How to help Yourself

There is a range of things that you can do to help improve your mental wellbeing. Steps can be simple and tailored to your own ability -

Connect with other people
Spend time with friends or family, have lunch with a colleague, volunteer at your local school or hospital, use technology like FaceTime to keep in contact with friends far away.

Be physically active
Activities can be tailored to your own needs and abilities.

Learn new skills
Try a new hobby, take an evening class or an online course in something new, work on a DIY project, try to cook something new. To master a new skill can give you a positive self-boost.

Give to others
Say thank you to someone, spend time with friends or family who need support, offer to help someone with something you are skilled in.

Pay attention to the present moment
Pause and consider how you are feeling and what is going on around you. There are lots of apps available to help you practice mindfulness regularly.

Try to appreciate the small things
Take some time at the end of the day to write down 5 things you are grateful for, or you can write down 3 things that made you happy/made you feel good/made you smile during the day. Ending the day on a positive note, despite your challenges, will make it easier to get up the next day, and hopefully over time make you more aware to be in the present time and learn to see and celebrate the small things, the small victories during the day and appreciate the small moments that will eventually make the biggest impact.

Ask for professional help if needed
Ask your GP for a referral or your cardiologist, and do not be afraid to use your local mental health call lines in your country (if you have any). Become an active member in your CHD community and organisation, they might be able to give you more help and advice and talking to someone in the same situation as yourself can give a sense of connection and belonging.