Many of us of have the best of intentions when we set our goals but it’s easy to be over ambitious and leave ourselves feeling overwhelmed rather than inspired. Resolutions often fail because they’re unrealistic, too vague or based on what others or society is telling you to do, rather than what feels right for you.
A great way to ensure that your goal has the maximum chance of success is to follow the ‘SMART’ goal method:
S - Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? What specific actions will you take?
M- Measurable: How will you measure or track your progress?
A-Achievable: Is the goal doable? Do you have the necessary time, skills and resources? If not, what can you do to develop these?
R- Relevant: How does the goal fit with your broader life goals? Why is it important to you? Are you setting your goal because that’s what society or someone else tells you to do, or is it something that you want for yourself?
T- Time-Bound: What is the time frame for accomplishing your goal? Is this realistic?
We hope this will help you to achieve your goals in 2023!
#newyearnewme #newyearsresolutions #WeAreESS
We know that this time of year can be a difficult one for many of us, for various reasons. After a tough year, it’s more important than ever that we continue to look out for those around us, as well as keeping check of our own mental health.
There is always support available from people who want to help and are here to listen, even at Christmas time. Swipe to see a list of helplines and useful contacts which can support you over the holiday period.
For many more websites and helplines including finance support, LGBT, child abuse, mens line, bereavement support and more, head to: mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/useful-contacts/
Wishing you a happy and safe Christmas!
#merrychristmas #mentalhealthatchristmas #mentalhealth #WeAreESS
Many of us may be attending office parties before the holidays, not to mention the Christmas catch
ups with friends and family. Before we
even get to Christmas day, it’s easy to
see how our alcohol consumption can
start to add up.
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying
a drink sometimes, but it’s important
to pay attention to how alcohol is
affecting your health and wellbeing.
Always drink responsibly.
If you are worried about your
own or someone else’s drinking,
Drinkaware’s trained advisors
are available to give you
confidential advice on their online
Drinkchat service. For more
information and support, head
to the Drinkaware website: drinkaware.co.uk @drinkaware_trust
#drinkaware #drinkresponsibly #christmas #alcoholawareness #WeAreESS #healthtips
Christmas is a time of indulgence...
A time to enjoy our favourite nostalgic food and drinks. We definitely do not want you feeling guilty for enjoying yourself this Christmas.
Though it is possible to make some small changes and tweaks to benefit our health, without it taking away from our enjoyment. In fact, some of our tips might even help you enjoy the festive period more!
If this sounds good to you, then head over to our YouTube channel @WeAreESS where you can catch up on our wellness webinar (youtube.com/watch?v=PyIAnbG3FqQ).
#christmas #healthychristmas #WeAreESS
Tis the season to be kind to your mind...
December and New Year are known to be wonderful but also difficult times of the year.
You might enjoy some parts of December and the festive season but maybe some parts fill you with dread. However you feel about it, it's important that we all look after our mental health this December, as well as looking out for our loved ones.
We hope these tips will help you to prioritise your mental health this December.
Head to the Mind website for more information around mental health, why Christmas is hard for so many and a list of useful contacts:
mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthatchristmas #newyearmentalhealth #WeAreESS
Do you have a Christmas jumper?
On Thursday 8 December, millions of people up and down the country will come together – at their workplace, school or with friends – to make the world better with a sweater.
This year will be TWICE as good as before. Every time you donate £2, the UK government has totally promised to give £2 to Save the Children too.
That means double the funds, double the fun! With all that extra cash, Save the Children has big plans to help mums and babies in Kenya.
You can sign up and find
out more on their website:
savethechildren.org.uk
#ChristmasJumperDay #Christmas #atimeforgiving #christmasjumper #WeAreESS #savethechildren
What exactly is Movember?
Movember isn’t just about moustaches. The Movember Foundation is a charity which aims to create awareness around men’s health.
They fund groundbreaking health projects across mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer – 1,250 projects so far.
To find out how you can help fundraise, donate or access information and support around men’s health, head to: uk.movember.com and checkout @movember
#movember #menshealth #weareess
Bullying affects millions of lives and can leave us feeling hopeless.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. If we challenge it, we can change it. And it starts by reaching out.
Whether it’s in school, work, at home, in the community or online, let’s reach out and show each other the support we need.
- Reach out to someone you trust if you need to talk.
- Reach out to someone you know (or suspect) is being bullied.
- Reach out and consider a new approach.
From teachers to parents and companies to politicians, we all have a responsibility to help each other reach out. Together, let’s be the change we want to see.
Reflect on our own behaviour, set positive examples and create kinder communities. It takes courage, but it can change lives. So, this Anti-Bullying Week, let’s come together and reach out to stop bullying.
Head to the @antibullyingalliance for more information and support.
#antibullyingweek #oddsocksday #reachout #weareess
Someone is diagnosed with diabetes every two minutes.
Will you help #RewriteTheStory?
Being diagnosed early is so important for all types of diabetes. It can save lives, prevent a medical emergency, and reduce the risk of life-changing complications later.
That’s why we want to make sure everyone knows the signs to look out for. Head to Diabetes.org.uk to find out more and follow @diabetesuk
#worlddiabetesday #diabetesawareness #weareess
A moment of silence at 11am...
Today, we unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from Britain and the Commonwealth.
There will be a two-minute silence observed across the UK at 11am on 11th November for Remembrance Day, so if you are able to, please observe the silence.
The Armistice, an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, began at 11am on 11 November 1918.
#remembranceday #armisticeday #WeAreESS
What is Odd Socks Day?
The day marks the start of Anti-Bullying Week. It’s an opportunity to encourage people to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique!
In 2021 over 5 million children, 1,000s of parents, 100s of workplaces and lots of celebrities and influencers got involved. Ant and Dec, Emma Willis, Brian May, Craig David, Sir Mo Farah and Annamarie were donning their odd socks! Don't miss out highlighting the important issue of bullying in such a fun way.
How to get involved this year: 1. Wear your own and ask your team to wear odd socks to work (even if it’s working from home!) 2. Donate £1 to help the Anti-Bullying Alliance carry on our important work: anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week/odd-socks-day 3. If you want to, you can share a photo online using #OddSocksDay and #AntiBullyingWeek and tag the Anti-Bullying Alliance
#WeAreESS
