Mental Health Support

Life can get busy, and the little things we can do to be kinder to ourselves often become an afterthought; as a result mental health issues are common. In fact, one in five Australians will experience a mental health condition at any given time.

7 tips for looking after your mental health

1. Connect

Joining a community and building relationships with others is proven to make you feel good. Gaining a sense of belonging, involvement, and purpose can give further meaning to your everyday life. Even if you’re in a lockdown, it’s important to stay connected with family or friends, so try to arrange regular Zoom catch ups or go for a walk in your area with a friend if permitted.

2. Exercise

Exercise is a great outlet for stress release, plus it makes you feel good. When you exercise, endorphins are released through your body and blood is pumped to your brain, which lifts your mood and helps you think more clearly.

3. Diet

Your diet and mental health are closely related. Eating quality foods such as vegetables, fruit and lean protein helps to lift your mood, energy and concentration levels. Fresh is best.

4. Get a good night’s sleep

When it comes to mental health, sleep is a game changer. A good night’s sleep helps you feel refreshed. It also boosts your mental and emotional resilience; helps you deal with daily challenges and improves the relationships you have with the people around you. Try to practise good sleeping habits, like going to bed at a regular time each night (preferably before 10pm) and limiting screen time – leave devices out of the bedroom.

5. Reduce stress

Stress affects people in different ways. While it’s normal to feel stressed sometimes, severe and ongoing stress can lead to mental health problems.

Proactively schedule ‘time out’ in your calendar each week will help you rejuvenate. Make the most of this ‘down time’ to reflect, meditate, or do something special for yourself to help keep your mind healthy.

6. Be mindful

Mindfulness is focusing on the present. It’s about having awareness of your thoughts and learning to focus your attention to where you want it. Practising mindfulness in your day-to-day life can reduce stress and improve your physical and mental health. Why not try listening to a mindfulness podcast on your commute in the morning?

Although mindfulness has its merits, psychological research has also revealed that in some circumstances it’s important to be mindless. That is, as we develop skill in complex tasks, we can perform them with increasing facility until attention seems to be unnecessary. Everyday examples range from riding a bike to chopping cucumbers to brushing your teeth.

7. Ask for help

If emotional or behavioural problems are significantly disrupting yours or a loved one’s life, it’s important to get help from a professional early. Any ongoing and significant changes can be a sign that you or them may have, or are developing, a mental health issue.

HOW CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE AND ACUPUNCTURE SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH

Chinese Medicine always treats the individual and not the disease. The beauty of Chinese Medicine is that there are no set point formulas or herbal prescriptions…the treatment is really based on the individual. It’s like making a beautiful meal: the points and herbs work synergistically to create something that is larger than the individual ingredients.