i for Identity: A photo essay
Qezz breaks down her experiences through her black and white film series
Five Ways To Wellbeing
This week, Bristol marks Mental Health Awareness Week with Five Days of Wellbeing. The week will raise awareness about the little things that we can do every day to improve our mental and emotional health.
The Five Days will be based around the principles that connecting, being active, taking notice, learning and giving can help us all get more out of life. Activities will be taking place across the city, and a range of Bristol organisations are offering a variety of different experiences open to everyone – and encourage conversation about mental wellbeing.
This is a run down of not only the events programmed specifically for Mental Health Awareness Week, but looking at other opportunities of things to get involved in and places that offer support in improving your mental and emotional wellbeing.
While we are all aware the five portions of fruit and veg a day help us stay physically healthy, we are less aware of what makes us stay emotionally healthy. So, here are the 5 positive steps to improving our mental wellbeing…
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1. Connect…
Connect with the people around you. At home, work, school or out in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones in your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
What’s On in Bristol:
- Plant Some Sunshine Event on Monday 8th May
- Talk openly and express yourself at Girl Talk
Get support in Bristol:
- Off The Record offer free counselling to under 25s
Rife Magazine content:
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2. Be Active…
Go for a walk at lunch time or a run in the evening. Do some stretching in your bedroom. Get outside. Cycle. Kick a ball around. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity that you enjoy and is suitable for you.
What’s On in Bristol:
- Join the Walkfest Mindfulness Walk
- Practice a variety of sports every Thursday at Station Street Sports
- Improve your health every Wednesday at Food and Fitness
Get support in Bristol:
- Empire Fighting Chance helps young people become champions in the ring and champions in life.
Read more:
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3. Take Notice…
Be curious. Take notice of the world around you. Remark on the unusual. Notice how the clouds look. Savour moments, appreciate their greatness – whether it’s walking home or chatting to friends. Be aware of what’s going on around you and how you are feeling. Reflect on your experiences and be appreciative of the good things.
What’s On in Bristol:
- Discover treasure in the Blaise Castle Treasure Hunt
- Join the Prince’s Trust 1 week Art Programme Get Started With Art
Read more:
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4. Keep Learning…
Learn about things you care about. Try something completely new. Rediscover an old interest. Learn to cook your favourite food or fix your bike. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you feel more confident as well as being fun.
What’s On in Bristol:
- Get creative and Make Art Stuff at Inspiration Works
- Make It Jewellery Course at KWMC
- Apply for this Talent Development Day for aspiring film critics
- Drop into The Bike Project after school on Friday’s
Read more:
5. Give…
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Seeing your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.
What’s On in Bristol:
- Find volunteering opportuinities for 14-25 year olds at V Inspired
- Live somewhere new and tackle challenges through volunteer projects at Volunteer Matters
- Volunterr at film festivals Cinema Rediscovered and Encounters
- Give & Get event with a skills swap
Read more:
Mental Health Awareness Week is a campaign between Bristol City Council, Bluebell, Bristol Mental Health, Bristol CCG, Bristol City Council, Bristol Library, CASS, Missing Link, Public Health (bristol CC), St Mungo’s, Wellbeans and Helpfulpeeps.
Remember, if you need someone to talk to about whatever is getting to you, you can always call Samaritans. Check out the Rife Guide for more places that offer help and support, events and opportunities in Bristol.
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About the author
Holly Muse
Making the great journey from the North-East to the South-West, Holly studied at UWE and instantly fell in love with the weird and wonderful Bristol. Recently part of Watershed’s 2015 Future Producers cohort, she upped her game and recently became coordinator of Rife Guide. Holly is pro at planning unrealistic travelling trips, exploring Bristol’s green spaces and trying out every Italian in the city. This post is made possible by the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries
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