Strictly’s Helen Skelton says seeing her ‘mind as a muscle’ helps on ‘down days’ as she discusses mental health

Helen Skelton has revealed how training herself to think positively has helped her to overcome advertsity in her personal life.

The Countryfile presenter, 29, from Cumbria, who is currently a fan favourite on BBC Strictly Come Dancing alongside professional dance partner Gorka Márquez, has had a challenging year following the split from her husband of eight years Richie Myler.

She explained to Ok! magazine how focusing on things that she can be grateful for in her life helps to keep her resilient.

Helen said: “I’ve always seen my mind as a muscle – if you look after it, it will look after you. People ask me if my glass is half full or half empty, and I say, “I’ve got a glass haven’t I?”

"Life is a blessing. Sometimes my friends are like, ‘You must have a down day,’ and of course, I do, but I was just always one of those kids that was brought up to believe there’s someone worse off than yourself, so just get on with it,” she added.

The mother-of-three, who has had a thriving career whilst balancing motherhood, explained that she has always enjoyed challenging herself because taking yourself out of your comfort zone can be “rewarding”.

Last weekend, Helen impressed the Strictly judges with a Quickstep to Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse's version of ‘Valerie’ in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

She has managed to juggle rehearsals with the launch of a new campaign with mental health charity Mind, while also helping Lorraine Kelly with her latest ‘Me time’ campaign which involves encouraging the nation to spend 20 minutes a day focusing on themselves.

Helen moved back to her parents farm in Cumbria following her split from Leeds Rhinos star Richie Myler. She has praised her parents for supporting her with children Ernie, seven, Louis, five and Elsie, 11 months throughout her time in Strictly.

Prior to their split, The Mirror reported that she and Richie had been looking after their children “in shifts” due to their busy schedules.

Having been asked if they go on dates, Helen said: “No... We're not in the house together – we are staying out of each other's way.

"We say this is the dream as we have breakfast, lunch and dinner together but then look after the kids in shifts. You appreciate the other in this situation. I don't think he'll ever say again, 'What do you do with the kids all day?'.”

Richie is now expecting a child with his new partner Stephanie Thirkill, 32, who is the daughter of Richard Thirkill president of the Leeds Rhinos Rugby team.