This World Mental Health Day, Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) is encouraging people to reflect on the things they may be carrying that no longer serve them and to recognise that letting go can be an important act of self-care.

Many of us carry more than we realise. It might be an old mistake we replay in our minds, feelings of guilt, unrealistic expectations, the pressure to always be productive, or the habit of comparing ourselves to others.

While some challenges can help us grow, others can quietly weigh on our wellbeing and make it harder to focus on the present.

Letting go does not mean giving up. It does not mean ignoring problems or pretending challenges do not exist. Instead, it can mean accepting that some things are beyond our control and choosing to focus our energy on what truly matters.

For some people, letting go might mean:

• Letting go of perfectionism.
• Letting go of self-criticism.
• Letting go of unrealistic expectations.
• Letting go of comparing your journey to someone else's.
• Letting go of the belief that you must cope with everything alone.

Simple steps you can take

There are small, practical ways to start letting go and prioritising your wellbeing:

• Be kind to yourself and challenge negative self-talk.
• Focus on what you can control rather than what you can't.
• Take regular breaks and make time for activities you enjoy.
• Talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling.
• Celebrate small achievements instead of striving for perfection.

Ceri McCrory, CBT Therapist and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapist, said:

"World Mental Health Day is not about becoming a different person. It is an opportunity to pause, reflect and consider what supports our wellbeing and what may be holding us back. It is an opportunity to consider other’s wellbeing, maybe those who fall into a different demographic category and therefore do not cross our awareness usually. If we were all more curious about each other’s lives and wellbeing, we may think more flexibly, act kinder and be the person who makes that other person’s day with that extra bit of brightness, maybe just taking the time to smile.

For ourselves sometimes the healthiest step forward is not carrying more but deciding what we no longer need to carry. Change is most sustainable when you start small, make one change for yourself for the rest of this month and commit to your plan, you may well be changing your own mental health foundation with that first step"

Get the support you need

If you are finding things difficult, support is available.

NHS Talking Therapies

Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service
www.leedsmentalwellbeingservice.co.uk

Mental Health Helpline

NHS 111
Dial 111 and select option 2 for 24/7 mental health crisis support and professional advice.

Leeds Mental Health Helpline
Call 0800 183 0558 (freephone for anyone registered with a Leeds GP).

Shout / BRIGHT Service
Text BRIGHT to 85258 for free, confidential, 24/7 mental health text support.

Deaf Crisis Text Service
Text DEAF to 85258 for free 24/7 support dedicated to Deaf individuals.