Managing ongoing mental health symptoms can be difficult, but doing so can help you to maintain a more positive emotional, physical and spiritual outlook on life.

We know, however, that becoming an expert in managing mental health, and feeling empowered to take control of your recovery journey takes time and practice - and sometimes even more than therapy.

That’s why, at Solent Recovery College, we use education rather than therapy to teach students practical skills for living with ongoing symptoms as well as how to get the best from mental health services, in a safe and confidential space.

If you need help with getting control of how you’re feeling, read on to discover some of the knowledge and skills taught at Solent Recovery College, and how to put them into practice.

1. Square breathing

Square breathing is a simple technique to manage stress and anxiety. Inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for four, and hold for four. Breathing in this way will calm your nervous system, reduce anxiety and enhance focus.

2. Grounding techniques

Grounding techniques reconnect you with the present and reduce detachment. Use the 5-4-3-2-1 method: identify five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Follow along with our demonstration on this page.

3. Routine

Following a daily schedule with consistent sleep, meals and relaxation times helps to reduce stress, improve mental wellbeing and generally makes your life feel more manageable. Good time management and communication are key - and are both things that we teach at Solent Recovery College if you need a little bit of help in these areas.

4. Mindfulness and self-reflection

Self-care techniques and general lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms of many mental health problems. They may also help prevent some problems from developing or getting worse. Another thing that we teach at Solent Recovery College is mindfulness, and how to listen to and act upon your thoughts, emotions and sensations for improved self-awareness.

5. Getting the best from mental health services

Navigating mental health services can be challenging, which is why we teach Solent Recovery College students how to get the best from services in their local communities. This page is a good starting point if you want to better understand the support available to you and how to access it.

If this post has left you feeling inspired to become a master in managing mental health, visit the ‘Solent Recovery College’ page to explore all the courses you can enrol in.