Little things you can do every day to look after your mental health

Brought to you by Pieta House's Darkness Into Light supported by Electric Ireland.

They could make a big difference.

Looking after your mental health is extremely important. Think about it. We take vitamins, get flu jabs and try to exercise regularly to look after our physical health, so why not put as much effort into looking after our mental health? No matter who you are, or what your mental health history is, it's important that you take the time to look after your wellbeing. Which is why we have gathered together a list of 8 things you can do every day that will help your mental health in the long run. They might not fix everything but they will help make a difference. Practice meditation It might sound a bit naff but meditation is a great way to calm your mind after a stressful day. You don't have to make it complicated either. Simply set aside five minutes either first thing in the morning or last thing at night when you can just sit and think about your day. It couldn't be easier. Write it down Do you have a journal? Writing things down is a great way to get things off your chest even if you don't want to say them out loud. Writing down your thoughts before bedtime can help clear your head and allow you to analyse your emotions. Get outdoors Fresh air is a great way to clear your head and de-stress. Going for a nice brisk walk outside will help your body to release endorphins that will instantly lift your mood and help improve your mindset. Switch off If you find yourself feeling down after spending time on social media then it might be time for a digital detox. Instagram and Facebook are great but they don't necessarily represent reality. When you're looking at your favourite celeb or bloggers page remember you are only seeing their highlight reel not their whole lives. Get those zzzs Are you struggling to get those 8 hours? Not getting enough sleep can wreak havoc on both your physical and mental health. According to a recent study, a lack of sleep may alter your ability to process emotions and deal with them efficiently. Try setting a night time alarm that lets you know when you should be in bed. You'll feel much better once you are well-rested. Eat well Eating healthy and well-balanced meals can do wonders for your mental health. Feed your body with all the fruits, vegetables and goodness that it needs and you will reap the rewards. That doesn't mean that you can't have a takeaway every now and then, everything in moderation. Talk it out That old saying ''A problem shared is a problem solved'' couldn't be truer. Talking about your problems to a friend or relative is a great way to work through them and you never know who you could be inspiring with your story. Sometimes talking to a therapist or your local GP can also be a great help. This article is brought to you by Pieta House's Darkness Into Light supported by Electric Ireland. Darkness Into Light, supported by Electric Ireland, takes place in 120 venues across Ireland on Saturday, May 6th, at 4.15am. Darkness Into Light supports Pieta House's life-saving work, allowing them to continue to provide free therapeutic services to people in suicidal crisis, who are self-harming or have been bereaved by suicide. You can find out more about Darkness Into Light here.