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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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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