It won’t have gone unnoticed by many Financial Planning Today readers that the week before last was Mental Health Awareness Week.

When the world is upside down, I think now more than ever is the time to focus on our wellbeing and so I thought I’d share some of the things we’ve been doing in recent weeks. 

It’s strange times. For many, they’re enjoying a slower pace of life. However, for others, times are tough. Some will be struggling. Maybe they’re missing the structure of normal life or seeing friends and family? Maybe they’re anxious about what the future holds? Or perhaps they’re struggling with juggling work and home schooling? 

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week was kindness. If you see or hear of someone struggling, a small act of kindness could really make their day. Send that message out of the blue, send a card, or pop a cake on the doorstep.

These random acts help to build a feeling of community, support and hope, but let’s not forget those little acts of kindness can make you feel good too. 

Through regular client updates all through the “lockdown” period, we’ve been communicating with our clients about all sorts of elements of wellbeing. 

And for our part, the little things we’ve been doing haven’t gone unnoticed.  Our “Good News Friday” posts have gone down well on social media, one contact even comparing the regularity of this with Thursday night Clap for NHS and carers.  I’ve sent surprise cards and treats to the team, including chocolate and mindfulness colouring books and pencils.

In return, they treated the family and I to a lovely afternoon tea, delivered to our home – dinner was cancelled that night!

I’m very grateful to be able to have continued with online bootcamp, fitness and yoga sessions three or four times a week, together with regular walks. Poppy the Labrador is certainly keeping fit and I find that keeping physically active really boosts my mental health, but I also value and appreciate reflective, quiet time. 

With that in mind, I treated the team to a mindfulness session as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. We each took different things from the session, but for me the biggest takeaway was to let go of the things that you have no control over. Don’t waste your time or energy on these things, but instead focus your attention on what is in your control and you can change.

Most importantly, remember the theme from the week – kindness. 

Be kind to others but remember to be kind to yourself too.

Nicola Watts APFS Chartered Financial Planner, Chartered Wealth Manager, CFP^TM Chartered FSCI - director of Jane Smith Financial Planning

After joining the family business in 2000, Nicola qualified to provide advice in 2001, and has been a director of the business since 2006. Since the retirement of her mother (Jane Smith), Nicola bears sole responsibility for the management of the firm, and the advice provided to clients. Nicola is married to David and has two young children, Emily and Olivia, and Poppy the black labrador.