Healthy mind

Fear is a natural human emotion, and it is something that everyone experiences in their lifetime. What matters most is how you fight your fears, and whether you let them affect your life.

Pregnancy and new parenthood are full of emotions – some good and some not so good. Just remember, you are not alone and there are lots of places to get support for your mental health.

Children and young people may find it difficult to open up about their problems. These tips can help you to find someone to talk to about your feelings and worries.

Asking for help when you first suspect you have an alcohol or drug problem is important. If you think you have an addiction, speak to your local doctor or phone DirectLine.

Anxiety disorders are common mental health problems that affect many people.

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing and can happen to anybody.

The most important thing is to recognise the signs and symptoms and seek support.

Eating disorders are a mental illness and can affect people of all gender, ages, cultures and body sizes.

Fatigue is a feeling of constant tiredness or lack of energy. Causes include illness, health conditions, psychological and lifestyle factors. Find out more about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Fear is a natural human emotion, and it is something that everyone experiences in their lifetime. What matters most is how you fight your fears, and whether you let them affect your life.

Postnatal depression can happen either a few days or weeks after the birth, with a slow or sudden onset.

Research shows that people who exercise regularly have better mental health and emotional wellbeing, and lower rates of mental illness.

What we eat affects our physical health and our mood and mental wellbeing.

Sadness is a feeling that everyone experiences. It is part of life. We can respond to our sadness in ways that help us feel better.

Most people know when they are feeling ‘in a mood’. But do you know what ‘mood’ means? Or where your mood comes from? Or how to change your mood? Understanding your moods may help you work out what causes them and how you tend to behave when you are in different moods.

Getting enough sleep is vital. Long term sleep deficiency can affect your mood. You can improve your sleep quality.

Children and young people may find it difficult to open up about their problems. These tips can help you to find someone to talk to about your feelings and worries.

Talking with a doctor or healthcare professional about your mental health issues will help you to feel comfortable and get the most appropriate treatment for your needs.

Parents can help with bullying by supporting their child and involving the authorities to find solutions.

The expense of gifts and food, the pressure of shopping, and the expectations of the season can make Christmas an extremely stressful time.

Researchers believe that many of the supposed age-related changes affecting the mind, such as memory loss, are actually lifestyle related.

Reach out to the world around you for fun, a sense of achievement, social contact and mental stimulation.

Holidays are supposed to offer relaxation and recuperation, but some people find them disappointingly stressful.

Pregnancy and new parenthood are full of emotions – some good and some not so good. Just remember, you are not alone and there are lots of places to get support for your mental health.

Having friends and other social connections is good for your health and wellbeing.

Work-related stress causes an increase in sick days and absenteeism, a higher turnover of staff and a drop in productivity.

It is helpful to imagine assertiveness as the middle ground between aggression and passivity.

Worrying can be constructive if it helps you to work out possible solutions to a problem, but some people are troubled by excessive anxiety.

Sadness is a feeling that everyone experiences. It is part of life. We can respond to our sadness in ways that help us feel better.

Negative emotions can dampen our enthusiasm for life, depending on how long we let them affect us.

Farming life and work can be hectic and stressful.

Financial hardship can increase the risk of workplace accidents on a farm.

Low self-esteem can be remedied but it takes attention and daily practice.

Self-harm and self-injury is when people hurt themselves on purpose, usually in response to intense emotional pain or negative feelings, thoughts or memories.

Stress affects people in different ways, but a balanced lifestyle can help you manage everyday stress.

Stress can affect your health and your life, so you need to know effective ways of dealing with your stress.

Having friends and other social connections is good for your health and wellbeing.

Children and young people may find it difficult to open up about their problems. These tips can help you to find someone to talk to about your feelings and worries.

The quality of our personal relationships, not the size of our bank balance, has the greatest effect on our wellbeing.

Well-managed anger can be a useful emotion that motivates you to make positive changes.

There are many people you can talk to who can help you overcome feelings of wanting to lash out.

Your body image is how you think and feel about your body. Although traditionally thought of as a women's health concern, body image issues can affect men and people of all ages and genders.

The urge to diet or engage in other behaviours to change your size, shape or weight is almost always prompted by feeling dissatisfied with your body.

Give your child opportunities to appreciate their body for what it can do, rather than what it looks like.

A negative body image increases the risk of engaging in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, such as dieting or restrictive eating, overexercising and other disordered eating or weight control behaviours.

It is normal to disagree with each other from time to time and occasional conflict is part of family life.

Boys’ bodies come in all shapes and sizes. As you get older and go through puberty, you will become more aware of your body and how it compares with others.

Puberty is a time when your body goes through lots of changes. For girls, puberty usually starts between the ages of 8 and 13, and lasts a few years.

Peer groups can be a very positive influence on your teenager's life.

Having friends and other social connections is good for your health and wellbeing.

The Alexander technique stresses that movement should be economical and needs only the minimum amount of energy and effort.

The different smells and chemical constituents of aromatherapy oils can produce different emotional and physiological reactions.

Many people use controlled breathing to help promote relaxation and reduce the effects of stress.

Fear is a natural human emotion, and it is something that everyone experiences in their lifetime. What matters most is how you fight your fears, and whether you let them affect your life.

Meditation techniques can promote a sense of calm and heightened awareness.

Pilates is a safe and effective method of rehabilitation and exercise that focuses on muscular balance, improves strength and flexibility.

Pregnancy and new parenthood are full of emotions – some good and some not so good. Just remember, you are not alone and there are lots of places to get support for your mental health.

The health benefits of regular yoga practice may include lowering blood pressure, improved posture and circulation, and a sense of wellbeing.