For Veterans and others struggling through the winter months

Make a self-referral to Oxfordshire Talking Therapies at NHS Oxfordshire Talking Therapies – for anxiety and depressionNHS Oxfordshire Talking Therapies. You could also try these 5 wellbeing tips:

1. Connect – connecting with others can help us feel valued for who we are. This could mean exchanging words with someone at the gym or supermarket or sending a message to someone you haven’t spoken to for a while.
2. Move – physical activity can make a real difference to our mental health. Even small changes such as going for a short walk or doing some squats or stretches can make a big difference. You could see what at home activities you can find on YouTube or go to Physical Activity and Mental Wellbeing — Oxfordshire Mind for more inspiration.
3. Notice – bringing more awareness to each day can help us be less caught up in our own thoughts. Try keeping a logbook of how you’re feeling so you can understand what triggers your stress, anxiety or low mood, or recording one small positive thing each day. To help be more aware of your surroundings you might find our previous post helpful For veterans, fireworks can be a trigger; here are some techniques you can use. – NHS Oxfordshire Talking Therapies .
4. Learn – learning new things can give us a sense of hope and inner strength. You could look try looking for podcasts or videos about a topic you’re interested in or sign up for a class with Oxfordshire Recovery College – Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership | Oxfordshire MarketPlace.
5. Give – helping others, even in small ways, can bring a sense of camaraderie. Try making a cup of tea a team mate or colleague or sign up for an event to help raise funds for the Armed Forces community at Challenge Events | SSAFA.