Having positive mental health helps us relax, achieve and live our best life, writes Su Turner.

Stress is the body’s natural reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure.

We have evolved to cope with acute stress, but the current situation is resulting in chronic stress affecting an increasingly large number of people.

Too much stress is linked to almost all anxiety disorders, and can have significant short, medium and long term effects on both, our physical and mental health.

82% of UK adults have experienced stress directly related to the coronavirus pandemic. (Mental Health Foundation October 2020).

But all is not lost, there are things you can do to help both you and your colleagues cope during these challenging times.

Research from the Mental Health Foundation and collaborating universities, reveals how UK adults are managing stress during the pandemic.

59% of UK adults stated that walking helped, with 50% of respondents citing visiting green spaces as being beneficial.

Being in phone and video contact with family and friends has had a positive impact on coping for 46%.

The survey also found other sources of resilience including, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, sleeping well, eating healthily, and doing a hobby such as painting or photography.

(All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4,251 UK adults 18+. Fieldwork was undertaken between 26th – 28th August 2020.)

At Ouch, we have seen an increase in the number of companies and individuals who have been accessing our live online Mental Health First Aid England training courses.

We believe this demonstrates how businesses are becoming more aware of the importance of employee mental health.

Our live-online delivery method, utilises MHFA England’s excellent learning platform to blend independent study with the opportunity to discuss and explore topics with other delegates and our experienced Ouch trainer.

For further information on how we may be able to help your organisation, please get in touch.

ouchtraining.co.uk

Office@ouchtt.co.uk

01202 880999