Sometimes it can feel like we don't have any control over what we think or how we feel. But by making simple changes to our lives, we can make a real difference to our mental health.

·         Talk to someone: Choosing to talk to someone about mental health problems can be helpful and it can be the first step to feeling better.

·         Live a healthy life: Paying attention to your diet can help you improve your mood. Here are some things to try:

o   Reduce how much sugar and caffeine you are getting as this can make the anxiety worse. There's a lot of sugar and caffeine in energy drinks, Coke and other fizzy drinks; try to drink more water instead.

o   Try and eat balanced meals at set times. If your body is in a rhythm of regular meals, you may feel less anxious.

o   Try not to drink alcohol or take drugs as these also increase anxiety. They can make you worry a lot about things and find it hard to feel safe even when things are okay.

·         Relaxation: When we're anxious, we tend to over-think things. Meditation and mindfulness are a helpful way to relax your mind. Find somewhere quiet, away from any distractions and let your mind clear, focusing on your breathing. You may prefer to do some deep muscle relaxation [HYPERLINK]. There are a lot of apps available with guided meditations to get you started, [see here for more information hyperlink].

·         Problem solving: When a problem seems really big, it can feel scary, and it can be hard to know where to start in trying to sort it out. First, look at what the problem is. Think of all the possible solutions and write down how you think things might turn out if each one happened. This will help you choose what the best solution would be.

·         Reward yourself: Each time you use a coping skill to manage anxiety, why not reward yourself? Make a list of things you enjoy and choose one to reward yourself with. This can be something as simple as a watching your favourite movie at home, having a nice bath, or reading a good book.