Improving a mental health slump starts with you, and it’s recognising that you need to do something about it, which is the first step in the right direction to getting out of a slump. As we are emerging into spring at the very end of the long winter, a lot of people are extremely fed up with the seasonal depression and are dying for a bit of warmth and sun, so we are all currently sitting at the edge of our seats waiting for the British summer to finally arrive.
Despite living in an area with unreliable and mostly cold weather, it’s important not to let it rule your mental health and to look beyond to pull you out of those slumps, whether they are personal or weather-related.
If you are currently looking for inspiration to get yourself out of a slump here in Essex, we’ve got some ideas, both activity and home-based.
Epping Forest
A walk is always good for both the body and mind, but as the flowers are beginning to bloom and the leaves are slowly starting to return in March and April, it’s the perfect time to watch the seasons change at Epping Forest. You can also cop a squat and enjoy a relaxed few moments, and even people and dog watch to avoid screens and mindless scrolling.
For a longer and much quieter walk, you could opt for Langon Natural Discovery Park or RSPB Rainham Marshes for better views. As we are getting to that time where we’re seeing double digits in the weather, 10+ degrees, it’s the perfect time for these kinds of walks and hikes.
Yoga in Chelmsford
There are community yoga classes in Chelmsford if you aren’t interested in gym classes or paying for independent classes, which I don’t blame you for, as they can be rather expensive per session, which personally will add to my mental health slump. The community class also hosts outdoor yoga sessions at Hylands Park during the summer, so if you start now, you might feel a real mental and physical benefit, ready to show off outdoors.
Yoga is not only physically healthy but is also linked to spiritual and mental wellness. It’s a great low-impact movement that is suitable for all ages, which makes it the perfect solution to physical wellness if you aren’t fond of the gym, weight training, or running.
There is also free Tai Chi in Harlow Park during the summer months if you want to do something new, meet some like-minded people, without having to spend a penny.
Art and Community Across Essex
The Chelmsford Art Place offers a safe space for individuals to start their artistic therapy journey, and the best part is that you can be a beginner; there is no skill requirement to come and enjoy yourself.
If art isn’t necessarily your thing, there is a gardening community that welcomes new people in Southend, Rochford and Basildon called Trust Links Growing Together gardens. This is a way to not only improve on your green thumb but also socialise with others.
Wellbeing Programmes
If you find yourself struggling to get out of the slump despite trying everything, then there are support programmes you can join to help you beyond surface-level struggles. There is the Mid Essex Recovery College, which offers free in-person and online courses to help with overall positive thinking and creativity.
Anxiety Society in Southend is a peer support group where you can go and talk about coping strategies and break down the barriers that keep people within the bounds of their anxiety prison. There are several other options for wellbeing programmes in Essex.
Essex Culture
Sometimes we lose appreciation for what we see and experience all the time, and as the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Sometimes it makes you wonder, is that why we can’t just re learn how to fall in love with our routine and local area all over again?
A simple way to help you get yourself out of a rut is just doing the things you already enjoy here and having a newfound appreciation for it, whether it’s travelling to Romford Liberty shopping centre, Colchester Zoo, Southend on Sea or simply spending time in the main town centre.
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