If part of the appeal of sites and magazines such as StyleNest is a better, more rewarding lifestyle, there are few things as fundamental to our quality of life as our health.

Mercifully, it is increasingly understood that mental health is an integral part of our overall health, and should be treated as such. That doesn’t yet mean that the stigma of mental health is completely a thing of the past, but individual and collective efforts to improve our lives and those around us are not simply laudable but vital.

Mental Health Awareness Week sheds valuable light upon a topic which has previously been unnecessarily taboo, and further highlights both the need for a sustained, constructive dialogue, and the inherent value of taking time to improve our mental health. This year the focus upon the profound benefits of mindfulness is a resonant, significant dialogue we can all engage in.

My own adoption of a (sometimes faltering) mindfulness practice is an integral part of my week, and the benefits are both scientifically established and personally felt by those who choose to try it. Save for improving stress and mental health generally, mindfulness can equip us to deal with any manner of circumstances, helping us to lead more rewarding lives. 

I fully appreciate the nuanced, highly personal experience of mental health issues, and would not trivialise any journey through depression, addiction or any other profound challenges a large percentage of the population face.

One in four of us will be affected by mental health in our lifetimes, so ways to find help and support are vital all year round; if this week can serve as a catalyst to make our lives happier and more fulfilled so much the better.

Mental Health Awareness Week, MAY 11th- 17th

www.mentalhealth.org.uk, bemindful.co.uk, www.mentalhealth.org.uk, www.nhs.uk, www.amazon.co.uk, www.headspace.com