New research reveals almost 6 in 10 South Asians regularly experience anxiety (57%).
As the weekend draws to a close, many begin to worry about the week ahead with lack of sleep (57%), juggling family life (57%) and a looming to-do list (54%) reported as the top causes.
In fact, searches for anxiety have increased 170% in the last 10 year.
Leading South Asian influencers and mental health advocates, including Parle Patel, Dr Tina Mistry and Ummar Sadique are supporting the Better Health - Every Mind Matters campaign, calling on the South Asian community to adopt Self Care Sundays to help deal with feelings of anxiety by doing small things that can make a big difference.
Parle Patel, Influencer and Comedian, said: “Sundays are a particularly good day to be kind to yourself and get into the right frame of mind for the week ahead. Try adopting a Self Care Sunday routine that works for you - whether that’s mindful breathing exercises in your room or going for a run outdoors. Take time to think about the good things in your life and list the things you're thankful for. It’s important to speak to someone if you’re struggling.”
Dr Tina Mistry, Clinical Psychologist, said: “Stress is the body's reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure. It's very common and can affect our mood, our body, and our relationships - especially when it feels out of our control. Try keeping a diary of what you are doing and how you are feeling at different times of the day to help identify what's causing you anxiety - this will help you create simple steps to better manage it.”
Ummar Sadique, Senior Psychological Well-being Practitioner, said: “Trying to relax and enjoy the last few moments of the weekend on a Sunday can quickly become stressful, especially when you can’t help but worry about the week ahead! For me, reviewing my to-do list and breaking down my biggest tasks into smaller, easier-to-manage chunks really helps. Making a plan for managing upcoming stressful days or events can really help.”
