5 Top Mental Health Tips for 2025

Everyone has a level of mental health. Some have good mental health, some have bad, and some have both. If your mental health is good, you may find some of the tips familiar; that’s great, please keep them up. However, if you’re mental health isn’t great, I really would encourage you to try some of the following tips.

1.       Move

You know you need to exercise, and honestly, you should. Especially as you get older. It’s vital for maintaining a fit & healthy body. Exercise is great for your mental health too. Being active releases chemicals in your brain which help you feel happier. The sense of achievement from completing some form of exercise is also great for the brain, even if you didn’t want to do it in the first place. Your self-esteem will increase, and exercise will also help you sleep better too.  

Exercise is not possible for everyone though, so what’s the alternative?

Just move.

Going for a walk is exercise.

Cleaning the house is exercise.

Standing up off the sofa is exercise.

Putting things away is exercise.

Being stagnant is bad. Sometimes it is hard to find the enthusiasm to move, but I promise you, if you do, your body and your mind will thank you for it.

2.       Socialise

Go and see someone!

Socialising reduces the symptoms of depression by helping you feel less lonely, isolated and anxious. Research has shown that your body releases endorphins during social interactions with other humans, like the physical response after a workout. This gives you a boost of happiness and reduces stress too.

We’re pack animals us human beings, we belong together. Whether that be in tribes, families or partnerships, we thrive together. Don’t get me wrong, I can sometimes have my fill of people. When this happens, spending time on my own is vital, this happens to everyone. But longer term, we all need other people to talk to, interact with and to love.

The great part about socialising, is that if you’re leaving your home to do it, you’re also moving. That’s points number one and two, nailed… congratulations!

3.       Eat Properly

Now, I want to be completely honest with you, my diet isn’t always great, even though I know it should be. The excesses of Christmas have caught up with me and the scales don’t lie. Plus, I’ve just eaten a sausage roll – something with very little nutritional value.

It looked good in the bag

It smelt good in the bakers

And when I got it on the plate, I was salivating.

However, after eating it, I do not feel good. My body is telling me that wasn’t good for me! I feel bloated and uncomfortable, something I may not have felt if I’d eaten a piece of fruit. Now, if my diet consisted of just sausage rolls 24/7, I’d be in trouble. Luckily, it doesn’t.

Try and use the 80/20 rule. Be good 80% of the time, so you can be naughty 20% of the time. No one’s perfect but if you treat yourself in moderation, life won’t be dull.

There’s a lot of advice out there around what you should and shouldn’t eat, but if you take a sensible approach, and eat well, all should be good. Fresh, good quality unprocessed food is best of course. If that’s not readily available, cooking from scratch, so you know what has gone into your food is also a great way of maintaining better control over what you are eating.

4.       Get some sleep

Your body works hard and needs to recuperate, so getting a decent amount of sleep is vital. Above, I’ve asked you to move, socialise and eat properly, all of that requires rest afterwards. Sleeping helps to repair and restore our brains, not just our bodies.

Everyone is different though. Various factors will influence the amount of sleep you need. If your job is physical or stressful, it can lead to you needing more sleep. The older we get, the less sleep we seem to need too.

I do know people that survive on four hours sleep a night. Equally, I’ve met people who cannot function on anything less than 10 hours. Again, you’ll know if you need more sleep, as you’ll feel tired.

I’m able to function on about 7 hours sleep a night. If I dip under 6, the following day could become challenging. If that does happen and I’m able to, I’ll take a nap. 20 minutes and I’m good to go again.

It’s this tiredness that can affect our mental health.

You may not be able to concentrate.

You can become irritable.

You can begin to feel low.

All of these factors can be frustrating and lead to increased anxiety or a depressed state, especially if the option of sleep isn’t possible any time soon.

Sleep is vital.

Switch off digital devices a few hours before bedtime.

Read just before going to sleep, or even journal. Write down that day’s thoughts so they won’t simply be whirling around inside your mind.

5.       Get Outdoors

Getting outdoors and maybe more specifically, into nature, is great for good mental health.

Being in nature can give us a sense that we are a part of something greater than just our own lives. It can also get you out of your own head.

Time outdoors can be a bit like getting mental rest and rejuvenation. Scientists have proved that it can improve memory, attention, and creativity too.

Scientifically speaking, seeing natural light can also help to regulate the production of melatonin, a hormone that plays a crucial role in controlling your body clock. If you don’t see any natural light during the day, it can lead to insufficient melatonin levels at night, disrupting your sleep.

The smell of the countryside can help too. Anything from pine trees to fresh grass and green leaves to flowers, has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels. So, getting outdoors, especially in nature is brilliant for your mental health.

That’s just five tips to help with your mental health in 2025. I could have mentioned many more…

For example, it’s important that you simply look after yourself, care for yourself, and put yourself first. After all, you are your number one priority.

Helping Others can bring about enormous mental health benefits.

Reducing Stress is hugely important when it comes to alleviating mental health issues.

Staying Hydrated is great for our bodies as it sustains their functions and supports a healthy brain.

Being Creative can help us express or manage emotions in a positive and productive way. Especially when those feelings are difficult to put into words.

It’s hugely important to look after yourself, both physically and mentally. Create some good habits, habits that will increase the possibility of you doing all of the things mentioned in this article.

Here’s to you being able to Thrive in 2025!

Matt Young - Community Mental Health Lead (Partnerships)