Mental Health Awareness Month

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

This May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the theme for this year is ‘Movement’. Here at Daniella Draper, we understand the importance of Movement in our day-to-day life, and the positive impact it can have upon our Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing.

Therefore, throughout the month of May we will be donating 5% of the sales from all of our Smiley Face Cord Bracelets to The Mental Health Foundation in support of their ongoing endeavours.

We designed our Smiley Face charm to make someone smile; they make the perfect gift, from you-to-you or to someone special.

Throughout this month, we have also been reflecting on the ways in which we use Movement to better our Mental Health. Here are some of our team's personal favourites:

Cold Water Swimming has many benefits that can relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. To participate, all you need to do is head to the beach or somewhere local to you, that has cold water, and hop in! Please follow guidance to ensure safety when Cold Water Swimming, available here. If you are looking for an inspirational read, we also recommend The Wim Hof Method.

Running is another great activity which involves movement. Running has many benefits; including reducing stress, improving joint health, and it is completely free! Grab a pair of trainers and step outside; run at your own pace and ensure you take regular breaks where you feel you may need them. Aside from
the health benefits, it also gives you the chance to enjoy the nature just outside your front door. If you are just starting out on your running journey, Couch to 5K is a great place to start!

Yoga is another amazing form of movement which can be done from the comfort of your own home. Some of the benefits of yoga include; stress relief, increased flexibility, improved sleep, increased relaxation and reduced back pain. If you would like to give yoga a try, there are plenty of helpful articles online. Our friends at Stride and Edge Yoga also offer informative videos on YouTube!

A MESSAGE FROM HOLLY

‘It is often challenging for some of us to even get out of
bed, let alone go for a run. Personally, I find celebrating the small victories, like putting on my gym gear, to be helpful. Starting with a stretch is another small step forward. Some days, that is all the movement I can manage, but it is still progress. Incremental steps without pressure can lead to a great sense of achievement.

For me, movement is healing, even if it is just a walk. Running, in particular, makes me feel incredible. I shared this reel as an example of what we can do at home, using free resources. It is all about taking small, manageable steps without feeling overwhelmed.

There’s a book called Atomic Habits that discusses the power of improving by just 1% each day. Simply putting on gym clothes is a step in the right direction. Progress often involves taking small steps towards our goals'.