MHAW: Wednesday - Take Notice

The benefits of taking notice

Taking notice is a step towards reducing worry and strengthening our self-awareness. By focusing too much on past events and worrying about the future it can have a negative impact on our mental health and wellbeing.  Instead, remembering the simple things that give you joy and being grateful for what you have can do wonders for your mental health.  Just the simple act of savouring the simplest of moments during your day can help relieve stress and help you to appreciate the things that matter the most. 

Increasing the opportunity to take notice

Being present and taking notice of the world around us can be something that we do during our everyday life.  The key to taking notice is to be aware of what you’re doing and trying to engage with it.  Whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends.  Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Here are some ideas to help you think about what it means to take notice. 

Ideas for how you can take notice

• Learn to practice mindfulness.
• Learn yoga, Tai Chi or meditation.
• Go and sit down somewhere busy like a shopping mall or busy high street and notice the interactions between people.
• Try out gardening or create a green space in your home.  If you don't have a lot of space, try planting things in pots that you can position where you do have room.  
• Start a gratitude journal.
• Go stargazing or cloud watching.  See what shapes you can see or if you notice anything moving!
• Head outside during a break and find a piece of grass or green space to just spend some time thinking about some of the things that have happened recently that you are most thankful for.
• Go for a bush walk and spend time looking at everything you can see.  Look at the trees up close.  See what you can see living in or on them.  And listen to the variety of different birds you are likely to hear.

Find out more..

Did you know that there are many articles on mindfulness and mental health and wellbeing in the Accuro Health Hub?

HealthHub is our free wellbeing programme for all Accuro members, their friends and families. In fact, we are the only health insurer to offer a free programme to our membership.

HealthHub has recipes, activities, articles, special offers and more to support you to stay healthy and well.

Find out more and register here.