When it comes to self-care and improving your mental health, learning a new language isn’t generally the first thing that comes to mind. Nor is it the second, or third, or fourth.

Yet, studying the interplay of mental health and language learning has provided some incredibly interesting discoveries over the past few years, which warrants a much closer look at learning a second language as a means of boosting your mental state.

This week, guest writer John Ross explores the benefits of learning a new language for your mental health, and how it can boost empathy, confidence and self-esteem.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, with this year’s theme focused on Anxiety, we want to shine a light on this important topic and share tips on how to better understand and manage this state of being.

In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, it can feel like we’re living under increasing pressure to perform, succeed and reach goals. The reality is, high stress can lead to an increase in cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and adrenaline, leading us to feel in constant fight, flight or freeze mode. Short bursts of stress can help us to overcome difficult situations, however when stress escalates to a high level for long periods of time, this can have a detrimental effect on how we function on a daily basis.

One of the most common symptoms of chronic stress is anxiety, of which the symptoms include feelings of worry, fear, overwhelm and apprehension. Managing anxiety helps to improve our overall happiness, motivation, and enjoyment in life, and can prevent us from developing health issues.

This guest blog by Amelia Ruth explores how to identify the signs of anxiety, and 7 tips on how to manage anxiety in your everyday life.