This has definitely been a rather strange year without a doubt. You may find yourself wishing this year away so you can start next year with a clean slate and hope it will be better. You may be feeling low because you haven't been able to see family or friends much this year. You may be missing human connection or may be feeling stressed over finances and work or worrying about your health. Whatever is playing on your mind, you have the power to change how you feel and there's no need to wait.

We are not just physical beings, our mental health has a great effect on our physical bodies, as do our emotions and our sense of purpose or lack thereof. We are powerful creators and what we think about and how we feel, is what we attract more of. So watch your thoughts and feelings carefully. I believe a sense of purpose or believing in something greater than yourself is vital for your mental health. It's that thing that drives you and keeps you going when times get tough. It's what won't let you give up no matter how hard life gets.

When times are uncertain it is easy for worry to set in and consume us. We can quickly get caught up in possible scenarios that we worry will happen in the future. These are mostly 'what if's' and are hypothetical and most of the time they don't end up happening.

Negative thoughts can also take over and spiral quite quickly out of control. Seeing as we have around 60000 thoughts a day, this is something that you need to monitor and as soon as you feel thoughts repeating that don't make you feel good, stop, take a deep breath and choose a different and more positive thought. You are in control of your thoughts!

Here are some Self help tips that will help you with your Mental Well-being:

• When you wake up you are still in a relaxed state so it is a great time to meditate or practice gratitude so you start your day off well.

• Have a daily routine so you have some structure to your day.

• Focus on what you can control and let go of the rest. There's not much point worrying about something that you have no control over so instead focus on things that you can take action on.

• Set aside worry time once or twice a day for 15-20 minutes. During the day when you feel yourself worrying or feeling low about something, write it down and put it aside for worry time. Often when you come back to your worries at a later time, they don't seem so bad.

• Limit listening or watching the news as there is never usually anything positive and if you are struggling with your mental health, this can cause you to spiral downwards.

• Stay connected to friends and family and reach out to them via phone or skype or in person if possible. Talking to people makes such a difference to our mental state and I always find it makes me feel better. Our natural tendency though can be to withdraw inwards when we feel low so you need to try and do the opposite to help yourself feel better.

• Exercise or move your body in a way that feels good to you. You could put some music on and dance or go for a walk, do some yoga or an exercise routine. This will release Serotonin and Dopamine, which make us feel good and lifts our mood.

• Get into nature - I can't stress this one enough. This is the best way to improve your mental well-being, helps you to ground and be present and connects you with the beauty that surrounds you.

• Sunshine helps to release Serotonin, which makes us feel good, so when the sun is out get out into it and feel your mental state improve.

• Keep a journal where you can write about how you are feeling, you will be amazed at what can come out just by putting pen to paper. You can also write what you are grateful for every day.

• Get enough Sleep and try and get to bed before 22h00. Our mental state is usually a lot better when we are well rested and our body has had time to repair and heal.

• Deep breathing helps to centre and bring you back to the present. Whenever you feel like your mood has dropped, take a few deep breaths, pausing in-between and exhaling out your mouth to let go of any stress or worry.

• Do more of what brings you joy as you can't feel happy and good and worry at the same time.

You are not alone, we all go through times of feeling flat and low, like our spark has disappeared. There will be days where you would rather curl up with a good book and stay in bed for the day and shut the world out. On those days, be gentle with yourself and listen to what your inner voice is telling you you need.

What one thing will you try today to make you feel good?

With love,