AS the days get lighter and the clocks go forward tomorrow (Sunday, March 29), people in Craven, Airedale, Wharfedale and Bradford are being encouraged to look after their mental wellbeing, as well as their physical wellbeing, by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s MyWellbeing College.

The team, which provides online support to people experiencing low mood or stress, has put together some simple tips to help people make use of the lighter nights to improve their mood and wellbeing.

Naomi Holdsworth, from Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s MyWellbeing College, said: “Just as people are getting more active for spring, it’s important that they don’t forget about their mental wellbeing.

“Spring is a great opportunity for people to get more active, which helps improve both physical and mental wellbeing.”

The team’s top tips for making sure you stay mentally well this spring are:

• Taking the lighter nights as an opportunity to get active, or exercise from home.

• Having a healthy diet; spring can be a great time to introduce fresh salads to your diet.

• Getting out in the fresh air in your garden and maybe having a walk if able to.

• Drinking plenty of water; especially as the weather starts to get warmer.

• Enjoying the spring sunshine and practicing mindfulness, which means simply being in the here and now, taking just a few minutes each day to do something like listening to the sound of nature. This will help you keep focused in the present.

For more wellbeing tips, view the team’s video at www.bmywellbeingcollege.nhs.uk or visit the knowledge bank section of the website for lots of free tips and links.

One recipient, Sue, who has received support from MyWellbeing College for feelings of low mood and anxiety, said: “As part of my therapy we added in some exercise as it’s what I used to love to do, this has really helped me mentally and I have also lost weight which has reduced my blood sugar.”

MyWellbeing College is a free NHS service that is run in partnership by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and local voluntary and community organisations such as Bradford Counselling Services and the Cellar Trust.

It offers learning and support for people that might be feeling low, unable to sleep, anxious or stressed through a range of online courses, links to websites and resources for help.

The MyWellbeing College is open to anyone over the age of 16 who is registered with a GP in Craven, Bradford, Wharfedale or Airedale.

People don’t have to go through their GP to enrol on a course, they can register online at www.bmywellbeingcollege.nhs.uk