3 ways to master your mind
There’s no sugar coating it, this year has been really rough for a lot of people. Maintaining good mental health and building resilience is more important than ever so here are some tips for looking after yourself and your loved ones.
Me-time
It’s time to reframe the idea of “selfishness” and embrace self-care. Supporting friends and family is important but sometimes people forget to prioritise themselves. Take time to treat yourself as you would treat other people. Give yourself a quiet half hour with a good book, a massage or even just an occasional long shower! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Relaxation has been linked to improved wellbeing so it’s actually important and not selfish.
Talk
It’s not only us that has an impact on our mental health, the wellbeing of family and friends can have a significant impact. R U OK? Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of having conversations about mental health. The R U OK? Foundation has a stack of resources to help start year-round conversations and guidance on how to respond if someone needs help. It can be a difficult question to ask but may just save a life.
Mind the mind
Stress and bad news can understandably send us into a spin but it doesn’t have to disrupt us too dramatically. Studies have shown that mindfulness can help us regulate our emotions and reactions. Mindfulness is a type of meditation that focuses on accepting how we feel and not pushing away difficult feelings. It may sound complicated but it’s actually surprisingly simple. Take a look at a guide from an organisation like Beyond Blue or Headspace and reach out to them if you need some in-person mindfulness help.
Mindfulness does not ask us to stop or control our thoughts, judgements or negative experiences. Rather, it asks that within our experiences, we simply pay attention to what is happening in the moment