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During May, we engage with our employees by sharing extensive resources, as well as introducing mindfulness activities to assist them in checking in with their mental health. We thought it would be a great idea to share some tips with you, our customers, on how you can continue the conversation on mental health with your loved ones during the month of May.
Looking after yourself is key when it comes to a healthier mindset. Perhaps you’ve been thinking about reaching out for professional support or starting to set healthy boundaries with your loved ones.
It could also mean making time for something you enjoy doing, connecting with loved ones or even taking up physical exercise. Whatever goal you’ve set for yourself, the month of May could be an opportune time to start working on making improvements towards your mental health.
You may have overbooked yourself with plans with friends or happen to take on more extra responsibilities at work; these things could lead to burn out if you’re not careful. Getting to the stage of setting healthy boundaries could better protect your mental health because you know what your limits are. It’s important to understand when to say ‘no’ and feel empowered by setting those boundaries early on.
Balancing the conflicting priorities of our personal and work lives can be challenging and all consuming. Mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment. Make the time to stop and focus on the moment. Some do this when they go for a walk before they go to bed or when they meditate. Regular mindfulness can have a positive impact on energy levels, sleep quality, awareness, memory, and productivity.
It’s important to have strong healthy relationships with others, including having good social support network. Besides family, friends and loved ones consider getting involved in your community, join a sporting team or an interest or hobby group.
While you may be busy with work and personal commitments, taking the time to speak with your loved ones about their mental health struggles could be the first step for them to seek help professionally. If you know someone that’s having difficulty with their mental illness, point them to helpful resources and services they could use.
There is a significant linkage between physical and mental health. Being active and taking part in exercise can help improve your wellbeing and boost your mood and energy levels. Getting enough quality sleep is also important for your overall wellbeing and to help with this, implement a routine and regular sleep schedule. Healthy eating and good nutrition will also help you feel better physically and could also improve your mental health.
One way to start the conversation on mental health is to promote awareness on social media. If you have a social media profile that you use on a regular basis, why not start the conversation by sharing your own experiences about your struggles? By sharing your story, you allow yourself to be vulnerable and open, as well as provide the opportunity for others to share their stories as well.
If you’re already an avid reader or happen to subscribe to daily podcasts, you may want to further educate yourself on finding books and podcasts centred around mental health and wellbeing.
Further educating yourself could allow you to feel more connected to the cause of mental health and feel empowered to share your knowledge with others. There are a lot of resources available including organisations including Black Dog Institute, Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Headspace.
