A visit from Haslemere Museum

As a Dragonfly residential home here at Huntington House, we actively encourage our residents to take an active interest in their hobbies and explore new interests.

We were delighted to welcome the team from Haslemere Museum to Huntington House, to share with our residents a selection of beautiful shells from around the world, fossils and sea creatures.

Haslemere museum Haslemere Museum

Their fossil collection has over 20,000 specimens, mostly from England but with some from around the world including New Zealand, Scandinavia and North America.

Shell collection

Residents outing to Birdworld

What a fantastic day out we had for our lovely residents at the Huntington and Langham Estate in mid August. We took a group to visit Birdworld, which is nearby in Farnham Surrey, a favourite excursion for many of our residents.

Birdworld visitPenguins at Birdworld

Flamingos at birdworldFlamingos

The cheeky penguins were a definite favourite, along with the flamingos and toucans.

The weather was warm and sunny, so a great excuse to stop by the refreshment kiosk to get a cool drink and ice cream in the shade.

Birdworld day tripOuting to Birdworld

As a Dragonfly accredited residential home at Huntington House, we regularly arrange day trips out and about in the local Surrey countryside, creating special moments and shared experiences for residents.

To make our day even more special on this visit, it was Marian’s Birthday and a lovely way for her to celebrate with friends and neighbours.

Afternoon Tea on the Estate

What better way to enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having this summer, than to host afternoon tea in the shade.

Afternoon tea on the estate

Geoff, Mal and Charlie Hoare were joined by Audrey, Christopher, Lynn and Anne who are residents of Huntington House.

Pimms O'Clock An afternoon in the shadeFamily gathering

As a dragonfly home, we regularly host events and create meaningful moment for our residents to create memories and share time together with our family around the grounds.

With such a sunny and warm afternoon, everyone had a lovely afternoon and enjoyed their delicious homemade cakes, tea and a cheeky glass of pimms, whilst sitting in the shade of the pavilion by the lake.

Our resident taxi service, was on hand to take everyone back home, on a tour through the estate’s extensive grounds.

Huntington House taxi service

A huge thank you goes to our chefs who made the delicious sandwiches and cakes.

How we lead the way as a Dragonfly Care Home

Why we believe meaningful care matters

Huntington House continues to lead the way in the provision of residential care and as the first accredited Level One Dragonfly Home, achieving an Excellent rating from Meaningful Care Matters, for the delivery of the Dragonfly Approach in 2022.

Offering a highly engaged service with a high value on meaningful moments and a true person-centred philosophy. People’s individuality and expression is evident and people can express that freedom and be themselves.

“I don’t think you could find many Huntington’s. It’s extremely well run. Different people get different things. I love it! I came for two weeks and have stayed for months.

It’s the attitude you just couldn’t fault. They have been very understanding to me as a smoker as so many places don’t these days. AND they’ve let me have my dog Woolly – they had a vote on it and then Maggie said “Woolly is welcome!” Resident of Huntington House

Molly and Christine

A leading Dragonfly care home

Meaningful Care Matters conducted the audit during June 2022, accrediting the home with flying colours, recognising the hugely impressive achievement of the whole team at the Huntington & Langham Estate after the challenges of the last two years from managing Covid-19.

On receiving the news Charlie Hoare, Managing Director of The Huntington and Langham Estate said:

“I’m so very proud of our team, and completely overwhelmed with the outcome, especially having managed to maintain such a high standard of true person-centred care when Covid-19 has presented so many challenges along the way.

 

Reading the report made me incredibly emotional, having needed to navigate the government Covid-19 guidance over the last 2 years, whilst maintaining our family ethos and the Dragonfly Approach at Huntington House.  Knowing that the effort to balance it all, has had a positive impact on people’s lives makes it all worthwhile.

 

There is something so fundamental about looking after each other; it is why we exist as humans. Life in care homes should reflect life in general, and while the care industry still has a way to go to achieve a truly holistic approach, being the first accredited Level One Dragonfly Home is arguably the best evidence that we are leading the way.

 

For me, both professionally and personally, it’s the positive comments from the people that live and work here that are so important, as well as feedback from family members.

Having an independent audit by Meaningful Care Matters, ensures that we remain focused on the most important part of running a care home; the people and their freedom to be themselves.

 

The expert insights provided in this years report, into how to embrace people’s individuality, and the impact of the environment on their experience of life in a care home, will become our care encyclopaedia for the next year, until the next audit!”

Working with Meaningful Care Matters

Established in 2019, Meaningful Care Matters (MCM) focuses on the development of resilient relationship-centred cultures of care shaped by the people living and working within them. MCM believe that caregiving is meaningful for everyone involved when cultures of care express the personhood of people within them. In these person-centred services both “caregivers” and recipients of care can flourish.

The Dragonfly approach is about the ‘whole person’. While traditional care focuses primarily around clinical needs, the Dragonfly approach gives control back to the person who is being cared for and values the person on an emotional and social level, meaning each person is “free to be me”.

 

“There is a real feeling of home here. It is informal relaxed and family like. We always ask “How would I want my loved one to be treated?” That’s the starting point. With the Estate, you can feel the love – everyone truly does care and people have fun!

 

Even during the pandemic, we managed to have outdoor parties and we could use the buggies to go round the beautiful gardens”. Team Member at Huntington House

 

Huntington House Team

There is lots more information about The Huntington and Langham Estate available on our website. https://huntingtonlangham.estate/

We love to show people around the Estate and our two wonderful homes so please do send us an Email to huntington@hlestate.co.uk or call us 01428 604600 to arrange a visit.

Advice For Handling A Dementia Diagnosis In A Loved One

When your loved one receives a dementia diagnosis, the world can suddenly feel upside down and out of kilter. Here, Charlie Hoare, Managing Director at Huntington & Langham Estate in Hindead, gives advice on handling a dementia diagnosis in a loved one.

Dementia Is A Journey

Dementia is a journey. It often starts in a dark, hostile place with a flimsy leaflet as a map and everyone assuming you know which way up to hold it. But you are not alone on this journey; there are various people and organisations that can be your companions along the way.

If you feel lost already, Alzheimer’s Society is a good place to start. Their website maps out all you need to know about dementia – from ‘signs and symptoms’ to an online shop with a whole host of helpful items, such as Velcro clothes by The ABLE Label that promote dignity and independence.

Understanding Dementia Can Be Overwhelming

Be wary of information overload though. Dementia is a huge topic that even dedicated researchers do not fully understand yet. If you do become overwhelmed, the brilliantly named Dementia Adventure has an invaluable free online dementia skills session called Mood & Motivation. You must attend their ‘Thinking Differently About Dementia’ first, but once you have, you will be scouring their website for other sessions to attend, not to mention their supported holidays.

Dementia Home Care Or A Dementia Care Home?

At some point you will decide how best to look after your loved one; either as an unpaid carer or enlisting the help of home care or a care home. Either way, you will likely feel a huge sense of responsibility for them, not to mention all the emotions that come along for the ride – guilt, loss, frustration, stress. There are no two ways about it, you need to look after yourself as well. This is easier said than done when you are also juggling the endless demands of your own life, but coaching is a concept that could help.

Coaching For Unpaid Carers

Coaching is currently growing in popularity way beyond the realms of sport where it is most associated with specialist coaches for eating, sleeping, and every other aspect of life. Coaching For Unpaid Carers is a refreshing resource that aims to empower people to live the life they choose. The ‘Stress Buster’ video on their website is worth a watch. But there are many local lifestyle coaches that may be able to support you. Aim to find a recommendation or contact a reputable agency.

Specialist Dementia Care Homes

Finally, there are specialist dementia care homes for any crises along your journey. In our experience at Langham Court, and despite promises they may have made to their loved ones, people either contact us at the beginning of their journey for reassurance that help is at hand when needed, or when they have reached a crossroads in their care due to a hospital admission, an incident at home or a discussion about the end of life with their GP or other family members.

Moving Into Care Is Not The End

People often feel as though moving into a care home is the end of their journey, but good care homes will work with you rather than replace you. For some it marks the beginning of a new journey, one where they remain part of the care provided but regain their relationship with their loved one. But everyone’s journey is unique, and you must find the support that suits you.

Charlie Hoare is the Managing Director of the Huntington & Langham Estate, which includes specialist dementia home, Langham Court. A fully accredited Butterfly model care home, Langham Court puts the individual at the heart of all of its decision making, ensuring both the home environment and care is tailored to care recipients’ personal preferences and needs.

If you’d like to discover more about Langham Court, please contact us

How To Spot A Specialist Dementia Care Home

Many care homes provide dementia care, but there is a difference between care homes that accept people with dementia and specialist dementia care homes. The former might have some signage dotted around to help people orientate themselves. The latter will have a robust culture of care, usually implemented as a care model, which is seen in every interaction between the staff and residents.

The Butterfly Approach

Ever since Langham Court opened in 2013 it has been an accredited Butterfly home. The Butterfly approach is a care model that focuses on enabling people to be ‘Free to be me’. In essence, Langham Court encourages people to express their feelings in ways that traditional care homes often ignore or attempt to control.

Butterfly Home Audit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_iJyX_x0m8

A Butterfly audit, which is required for accreditation, identifies a sliding scale of 5 different types of care interactions – meaningful, positive, neutral, negative, and controlling. The majority of care homes that are audited have 70% of interactions (between staff and residents) in the neutral, negative and controlling categories. To be an accredited Butterfly home, 70% of interactions must be in the meaningful and positive categories. 

Positive Interactions Versus Negative Interactions

Examples of these types of interaction can be found in everyday occurrences, such as something as simple as making toast.

  • A meaningful interaction might be a carer asking what you would like on your toast, sitting next to you while spreading your preferred choice, and reminiscing about how the smell of toast reminds them of their childhood.
  • A positive interaction would perhaps look similar to one you might have experienced at a hotel breakfast buffet. Well, a decent one anyway, where a waiter gives you a choice, a smile and a bit of small talk, but doesn’t sit down and join you.
  • A neutral interaction is the bad buffet equivalent where something you ordered on a tick sheet the night before is plonked down in front of you with little or no personal interaction.
  • A negative interaction might involve being encouraged to wait until lunch because it is getting late. The intention might be good, so as to not spoil your appetite, but it is denying you choice and independence.
  • A controlling interaction could be denying you toast altogether due to already having had some, and perhaps talking over you to another member of staff saying that you’re always asking for toast when you’ve already had some.

Limiting interactions to neutral, negative and controlling tends to go one of two ways. People either become compliant and withdrawn or frustrated and annoyed. People with dementia, whose ability to control these emotions has been lost, either become upset and depressed or irritable and aggressive, and can become labelled by these behaviours forever.

The Approach of The Carer Influences Behaviour In Dementia Patients

Professor Tom Kitwood, whose core principles of person-centred care helped shape the Butterfly approach, identified that it is not necessarily the dementia that causes people to display challenging behaviour but the approach of the people caring for them. This is why Butterfly homes, with a majority of positive and meaningful interactions, have such successful outcomes for people with dementia, especially those who may have previously been labelled ‘aggressive’.

It does not necessarily mean that people stop displaying such behaviours. We all get frustrated from time to time, and having dementia presents a whole host of situations that almost anyone would find frustrating. But Butterfly homes see these behaviours as a form of communication rather than a reflection of someone’s personality.

Butterfly Homes Use An Emotional Risk Assessment Tool

A common occurrence of such behaviours can be while providing personal care, which is necessary to prevent infections but can be incredibly upsetting for people with dementia. When clinical care needs to be carried out there is a risk that keeping someone safe comes at a cost to their wellbeing. In these situations, Butterfly homes often use an emotional risk assessment tool to make sure clinical and emotional care are balanced, and such care is provided for the person, not just their condition.

An emotional risk assessment might look at how frequently personal care is required and what time of day it is provided rather than fitting it in with the daily routine of the home when it suits the staff rather than the resident. If this doesn’t work, and personal care causes distress regardless, Butterfly homes might allocate a different member of staff to the one providing the physical care to visit the person afterwards to support them emotionally.

It is this emphasis on emotional care and meaningful interactions that all specialist dementia care homes should have. If you are looking for a specialist dementia care home, simply spend a minute or two observing a lounge or day area, and count the different types of interaction, as outlined above.

If you’d like to learn more about our Butterfly Home Langham Court, please click here

To see if there is a Butterfly home near you, check the map at the link below.

https://meaningfulcarematters.com/partners/

 

 

Professional Elderly Care in Surrey: Celebrating Our Award Shortlistings!

At our professional elderly care home in Surrey, we’re delighted to share some news with you!

This month, we’re celebrating our shortlisting in several categories in the regional Great British Care Awards, as well as at a national level in the Caring UK awards — two of the care sector’s leading forms of recognition.

Recognising Professional Elderly Care: The Awards

We’ve been shortlisted in four categories at the Great British Care Awards, including The Care Home Registered Manager Award for Maggie, who oversees Huntington House, as well as the The Dignity in Care Award, The Care Employer Award and The Care Team Award.

We’re also shortlisted at a national level in the Caring UK Awards, with our team at Langham Court gaining recognition for their hard work in dementia care. 

The format of the Great British Care Awards sees them celebrate the achievements of regional professional elderly care services, before the regional winners then compete at a national level – so this is an incredibly exciting opportunity for all at the estate!

Professional Elderly Care - Cosy living room at Huntington House in Surrey

Professional Elderly Care: Reflecting on the Past Year

The past couple of years has been incredibly difficult for everyone in the healthcare sector – so to be recognised at this point in time truly is an achievement.

Charlie, our director, said: “Being shortlisted in a leading industry award is always something to celebrate, but to be shortlisted in five separate categories really is fantastic and the team here are delighted. Everyone has worked so hard in the last 18 months to overcome the challenges of the pandemic, so to receive recognition for the services we’ve been providing during that time is a really wonderful feeling and we’re enormously excited at the prospect of winning.”

The Great British Care Awards will take place on the 6th November at the Hilton Hotel in Brighton — with the Caring UK Awards following later in the year on the 2nd December at an awards ceremony, hosted by Emmerdale actor Dean Andrews, at The Athena in Leicester.

Both events intend to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in the care industry and will offer the opportunity for care providers across the UK to reflect on their resilience throughout the pandemic.

Charlie added: “The interviews that have occurred as part of the award shortlistings offered a moment of reflection for all the positives that we, as a team, have achieved during 18 months of dealing with almost relentless challenges. It’s so important to take stock at times like this, and whether or not we win, I am immensely grateful to have had everyone at the estate by my side through the ups and downs of the pandemic.

 

Countryside exterior at Huntington and Langham Estate in Surrey

 

“Our team have done a magnificent job under the most trying of circumstances to deliver consistently excellent care throughout the pandemic and it’s all thanks to their hard work and dedication that we’re in the running. So I’d like to say a huge thank you to them for their efforts, and in particular, Maggie and Anita who have done a tremendous job in managing their respective teams. Fingers crossed for the win!”

At the estate, we’d like to thank everyone who has supported us so far throughout our journey. Without our wonderful residents, family members and dedicated staff, we certainly wouldn’t have made it this far. 

If you’d like to find out more about our professional elderly care home, please do browse our website.

 

Alternatively, to book a tour today, please contact a member of our team.

Random Acts of Kindness Day at the Estate

How we’ve been spreading cheer this Randon Acts of Kindness Day

Here at the estate, we’re passionate about embracing any opportunity to spread joy within our home, and throughout the community.

The past year has been a rollercoaster ride – and so, we think it’s more important than ever that we clutch to little nuggets of happiness whenever they arise.

So, sit back, relax and enjoy reading all about the random acts of kindness we’ve been exhibiting throughout February.

Surprising Our Care Team

To celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day, we’ve taken the opportunity to show our gratitude to our care team for all the hard work they do each day.

So, we surprised each member of the H&L team with either a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates. It’s safe to say that they were delighted with their gifts!

Surprising care staff at H&L Estate for Random Acts of Kindness Day

Spreading the Love on Valentine’s Day

Last Sunday, we donned our creative hats to celebrate the day of love.

Three members of our wonderful team clubbed together to create mini hand-made Valentine’s cards for the H&L family. A small act of kindness really does go a long way; our residents were overjoyed with the gesture!

H&L Estate getting crafty for Random Acts of Kindness Day

Getting Crafty

It’s not just our staff that love getting creative; it turns out that our residents do, too!

We were delighted to see their enthusiasm for making Valentine’s cards and sending love to their nearest and dearest.

Doing arts and crafts at H&L Estate for Random Acts of Kindness Day

Baking Sweet Treats

At the estate, we think there’s little better than a tray of warm, freshly baked goodies.

We were delighted to discover that one of our residents had decided to treat us with a delicious array of shortbread, moulded into heart shapes in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Baking sweet treats at H&L Estate for Random Acts of Kindness Day

We Have a Secret Hairdresser Among Us…

This may come as a surprise to some of you… Bess, one of our team leaders, has a special talent (aside from her wonderful caring nature!); she’s actually a qualified hairdresser!

Hairdressing at H&L Estate for Random Acts of Kindness Day

During lockdown, Bess has very kindly been putting her skills into practice, making our residents feel special with a fresh haircut.

Thank you to all our staff and residents for continuing to spread kindness and joy at our home, and throughout the community. It truly does make all the difference at a time that’s so difficult for us all.

How did you celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day? Let us know via our social media channels.

6 Health Boosting Lifestyle Changes

In seeking ways to boost our lifestyle, the ultimate aim is to create a healthier and happier version of ourselves. As you enter into old age, there are so many positives to draw upon.

Living life to the full whatever your age

You’re less likely to care about other peoples’ opinions, and you have more time to give to the community, and the ones you love.  From eating a healthier diet to socialising more often, there are many ways you can make sure you’re living life to the fullest.

Plate of healthy food

Learn to enjoy exercise

Exercise is known to reduce the risk of a number of health conditions, from some cancers to heart disease. It’s been shown to extend our life expectancy, all the while working to improve our quality of life.

Setting a goal to engage in more exercise is a great way to get healthy. It’s one of the best ways you can look after your mental and physical health, and is recommended by most health professionals.

Here at the Huntington & langham Estate, we are blessed with our extensive grounds and woodland trails and actively support all those living in our 2 homes to exercise regularly.

Many of us don’t take pleasure in exerting our bodies – and this can largely be attributed to our lifestyle habits – or in other cases, due to the onset of pain. However, we can adapt the exercise we do to suit personal needs and abilities.

In order to repeat healthy behaviours, we need to feel genuine gratification as a result. When it comes to exercise, this is much easier to achieve when we engage in an exercise that we enjoy. For some, that may be brisk walking though woodlands; for others, it might be a gentle stroll around the garden.

Exercise should become an enjoyable pursuit that you look forward to – and the positive feelings you gain in return will act as your motivators.

It’s a good idea to exercise with a friend wherever you can; you’ll be able to motivate each other, which becomes particularly useful on days where summoning the courage to get active is a little more of a struggle.

Fuel your body with nutrients

Our bodies can’t rely on exercise alone to reach optimum health. It does boost our mental and physical health, yes, but it’s important that this is supported with a healthy, nutritious diet.

Consuming the correct balance of healthy fats, fibre, vegetables and protein will fuel our bodies with the nutrition and energy it needs to fight off a range of health conditions and keep us active.

Our chefs are very experienced and creative in offering a varied menu of meals throughout the week to meet all dietary requirements and inspire people to eat well.

It’s important to remember to eat mindfully, too, reminding ourselves why we’re eating and what purpose it has for our bodies. However, it’s equally as beneficial to eat in the company of others, since this prevents feelings of loneliness – so finding a balance between the two is key.

Try to ensure that your meals are as tasty as they are healthy; you should aim to be as attracted to your meal as you would be to a slice of chocolate cake. You’ll be more likely to stick to a healthy eating regime if you create tasty, wholesome meals that you look forward to devouring.

 

Plate of nutritious food

 

Stay connected with others

Just like our need for food and water, social interactions boost our mental and physical health in ways that we may not realise. Loneliness is known to trigger mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, and has unfortunately become commonplace amongst the older generation.

Making the effort to stay connected with others should become a priority. With modern day advances in technology, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with friends and family members – even those who live far away. Maintaining connections with loved ones helps to retain a sense of purpose which becomes more and more precious with age.

Try and challenge yourself to engage in social interactions on a daily basis – even if it’s just with one person. Seniors who do this are known to be healthier and happier in general, which is important for ensuring a greater quality of life.

If you find that you’re struggling to make friends, consider joining a local community group. You’ll discover likeminded people, offering you the opportunity to create newly found friendships whilst also picking up a new hobby that you might not otherwise have considered.

Learn something new every day

Neuroplasticity is our brain’s ability to continue to grow and develop throughout the course of our lives. This is enhanced when we actively learn new things, boosting our cognitive health and working to improve our level of intelligence.

On a monthly basis we have a programme of activities which stimulate both mind and body, with an emphasis on fun.

Many people like to learn by reading books on a chosen subject, whilst others like to learn by trying a new activity.

However small, learning something new every day can offer a sense of fulfillment, whilst protecting us against a number of cognitive ailments. You could perhaps try learning a new instrument or language, or bake something that you haven’t tried before.

Set a reading goal

Reading is appreciated widely for its ability to broaden our horizons. A fiction book can drift us away to a different place, offering relief from daily stresses. Meanwhile, a non-fiction book can expand our knowledge and offer us different perspectives on life and its complexities.

Books can offer us so much more than TV programmes – and it certainly fits within our resolutions at the estate to become more widely read.  For those with sight difficulties, we also encourage the use of audio books.

Reading not only helps to reduce stress levels; it can work to improve our quality of sleep, as well as lower the rate of cognitive decline. If you’re not already an avid reader, pick an easy-to-read book and try setting yourself a goal to read 20 minutes each night before going to sleep.

Reading a book with coffee

Become part of your community

There really is something to be said for community spirit. People who voluntarily give their time to improving their local area are well respected and in return, gain boosted feelings of self esteem. To get started, consider offering your volunteering services to local shops or events; you can listen to radio updates and read newspapers to stay updated.

Alternatively, consider donating old items – such as clothes, bedding, food and books to places in need. These can include animal shelters, food banks, libraries and charity shops.

We’re really excited to be on the cusp of the beginning of a new year at Huntington and Langham Estate. For us, this acts as a time for reflection whilst looking towards the future, thinking about how we can continue to make positive contributions to our residents’ lives and the wider community.

What positive changes will you make to your life in the new year? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Let us know on our social media channels!

7 Simple and Effective Ways to Improve your Mental Health

In testing times, it’s not just our physical health that becomes vulnerable. Our mental health suffers, too, and often we don’t realise it’s happening until negative emotions begin to surface.

In fact, research has shown that on average, mental health has worsened by 8.1% as a result of the covid pandemic, according to The Health Foundation.

 

This means that it’s never been more important to look after our mental health, and that of our loved ones. So, how can we ensure that we’re setting ourselves on the right track?

7 simple and effective ways to improve your mental health today.

 

1. ENJOY THE PRESENT

Living mindfully and savouring the present is one of the best ways to improve our mental health. Reliving painful past experiences, as well as worrying about the future cause unnecessary bouts of anxiety and depression to surface.

As we let our thoughts drift to negative experiences and thoughts, we’re actively bypassing what’s happening in this very moment – a moment you’ll never get back.

The green gym

When you notice your thoughts drifting, try the following steps:

  • Sit in a comfortable position, and close your eyes.
  • Relax your muscles, and pay close attention to what’s going on around you; notice the smells, sounds, and the feel of your clothes against your skin.
  • If it helps, imagine yourself in a peaceful setting – this could be a beach, or a rainforest.
  • If you notice your thoughts beginning to drift, accept them and slowly let them wash away as you bring your attention back to the present.

Trying this mindfulness exercise can help train the mind to focus on the now – something that many of us find difficult to do when we’re surrounded by everyday distractions.

You can adopt this approach during your everyday activities, too. Next time you head out for a walk, try walking in silence for a while and pay close attention to everything you pass; you’ll likely notice things you haven’t before.

 

2. GET THOSE ENDORPHINS FLOWING

Endorphins, our ‘happy’ hormone, are essential to life. They allow us to feel positivity, hope and joyfulness – all of which contribute to a healthy state of mind.

Personalised care

One of the easiest ways to release more of this happy hormone into our internal system is by staying active. You might, for example, try heading out for a brisk walk, or engaging in some stretching activities that promote healthy blood flow.

 

3. FALL IN LOVE WITH THE SMALL THINGS IN LIFE

When we can learn to appreciate the small things, such as the smell of freshly cut grass or the very first sip of fresh coffee in the morning, we create a sense of inner peace and gratitude that others may take for granted.

Residents on the terrace

Since we live in such a fast-paced world, it can take some effort to slow down and find joy in our basic, everyday items/rituals – but doing so transforms our default mental state for the better.

 

4. SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Perspective is everything. It shapes the way we see the world, as well as our own individual lives.

If you place a heavy focus on your misfortunes, for example, the world will become a solemn, untrustworthy place to be.

In contrast, if you try to look for the positives in every situation and focus on the good things that happen to you, the world will become a better place in your eyes – and you’ll likely find that your relationships with others will improve, too.

Residential Man Smiling At Camera

 

5. BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR STRENGTHS

Too many of us focus on our weaknesses, forever hoping to improve several aspects of our physical and mental being.

Whilst it’s healthy to have goals, it’s never healthy to place all of our attention on what we can’t do.  Instead, focus on and celebrate your strengths.

Residents kitchen

Perhaps you’re a keen learner who always likes to try new things, or you have an eye for fine art or an expert baker. Whatever it is, be thankful for your innate talent and put it to good use whenever you can.

 

6. ENJOY MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS

Strengthening our relationships is an easier task for some than it is for others. However, doing so can have a profound impact on our mental health, giving us more socialising opportunities and the chance to develop deeper bonds.

As humans, we are naturally sociable creatures; we crave the company of others, and when we’re deprived of this, feelings of loneliness tend to surface.

Dragonfly care

Next time you’re feeling like you could benefit from the company of a family or friend, try picking up the phone and giving them a call. Alternatively, you could head out to a local group/club in your community and form new friendships.

 

7. RESTORE YOUR INNER PEACE

Once you have found inner peace, feelings of stress and anxiety will start to melt away. One of the most effective ways you can do this is by learning to forgive.

Forgiveness does not always come easy, and a large part of it depends on circumstance. But what many of us fail to realise is that suppressed anger and resentment for an individual or past event largely contributes to generalised anxiety and stress on an everyday basis.

If you can, try to forgive and let go at least one thing that’s causing you to feel unpleasant emotions. It’s a kind of therapy that we can do to ourselves that brings us mental and emotional relief.

At Huntington and Langham Estate, we support our residents with their physical and mental health through our holistic care approach. From welcoming our new PAT dog to celebrating #GladtoCare Week, we’ve been spreading cheer in abundance.

To find out more about what we’ve been up to, take a look at our social channels. Alternatively, click here to speak to a member of our team.