3 ways to look after your mental health in Manchester

Move your body

Sorry couch potatoes, but it’s true — exercise really is good for you. Besides helping keep your body in working order, adding more movement to your daily routine delivers a generous dose of mood-boosting endorphins.

With this in mind, here are some of our favourite ways to improve your mood while working up a sweat in Manchester.

Puppy (or kitten) yoga

Yep, you heard us right — puppy yoga! Imagine improving your flexibility, improving your core strength, AND making a new furry friend at the same time. It’s a no-brainer, right?

Oh, and we haven’t even told you the best part. The organisers are now offering kitten and bunny yoga (and yes, it’s just as cute as it sounds).

Find out more, check out their adorable puppy pics, and book your session over on Instagram @puppyyogamanchester.

Park runs

Ask and regular runners will tell you, there’s nothing quite like a good run for improving your mental health (runner’s high is a real-life thing, we promise).

But hey, we get it, running alone can be daunting — especially if you live in a busy city like Manchester. That’s where park runs come in! Running as part of a group gives you the opportunity to make new mates and get fit at the same time, and the benefits for your mental and physical health are huge.

So, whether you’re looking to take up running as a new hobby, want to meet new friends, or just don’t want to head out alone, why not give your nearest park run a try?

You can look for your nearest park run and find out more information on the website.

Work from somewhere new

In an era when many of us are working from home at least some of the time, it can definitely leave you feeling isolated if you live alone. Don’t get us wrong, we love a spot of remote work — but variety is the spice of life.

So, if you’re finding yourself feeling a little low while working from home, why not try a change of scenery and co-work? If you don’t have a co-working facility in your building, here’s the next best thing…

City Girl Network’s Co-Working Club

We’ve already given the City Girl Network a well-deserved shoutout on our International Women’s Day post, but we wanted to name-drop them again – this time, for their incredible Co-Working Club that’s perfect for business owners, freelancers, and remote workers in general.

Hosted regularly in partnership with Colony One Silk Street in Ancoats, this is a great way to meet likeminded women and be productive at the same time. Furry friends are more than welcome, and teas, coffees, and snacks are all included. Sounds like a win-win, doesn’t it?

Top tip: this is a ticketed event, so make sure you sign up via the website to avoid missing out!

Get creative

At the risk of sounding just a little bit cliché, we’ve got to say that getting creative is a great way to lift your mood. Put it this way — can you imagine being in a bad mood while making a lampshade? Us neither (we’ll explain in a minute).

Make a lampshade with Manchester Craft & Design Centre

No shade (sorry) to the other arts and crafts classes in Manchester, but we think this one is our new favourite. Hosted by Manchester Craft & Design Centre and available to book on various Saturdays, this six-hour class gives you the chance to learn about the art of cyanotype fabric, create your own lampshade, and take it home to decorate your ceiling. What’s not to love?

To find out more and book your class, head to Manchester Craft & Design Centre’s website.

What do you do to put your mental health first? Let us know over on our socials @mapartments_.