While technology allows connection, knowledge and access to new opportunities, it can also often keep us sedentary – whether in our work or our personal lives. This means that we can often overlook one of the most effective ways to support our wellbeing - regular movement. From reducing stress to building social connections, physical activity plays a vital role in both our mental and physical health. 

At Meridian Wellbeing, we’re proud to partner with Fit and Active Barnet (FAB), a local initia...

Substance addiction continues to be one of the most challenging public health issues in the UK. Government data shows that 8.7% of adults aged between 16 to 59, approximately 2.9 million people, in England and Wales reported taking an illegal drug last year. But substance addiction is not just caused by illegal drugs, just over 1% of the adult population of England are estimated to have an alcohol addiction, and 25% of the adult population are prescribed medication which potentially could lead t...

On International Women’s Day (8th March), communities around the world come together to recognise the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women and girls. This is a day dedicated not only to celebrating successes, but also to acknowledging the work that still needs to be done to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, benefits from a fairer and more inclusive society. At its heart, International Women’s Day reminds us that when women and girls thrive, everyone flourishes. 

Here i...

Winter has well and truly arrived, bringing with it changes to the weather and, for some, their wellbeing. At this time of year, cooler temperatures and shorter days can make things appear more challenging.  

It’s not surprising that many people in the UK struggle during the winter months. Motivation to exercise can dip, we may spend less time outdoors in natural sunlight, and our diet often changes due to festive celebrations like Christmas. 

Why winter impacts our wellbeing 

Shorter d...

In the latest episode of our popular podcast, The Word on Wellbeing, we heard Dr Miller speak about social prescribing and how it is helping the people of Barnet to improve their wellbeing.   

But what is social prescribing?  

At its heart, social prescribing is about empowering people to take control of their wellbeing by identifying the non-medical challenges, such as social isolation, stress, and lifestyle factors, that often impact their health.  

Social prescribing connects individuals t...

As winter approaches, Barnet is turning up the warmth with a celebration of community spirit! Join us for Warmth in Unity, an event all about bringing together our borough’s rich cultural diversity and showing the incredible strength of coming together. 

This special event is a collaboration between our partners at Barnet Social Prescribing and the Barnet Wellbeing Service - we are all united by a shared vision of connection and inclusion. 

Why this matter to us? 

At Meridian Wellbeing, we...

Content Warning: the article contains references to mental health crisis and suicide   

The 10th October was World Mental Health Day, a day when we come together to raise awareness about mental health and the actions we can take to support ourselves and each other.   

Sadly, mental health continues to be something which isn’t spoken about enough, both here in the UK and around the world. The result unfortunately is that many people find themselves unable access support when they need it most -...

January is well known as a traditional time to make new year resolutions. But I don’t think I’m alone in saying this; by the end of the month I haven’t been able to keep up with them. Life gets in the way, unexpected events happen, and therefore I haven’t been able to fully commit to my new year resolutions. This can lead to us feeling despondent, and worse still, giving ourselves a hard time for not being able to achieve these goals.

This year has started different, thanks to what I have learn...

Two of the persistent symptoms I experienced when I was ill with depression was lack of appetite and sleep disruption. Every day for over 100 days.

Aiming to eat three meals a day is incredibly difficult when you don’t have an appetite. Restoration for our body and mind is incomplete due to sleep disruption. Not being able to eat and sleep, at a time when we most need to eat and sleep, is cruel.

People say this is mental illness, but it does also affects us physically. We need food and sleep i...

Out of all the letters in the alphabet, there is one letter which covers an array of wonderful values. This is the letter P.

P is Possibilities. P is for Progress. P is Pride. P is Powerful. Other P’s include:

All of these above P words are Empowering. They allow us to live in the Present moment.

It gives us hope with Possibility, Potential, Plans.

Creativity gives us Poems, Paint, Pen & Paper.

Exercise gives us Pace, Physical, Parks

Good manners include Patience, Polite, Please.

And be...