Mental Health Awareness: How to spread kindness this week and beyond

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK from 18 to 24 May. And while mental health is something many of us deal with on a daily basis - whether it's with ourselves or our loved ones - this week is one where we can really raise awareness, have real conversations and destigmatise the concerns that many of us face on a daily basis: stress, anxiety, depression – even body image issues.

It’s a time to pause, reflect and most of all, be kind. To others but also to ourselves.

This year’s theme is kindness, and for us it’s one of the most important ones. In unsteady times where things are constantly changing and the future is largely unknown, kindness is one thing that’s really prevailed. We’ve seen the community really stepping up to do what they can to help others.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, in kindness there is community, support and hope. It has a positive impact on our mental and emotional wellbeing. It can boost mental health, lower stress and anxiety and improve our mood.

So, how can you get involved and be kind to yourself and others this week?  

It’s important to talk about mental health. It helps others understand and destigmatises an issue many people tended to pretend didn’t exist. Today, there is a sense of pride in speaking out. In not letting mental health define you, but also sharing your story to inspire others that may be struggling too.

Join the conversation with CBII on social media by posting a photo or video and using the hashtag #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealth AwarenessWeek.

Kindness begins at home. There are so many ways you can be kind to others on a day-to-day basis. It won’t take much from you, but it could mean everything to somebody else:

• Call a friend or lonely family member you haven’t spoken to in a while
• Tell your friends and family that you love and appreciate them
• Smile at a stranger
• Help with a household chore
• Make a cup of tea for someone you live with
• A hug when someone needs it most

How can you help? Is there something you can do to help someone who may be struggling? Try and tick off one good deed every day, such as:

• Offering to do a neighbour’s grocery shopping
• Volunteering to walk a neighbour’s dog
• Donating to a food bank or charity
• Fundraising for the Mental Health Foundation – with a virtual pub quiz, Facebook fundraisers, and more.

Remember that this week is about caring for yourself too. Take the time to focus on your own mental health and the most important relationship you have – the one you have with yourself. Say no if you need to. Take time for yourself. Do the things that make YOU feel good.

• Get enough sleep – a good night’s sleep plays a huge role in our mood and overall wellbeing
• Look after your physical health – eat well, get enough exercise and nourish your body by taking your CBD consistently
• Watch your internal dialogue – are you being too harsh on yourself? How do you speak to yourself? Make sure it's positive
• Don’t set too high of a standard for yourself and don’t beat yourself up for making mistakes
• Take time for yourself by taking a long bath or reading a book – here are our CBII team’s lockdown book suggestions
• Take a digital detox – turn your phone off and log out of social media – too much time online can affect our sleep patterns and mental health

What other ways are you being kind this Mental Health Awareness Week? Tag @CBII_CBD on Instagram and let's share the love!