THE LIVING WELL LIBRARY
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mental wellbeing
We all experience stress, changes and challenges in our lives at some point. Sometimes this can be overwhelming. Other times it can be small and manageable. Even positive life events can be stressful at times.
That’s why self-care is important – it’s about dedicating time to care for yourself.
| Self-care activity | |
|---|---|
| Taking time out for yourself | What do you do to relax? |
| Mindfulness | Is there a time of day you can put aside to practise being mindful? |
| Social support | Think about who you connect with and ways you find support. |
| Hobbies and activities | Do you have something you like to do for fun? |
| Exercise and physical activity | Think of an exercise you really enjoy. |
| Values | What do you value in different areas of your life? |
| Self-efficacy | List some things you are confident about within yourself, or things you are confident doing. |
| Time management | Make a plan for your day. Break big tasks into smaller bits. |
| Dealing with setbacks | Refer to you Plan B plan. Add you setbacks to this, and think of a Plan B action. |
| Nutrition | Check in to see if you are giving your body what it needs. Plan some meals or snacks you find nourishing. |
Mindset is also another self-care consideration as it plays a key role in how we see the world, our decision making, motivation and even our emotions. While our mindset might not be on show, our actions and attitudes are clearly visible.
The important thing to remember is that you can change your mindset at any time – that power lies within all of us. So, from time to time, check in on your own mindset to reflect, reboot and replace negative thoughts with positive thinking.
Social connected is another factor that supports our mental and physical wellbeing.
Numerous studies have now found that social connectedness and healthy relationships are as important as maintaining other health habits because when we’re lonely, we’re more vulnerable to anxiety, depression and even illness.
Humans are generally social by nature and look for inclusivity and a sense of purpose and belonging. As human beings, we are wired to connect with others. The strongest social connections are the ones we share with people who are concerned about our happiness and well-being. These relationships help provide hope, inspiration and acceptance, helping to relieve stress.
Social connections are not just about family or friends. It can include neighbours, the broader community or being part of a club or group.
Want more information and support?
When you’re feeling stressed, it’s important to talk to someone and ask for help if you need it. This might be a family member, friends, your GP, a counsellor, or a therapist. Beyond Blue provides a telephone counselling service and can be reached on 1300 22 4636.
Lifeline provides a crisis support and suicide-prevention service on 13 11 14. Open Ground provides mindfulness training at openground.com.au. Some courses can be accessed through a 10-session mental-health care plan through your GP.
Other mental health services and support can be found on the Queensland Government website.
