It’s easy to focus on everyone around you and give yourself little, or no compassion. We urge you to practice positive self-talk. This can be done by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else.

Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. Below, you will find 6 other ways of showing yourself care and compassion all the time:

Get your 40 winks

Sleep is really important for our physical and mental health. Sleep helps to regulate the chemicals in our brain that transmit information. These chemicals are important in managing our moods and emotions.

Nourish your body

Eating well isn't just important for our bodies, it's also important for our minds. Certain mineral deficiencies, such as iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies, can give us a low mood. Make sure you are eating foods containing these minerals. Foods that are high iron include dark leafy vegetables such as spinach, beans, lentils, fish, and chicken.

Fun in the sun

Vitamin D is really important for our bodies and our brains. It helps our brains to release chemicals that can improve our overall mood. Try to go out in the sun when you can, but make sure you keep your skin and eyes safe. 30 minutes to two hours a day of sunlight is ideal. During the winter, some people become depressed because they aren't getting enough sunlight - this is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Eliminate stress

Stress is often unavoidable, but knowing what triggers your stress and knowing how to cope is key in maintaining good mental health. Making lists and schedules can help balance your responsibilities. When you write down stresses or worries sometimes they become more manageable, which you can approach logically. If you find you are having trouble sleeping, or are waking up thinking about all of the things that are stressing you out, write them down and reassure yourself that you can deal with them in the morning.

Move every day

Getting your body moving is vital. Being active not only gives you a sense of achievement, but it boosts the chemicals in your brain that help put you in a good mood, and help you sleep better. Exercising can help eliminate low mood, anxiety, stress, and feeling tired and lazy.

Keep connected

Make an effort to maintain good relationships and talk to people whenever you get the chance, whether this is digitally or at a safe distance. Having friends is important not just for your self-esteem, but also for providing support when you're not feeling too great. We humans are social beings by nature!