The Tameside Radio presenter has some important messages for you during this Mental Health Awareness Week.

When you settle down to read this newspaper, or click on my column online, do you manage to get all the way through it without distractions?

I'd say in a sea of noise and notifications, that is fairly unlikely. Whether it's the ping of an E-mail, a Facebook check-in, or something new-fangled like TikTok (I totally sound like a grandad now!), it's rare to have a moment of serenity in the fast-paced world we all live in.

I kind of miss the days before E-mail and tweets. Keyboard warriors didn't exist for a start, aside from the type who wrote an angry letter in red pen, or faxed you some abuse (the latter did happen to me at a radio station once...a faxed sheet of A4 about why my show was rubbish!).

It's Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme this year is anxiety.

I've been speaking on Tameside Radio to Matthew Hutchinson from Minds Matter Tameside, who provide a free service for anyone who is struggling with their mental health. That listening ear is so crucial, and I've said before in this column that I think we've got a lot better at having honest conversations when we are struggling.

There's a long way to go, though, and services like this are vital. Jason Bromley from TOG Mind is also a friend of my show, and they do fantastic work along with other branches of Mind in Greater Manchester. There's absolutely no shame in admitting you're struggling, and reaching out for help.

Last year, my wife went through a terrible ordeal, and I've invited her to guest write a piece when she feels ready, as she wants to help others who are going through trauma by telling her story. You never know when someone is in that place, so the best advice is to always be kind, and check in with friends who you haven't heard from in a while, to make sure they are OK. Ask, then ask again.

A survey for Shaken Udder milkshakes published this week (I like banana the best if they are reading this!) showed that 94 per cent of us believe we would be happier if we did more of what makes us happy. It sounds obvious, but I'd also like to know who the six per cent are who disagreed with this statement. They sound an interesting bunch. In terms of the top things we would do if we had more confidence, here are the top five:

Eat whatever you want - 27%

Go on holiday alone - 27%

Start your own company - 24%

Tell someone what you really think of them - 22%

Write a novel / get a tattoo - 17% each.

Just below these items were do a sky dive, run a marathon, and sing karaoke in a room full of people. I've done the tandem sky dive, and it was incredible. One of the most exilerating things I've ever done in my life! I once cleared a pub in Ilkley singing Creep by Radiohead at a karaoke night (the radio edit). I'd never be able to run a marathon, but truly admire anyone who has, including our boss Emma Marsh, and departing sports journalist & all-round superstar Katie Catherall (good luck with the next chapter, Katie...you'll be hugely missed by us all).

As for the top five, I do love doing things on my own. I didn't used to like my own company, but I think the moment that changed was a city break alone in Prague in 2008. Since then, I find time alone really cathartic. It's even better when you switch off phone notifications, and just enjoy the peace.

I think that's part of why I love going to the cinema in the afternoon on my own. You can't check your social media feed (although some insist on doing so, thinking you can't see their giant screen light up in the dark), and the film takes you out of the everyday. Reading a book is similar, described by one article I read recently as "dreaming with your eyes open". I enjoy an evening walk too, sometimes with a podcast.

Whatever you like, do a bit more of it this week. Eating whatever I wanted was the reason I had to join Slimming World last year though, so perhaps don't go completely nuts on the Krispy Kreme.

You can listen to Alex every weekday from 7am to 11am and on Saturdays from 3pm to 6pm, on Tameside Radio 103.6FM.