Waddington & Son celebrates Mental Health Awareness Week

This week, Waddington and Son celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week, where the theme this year is “Moving more for our mental health”.

Movement is incredibly important not only for our physical health but for our mental health too. However, so many of us struggle to move enough due to various reasons, so this year, Mental Health Awareness Week is helping and encouraging people to find moments in their daily routines to move.

Even if it's a small walk around your area, having a little dance to your favourite song in your bedroom or chair exercises when you're watching TV, every little movement counts!

Let’s find out how Waddington & Son have been moving for mental health…

Nicola, head of private client and Court of Protection solicitor, loves getting involved in the Hyrox Fitness Racing. Hyrox combines both running and functional workout stations, providing the ultimate workout for individuals. Running and intense workout sessions are great for mental health as research shows it decreases stress, improves your overall mood due to the release of endorphins, helps you maintain a healthy amount of sleep and more. Even if you run for 5 minutes, every movement counts.

Trish, director and family solicitor, loves to regularly play with her netball team, which involves social interaction, teamwork, team morale and lots of movement. Partaking in group sporting activities is a fantastic way to improve your mental health as it boosts your overall psychological well-being, increasing confidence, self-esteem and helps to increase your level of happiness and motivation.

Colin, Waddington & Son’s other director, family solicitor and Court of Protection deputy, enjoys getting outdoors on his bike, whether that’s by himself, with his friends or his family. Cycling is a brilliant and fun way to get outdoors and get moving. Research suggests that cycling in a nature setting helps you to feel revitalised, energised and optimistic and also shows that cycling can reduce anxiety and stress, which all lead to a healthier lifestyle.

"I find cycling has a great mixture of physical and mental benefits. It lifts my mood due to the natural release of endorphins and when I'm cycling with my friends, it gives me time to socialise and even when I'm cycling alone, it gives me time to clear my mind," said Colin.

Rosalind, crime secretary and receptionist, and Rachael, senior wills and probate solicitor, love spending time and riding horses. Horse riding is proven to stimulate many positive psychological feelings, helping to reduce depression, anxiety, stress and even dementia. Horses are also able to mirror and respond to human emotion, helping you to be more calm and collected as they are chilled-out animals themselves. Interacting with animals also decreases the level of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and helps to lower blood pressure.

Becky, senior associate family solicitor, regularly enjoys running and even recently completed the London Marathon, where she raised funds for The Brain Tumour Research Charity. Research shows that running can reduce anxiety, depression and stress. Marathons specifically can improve motivation, and happiness levels due to a big accomplishment and are great for social interaction, which boosts your overall mood.

It’s certainly safe to say that Waddington & Son is an active lot and has been getting moving this year already!

As they continue to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s important to check in with your friends, family and strangers as mental health can affect anyone.

Don’t forget to follow Waddington & Son on their Social Media to find out more about them and what they’ve been up to!