Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder.

CALENDAR

20180800 83 85 87www.breathingspace.scot#365BrighterDays

Breathing Space, Scotland’s mental health phone service, is promoting the 365 Brighter Days campaign, an initiative which encourages everyone in Scotland to practise a positive outlook to life.

The benefits of positivity are well established. Positivity helps us to build resilience, cope better with stress and be more productive. Studies also suggest possible physical health benefits such as lowered blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease.

Positivity is not easy. Being told to ‘be positive’, without understanding that positivity is something we need to work at and practice on a regular basis can be unhelpful.

Taking a positive approach to patient care, and living the values that are shared across NHSScotland, ensures that we have a committed and motivated health service that is delivering high quality care for patients. NHS 24 strives to deliver a positive experience for all callers to our services.

On the following page there are four top tips from Breathing Space for practising positivity:

365 Brighter Days

0800 83 85 87www.breathingspace.scot

Inspiration can help relieve stress so creative activities such as reading, painting, writing or watching an uplifting movie can help us to turn a negative into a positive.

1. Create

Resilience

By connecting with ourselves and trying to understand how we work and feel, we can begin to approach problems in a more positive light; sometimes activities such as meditation, mindfulness or exercise can help.

2. Connect

Self-encouragement and being kind to ourselves is important for our own self-care and can help us to adapt to difficult situations. Showing care, compassion and thoughtfulness to others in need can also fuel positive outcomes.

3. Compassion ‘Living in the present moment’ can help us to focus on what is important and help us to make positive decisions without letting our minds wander to what has happened in the past or what may happen in the future.

4. Choose to slow down

0800 83 85 87

JANUARY2018

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#365BrighterDaysBlue by Ben Cairnswww.breathingspace.scot

1 Year = 365 opportunities

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World Braille Day

2018 Year of Young People Dry January

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FEBRUARY2018

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Pitlochry Boating Station by Philippe Hourcastagnewww.breathingspace.scot

Every day is a fresh start.

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Breathing Space DayChinese New YearWorld Cancer Day

Rare Disease DayNational Random Acts of Kindness Day

LGBT History month

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MARCH2018

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Paddle by Elaine McLeanwww.breathingspace.scot

Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

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International Women’s DayClocks go forward

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APRIL2018

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Blossoms by Annie Fraserwww.breathingspace.scot

Think positive, talk positive, feel positive.

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World Autism Awareness DayWorld Health DayEarth Day

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MAY2018

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Hello you by Grant Speirswww.breathingspace.scot

Every day may not be good but there is something good in every day.

#365BrighterDaysDeaf Awareness Week Mental Health Awareness Week

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Vasculitis Awareness Month

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JUNE2018

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Ben Nevis by Louise Benniewww.breathingspace.scot

You can if you think you can.

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Volunteers’ WeekCarers WeekHuntington’s Awareness WeekWorld Blood Donor Day World Refugee DayArmed Forces Day

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JULY2018

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Magic river by Phil Dawsonwww.breathingspace.scot

There is magic within us all.

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Samaritans’ Awareness Day

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AUGUST2018

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Just missed by Vince Fletcher www.breathingspace.scot

Wake up, smile and tell yourself:today is my day.

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NHS Living Life Day

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SEPTEMBER2018

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Glen Fruin Pheasant by Carole Nivenwww.breathingspace.scot

Be your best self.

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World Alzheimer’s DayWorld’s Biggest Coffee Morning

World Suicide Prevention DayPositive Thinking DayJeans for Genes Day

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OCTOBER2018

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Luss by Danny McCannwww.breathingspace.scot

Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams.

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World Mental Health DayClocks go back

Black History MonthBreast Cancer Awareness Month

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NOVEMBER2018

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Sunrise over Loch Affric by Matthew Smithwww.breathingspace.scot

Some days you just have to create your own sunshine.

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Stress Awareness DayRemembrance SundayWorld Kindness DayNovember Anti-Bullying WeekPrisoners’ Week

Movember

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DECEMBER2018

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Fairy House by Suzy Aspleywww.breathingspace.scot

Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.

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World AIDS DayHuman Rights Day

Breathing Space is a free and confidential phone service which offers listening, compassion and advice to anyone feeling low, stressed or anxious.

The service receives over 8,000 calls each month from people feeling distressed and who do not know where to turn.

Sometimes, being listened to and knowing someone cares, can help you get through a difficult time.

Holding on to positive emotions, appreciating the good times and focusing on what’s important in life can help you find your way back to emotional wellness more quickly.

Here’s to a great 2019.

0800 83 85 87www.breathingspace.scot #365BrighterDays