Spiritual self-care - New Leaf College

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Hearing about the experiences of others, and sharing tools and tips to support recovery, is one of the foundations of our culture. We can create connections by sharing about our lived experience – especially those that offer inspiration and hope. Recovery in mental health is not always well understood; sharing your experiences makes personal recovery come alive. It also supports values and strengthens lessons learned from life experiences. It helps to build community and create connections.

You can find lots of inspirational stories; use the search bar at the top to find stories relevant to you. To return to this page after a search, please press the back button in your browser.

Share your experiences

If you are a registered student and would like to share about your experience, please contact us. You can read more student experiences on our testimonials page and student development programme page.

Newsletters

To make our website and newsletters more accessible from 2025 onwards, all blogs, tips and articles published in our e-newsletters will be published on this page. You can also read PDF newsletters published before 2025.

Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Creativity for wellbeing, Spiritual self-care, Nature and wellbeing

Why gardening brings me joy

Susanna

In this interview, Susanna shares how gardening helps her wellbeing, and the small steps anyone can take to get started.

Blog, Creativity for wellbeing, Spiritual self-care

Harnessing music for personal recovery

Tammy

In this article, Tammy shares how they use the power of music to influence their mood, support their recovery and move forward in times of grief.

Blog, Resilience, Spiritual self-care, Self-care

Creating love, hope and joy over Christmas and Hannukah

My Top 10 tips for keeping stress and depression at bay

Abigail

Abigail shares their 10 top tips for being stress free at Christmas and Hanukkah so that they can enjoy the festivities whilst keeping depression at bay.

Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Spiritual self-care, Self-care

Being (outside in the) cold improved my mental health

A student story

Tamara

Blog, Spiritual self-care, Self-acceptance, Self-care

Monkey Business Bubbles

Lucy

A unique student monologue using imaginative words to describe emotions and thoughts as bubbles; of which we can burst, control and change as we grow and recover.

Take a peak to be inspired!

Blog, Spiritual self-care, Self-care, Giving for wellbeing

A Smile

Carrie

A beautifully written piece offering hope and comfort to anyone who reads it.

Written during lockdown 2020 by New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College student, Carrie. Carrie hopes her piece may inspire and offer comfort to others during tough times.

Blog, Resilience, Spiritual self-care, Communication and relationship building

How I learned how to harness social media for my recovery.

Site Administrator

This student talks about their experience of the latest New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College Workshop about having a positve relationship with social media. By reading this short student interview, you'll see what they gained and whether they recomend this workshop.

Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Mindfulness, Spiritual self-care, Self-care, Nature and wellbeing

Immerse and explore Hertfordshire

Mental Health Awareness Week

Louisa

To continue celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week by Mental Health Foundation, we will show you how ...