mental health awareness week

This image symbolises what Mental Health Foundation Mental Health Awareness Week has meant to me this year.

Like many, I’ve had a lot on my mind this week. I’ve had a busy week at Defra towards publication of a big report that will be laid in Parliament in July. Preparations for the well-being village I’m organising at Keynsham Music Festival are in full swing. I’ve also felt anxious about whether the car would pass its MOT re-test 😬

A lot of what I’ve been worrying about are future events. What’s brought me back to the moment have been a few things. My Yoga for Men classes with Talk Club and Caroline Girvan workouts have allowed me to see the light by having a fresh perspective through moving my body, sharing scores out of 10 and holding onto precious moments of gratitude 🙏

More than anything though it’s been this sunflower. It’s one of a few we have on our kitchen windowsill. I’ve been fascinated by how much it’s grown since planting last week – lost in the moment of how tall it will be and how brightly it will shine by the height of summer 🌻

When I shared this photo at work asking others what interests they turned to when feeling anxious. the replies were many and varied. It made me appreciate that what works for one may not work for another. Most importantly, when we occupy our mind with whatever interests us, we flood our bodies with positive thoughts and feelings. We give ourselves permission to see life through a different lens, and grow from it as a result.