We all know that looking after our mental health is important, but sometimes thinking about long-term wellbeing can feel overwhelming, especially if we’re feeling low or stressed right now.
But there are small, immediate steps—things we can do this very minute—that can gently shift our mood, reduce a little bit of stress, and give us a better sense of calm. We don’t need to plan a huge change or wait until next week; we can start right away.
We believe that by sharing simple, reliable strategies, we can help each other through those tough moments. Here are some quick, immediate actions recommended by our Experts by Experience that can give a little lift today.
Comfort, Sound, and Sensation: Changing the Moment
When our mind is racing, our body often feels tight and tense. Focusing on a quick, calming sensation can interrupt that stress loop.
Take a Deep Breath to Manage the Pressure. Stop whatever you’re doing and take five slow, deliberate breaths. Breathe in for a count of four, hold for one, and breathe out for a count of six. It’s simple, but it helps us to relax and slow down.
Pour Yourself a Cup of Tea. The action of making a tea or coffee, holding the warm mug, and focusing on the steam rising is a small, mindful break. Give yourself just five minutes to sit and properly enjoy it.
Listen to Music. Put on a song you love, or one that’s calming, and really listen to it. Don’t scroll or multitask. If you’re alone in the car or at home, why not try singing along?
Dance Like No One is Watching: Pull the curtains, put on some music, and move your body to the rhythm. Whether stood up, sat down, or even lying down, you can dance if you want to. Music and movement reduces stress and anxiety and boosts our mood through endorphin release.
Think Well – Feel Well. Sometimes, the quickest change we can make is simply challenging the negative thoughts that pop into our heads. Stop, acknowledge it, and then try to find a more balanced perspective. Don’t stress about this—sometimes we can’t challenge those bleak thoughts, they feel too strong, but even just reminding ourselves that recovery is possible can make a difference. The NHS has some simple guidelines and advice about reframing our thinking.
Quick Connection: Reaching Out
Feeling isolated makes everything harder. Reaching out right now, even in a small way, can remind us that we aren’t alone. Phone a Trusted Person. Don’t overthink it; just call. Talking things through can be very helpful.
Remember: Mindline Somerset Is Always Ready to Listen. It doesn’t need to be a crisis. If you just need to talk through what you’re feeling or reflect on your day, the Mindline Somerset team is there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can ring them right now on 01823 276892 or freephone 0800 138 1692.
Talk to a Friend or Family Member. If they are supportive, and you have a good relationship, pick up the phone and talk to your sister, brother, mum, or trusted friend—whoever you feel comfortable with. Sometimes just hearing a familiar voice helps ground us.
Make Someone Else Smile. It sounds counterintuitive, but focusing on making someone else a little bit happier can boost our own mood. Text a joke, offer a genuine compliment to a colleague, or let someone cut ahead of you in a queue. It’s a quick win for our wellbeing.
Getting the Help We Need
Some problems are too big for a deep breath or a cup of tea, and that’s when we need professional support. Taking the decisive action to reach out is often the biggest step we can take right now.
By calling Mindline Somerset on the numbers given above, you can gain a listening ear and access the whole range of Open Mental Health support services. Just ask the Mindline call handler to refer you to OMH. They will take your details and give you a warm introduction so your local team can offer support. We have teams in Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset, and Taunton & West Somerset.
Arrange a Crisis Safe Space Appointment. If things feel overwhelming, call Mindline to book an appointment with Crisis Safe Space. Support is available for anyone who feels like they are really struggling with their mental health. [link to new CSS video].
Call Your GP. It can feel very difficult to pick up the phone and book a GP appointment, but doing that one thing—that single, immediate action—is a powerful step towards getting the help you deserve.
Start Today, Right Now
We’ve put together a Wellbeing Kit [link] packed with more tips like these, along with essential resources. It includes a Wellbeing Wheel to help track and understand our emotions and gives advice on accessing both immediate support and longer-term help.
We all have dark times when we struggle. Let’s choose one small thing from this list and do it right now to make our day just a little bit better.
What will you choose to do first?