How can I relieve stress?

We all tend to look after our bodies, whether it's going to the gym, eating healthy, or simply showering. Why is it then that so few of us look after our minds?

The term mental health means how we feel, think and behave. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health problems.

It's important to note that we all have mental health. If we imagine a scale from 1 to 100 with 1 been "I feel brilliant" to 100 been the total opposite. We all fall somewhere on that scale, and that can easily change on a daily basis.

With one in four people in the UK having a mental health problem at some point in their lives, what are some simple things we can do to look after our minds?

1. Be mindful . Stay in the present and don't let your mind keep wandering to stressful situations. Focus on what's happening now, not what happened yesterday. If you find yourself worrying about something that 'might' happen, remember that you can't predict it, and can't control it. Most of the time, the things we worry about turn out not quite as bad as we thought. Check out our Mindfulness and Meditation page for more information.

2. Talk about your problems . This could be your best friend, work colleague or doctor. Sometimes, talking about your problems can help give you a different perspective, and often help resolve the situation.

3. Laugh daily . Watch a comedy movie. Listen to a funny audio book. Laughing releases endorphins that make you feel happier, so bring on some giggles!

4. Exercise . Keeping active increases your endorphins, boosts energy, relieves tension, improves concentration and promotes better sleep. Any exercise that raises your heart rate is great for decreasing stress. That could be taking the dog for a brisk walk, doing some gardening, or working out at the gym.

5. Get enough sleep . Although everyone is different, experts say that we should try to get between 7 and 9 hours sleep every night. Lack of sleep can lead to many problems including impaired memory, weight gain, greater risk of depression and increased risk of heart disease and cancer. Try to set a regular bed time, avoid caffeine and listen to some relaxing music.