Five Ways to Wellbeing and Mental Health Week with Active Lambeth

The message for Mental Health Awareness Week from 13 to 19 May is ‘Move more for mental health’.

Throughout the week, Active Lambeth Leisure Centers will be running free activities for Lambeth residents to get moving and boost their mental wellbeing.

Based on the Five Ways of Wellbeing, try these tips to boost your mental health and find out more about the exciting range of Active Lambeth opportunities to try.

1: Be active

Exercise activates the decision-making and emotion areas of the brain. Just 15 minutes a day can boost your mood and make you feel better.

Exercise can be scary, especially if you’re not used to it. So we have fun ways to make it more appealing. Join Active Lambeth’s fitness challenges, try climbing walls, assault courses and family zones, splash pool and more for everyone from children to older adults.

2: Log in

Feeling connected to other people helps us thrive as part of a group. It’s a great way to remind ourselves that we are important and valued.

We help people socialize with quizzes for over 60s Leisure Center karaoke rooms as singing together is great for wellbeing and a performance by the Black Men’s Consortium at Brixton Rec.

3: Keep learning

Knowing that you are learning and developing can boost your self-esteem, and setting goals can help you feel more productive and in control of your life.

Maybe you haven’t found the right activity to exercise yet? That’s why Lambeth Leisure Centers encourages people to try new things like Pickleball.

They also offer free mental health awareness classes – learning to spot the signs someone might need help, how to start that conversation and help them find the right support.

4: Yes

Anything from a friendly chat with the bus driver in the morning to helping a friend or volunteering in the community also boosts your own mood.

Volunteering can lead to new skills, work experience and feeling part of something with a purpose in life. Learn more at Volunteer | Lambeth Council.

5: Consider

Being aware of how you feel can help you understand what triggers your stress or anxiety. And there’s evidence that enjoying “the moment” makes you more positive about life.

Lambeth leisure centers will support mindfulness with discounts on massages, yoga and pilates classes, online or in the comfort of your own home. There will be classes suitable for all ages.

Take part in Mental Health Week at Active Lambeth’s Leisure Centres

You do not need to be a monthly paying member of a Lambeth leisure center to take part in these Mental Health Week activities.

See the full timetable and book online here.

More information

• Mental health is a Lambeth Together priority. We will help more people maintain positive behaviors that support their mental well-being and keep them healthy. Learn more on our Staying Healthy Program pages.
• Lambeth’s Living Well Network Alliance supports people experiencing mental illness or distress. Learn more and find out where to get help.

(This article first appeared on Love Lambeth and is reproduced here for informational purposes)