Enjoying mental health means
having a sense of wellbeing, being able to function during everyday life and
feeling confident to rise to a challenge when the opportunity arises. Just like
your physical health, there are actions you can take to increase your mental
health. Boost your wellbeing and stay mentally healthy by following a few
simple steps.
1.Connect with others.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with people around you who will
support and enrich your life. The quality of our personal relationships has a
great effect on our wellbeing. Putting time and effort into building strong
relationships can bring great rewards.
2.Take time to enjoy. Set
aside time for activities, hobbies and projects you enjoy. Let yourself be
spontaneous and creative when the urge takes you. Do a crossword; take a walk
in your local park; read a book; sew a quilt; draw pictures with your kids;
play with your pets – whatever takes your fancy.
3.Participate and share
interests. Join a club or group of people who share your interests. Being
part of a group of people with a common interest provides a sense of belonging
and is good for your mental health. Join a sports club; a band; an evening
walking group; a dance class; a theatre or choir group; a book or car club.
4. Contribute to your
community. Volunteer your time for a cause or issue that you care about.
Help out a neighbour, work in a community garden or do something nice for a
friend. There are many great ways to contribute that can help you feel good
about yourself and your place in the world. An effort to improve the lives of
others is sure to improve your life too.
5. Take care of yourself. Be active and eat well –
these help maintain a healthy body. Physical and mental health are closely
linked; it’s easier to feel good about life if your body feels good. You don’t
have to go to the gym to exercise – gardening, vacuuming, dancing and
bushwalking all count. Combine physical activity with a balanced diet to
nourish your body and mind and keep you feeling good, inside and out.
6. Challenge yourself. Learn a new skill or take on a
challenge to meet a goal. You could take on something different at work; commit
to a fitness goal or learn to cook a new recipe. Learning improves your mental
fitness, while striving to meet your own goals builds skills and confidence and
gives you a sense of progress and achievement.
7. Deal with stress. Be
aware of what triggers your stress and how you react. You may be able to avoid
some of the triggers and learn to prepare for or manage others. Stress is a
part of life and affects people in different ways. It only becomes a problem
when it makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed. A balanced lifestyle can help
you manage stress better. If you have trouble winding down, you may find
that relaxation breathing, yoga or meditation can help.
8. Rest and refresh. Get plenty of sleep. Go to bed
at a regular time each day and practice good habits to get better sleep. Sleep restores both your mind and body. However,
feelings of fatigue can still set in if you feel constantly rushed and
overwhelmed when you are awake. Allow yourself some unfocussed
time each day to refresh; for example, let
your mind wander, daydream or simply watch the clouds go by for a while.
It’s OK to add ‘do nothing’ to your to-do list!
9. Notice the here and now. Take a moment to notice
each of your senses each day. Simply ‘be’ in the moment – feel the sun and wind
on your face and notice the air you are breathing. It’s easy to be caught up
thinking about the past or planning for the future instead of experiencing the
present. Practising mindfulness, by focusing your attention on being in the
moment, is a good way to do this. Making a conscious effort to be aware of your
inner and outer world is important for your mental health.
10. · Ask for help. This
can be as simple as asking a friend to babysit while you have some time out or
speaking to your doctor (GP) about where to find a counsellor or community mental
health service. The perfect, worry-free life does not exist. Everyone’s life
journey has bumpy bits and the people around you can help. If you don’t get the
help you need first off, keep asking until you do.
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