A NEW book by two Lake District authors aims to encourage its readers to look after their mental health.

Providing a 'daily dose of joy', Five A Day to Keep You Joyful offers wise words on the topics of mindfulness, friendship, appreciation, kindness and happiness.

The book is the first that Windermere-based writing duo and married couple, Rachel and Andrew Sainsbury have turned their hands to.

It was inspired by their experience of replacing life and work in the city with raising a family in the Lake District.

Rachel, who is originally from Barrow, teaches part-time in an Ulverston Primary School and is keen to promote the message that good mental health is as important as good physical health.

"Everyone knows it's good to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to keep your body in tip top condition, we wanted to create an effective five-a-day solution for the mind too," she said.

Colourful and bold graphics featuring birds and 160 pages of daily inspiration for a healthy and happy mind make Five A Day to Keep You Joyful a quick and easy guide to mental well-being.

"We recognised the stress levels in our offices and the impact that they were having on our, and our colleagues', mood and mental well-being," Andrew said. "Moving back to the Lake District provided us with the opportunity to redress the balance and concentrate on the things that bring joy and happiness to daily life. The book directly reflects our personal experience and our interest in yoga, meditation, open-water swimming and fresh air."

The book will launch on Saturday, January 13 at Low Sizergh Barn near Kendal, where visitors will be invited to create a tree of joy, take a lucky dip for inspirational words and the chance to win copies of the book.

The book will be stocked at Low Sizergh Barn and other local booksellers, rrp £6.99.