Your weekly dose of mental sunshine...

Are you feeling energised today?

One thing I do to feel more energised is to go out for a walk, which is this weeks simple mental sunshine tip...

I don’t mean walking for a specific purpose like going to the shop on your lunch break or wandering around the supermarket on your way home from work.

I mean going for a walk just for the sake of it!

Going for a walk can have a really positive effect on your mood and can pass on to those around you.

It doesn’t need to be a long walk, and you don’t even really need to be in nature - though of course, that can help.

Going for a walk without a destination in mind can be really good for your mental health. If you’re struggling with anxiety, going for a walk can help to calm your mind so that your thoughts slow down. It can also help if you’re feeling agitated and jittery.

Widening your gaze so that you’re not just staring at a screen can be a great way to break up your day too and give your mind a break.

And when you are out on your walk, take a look at the world around you;

Try to notice something you’ve not spotted before.

If you’re in the middle of town, look up and notice the buildings - they often have decorations and details you’ve not noticed all the other times you’ve rushed past!

If you are outdoors in a park or a forest look down at the detail in the flora and fauna.

If you are by water, spot the reflections and ripples caused bu the wind.

And when you see something that catches your eye, stop and have a really good look at it.

Look at it from different angles and perspectives.

Notice the shapes and colours and the way the light falls on it

If something has really caught your eye, pull out your camera phone and take a photo of it

This way you can look back and have a visual representation to remember how you felt at that specific moment in time - Almost like anchoring your thoughts.

Swan Lake - There were more than just ripples and reflections on the water when I took this photo whilst our on a recent walk...

You can always share your photo - I'd love to see them You can also post them, along with your thoughts, in our A photo a day for wellness community which is all about sharing positive thoughts and energy through photography

Creating more positive energy...

I would love to hear what else makes you feel energised?

And, if you would like to pass on this message of mental sunshine to a friend, please click here.

Next week I'll be letting you know about my favourite greeting.

Until then