Improving your mental wellbeing

Having good mental health is just as important as having good physical health. Our mental health influences how we think, feel and act. It can impact our work, relationships and our physical health. Having good mental health lifts your mood, equips you to deal with difficult situations and helps you get the most out of life.

About 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness in any given year. Almost half will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.

There are simple steps you can take to improve your mental wellbeing. Nutrition, physical activity and sleep all play a contributing part in how you feel each day. Take care of your body to improve your mental wellbeing in three different ways:

Eat well

Eating a balanced diet containing fruit and vegetables and reducing your junk food intake gives your brain the right balance of nutrients to work at its best. Nutritious food fuels your body to take on the day ahead both mentally and physically. For ideas on easy-to-make and healthy recipes visit Healthy Eating Active Living.

Be active

Exercise on a regular basis has been shown to improve mental health and wellbeing. It releases mood-boosting chemicals which make you feel good, lifts your spirits and improves your sleep.

All forms of exercise can improve your mental health, which means there are plenty of options to choose from such as:

• walking
• dancing
• soccer
• rugby
• tennis
• swimming
• resistance training
• running
• martial arts
• strength training

Taking part in an activity that you enjoy will give you a much better chance of sticking with it. If you don’t like exercising alone, do it with some friends and make it a social occasion.

Try to do 30 minutes of exercise each day. If you are time poor, break you exercise up into 10-minute sessions throughout the day. Even small amounts of activity make a difference and it all counts.

It’s important to see your doctor before starting a physical activity program if you have not been exercising regularly, are over 45 years-of-age, are pregnant, suffer from chest pain or breathlessness, or if you have health conditions.

Get more rest

It isn’t always easy getting a full night’s sleep, especially when you have young children, but getting enough sleep is important as it allows your body to recharge and recuperate.

Not getting enough sleep affects your mood and ability to concentrate, your energy levels and can also lead to anxiety and depression.

Try going to bed half an hour to an hour earlier and avoid scrolling on your phone 1-2 hours before you go to bed. Electronic devices emit a blue light which can disrupt your body’s natural sleep rhythms, in turn affecting your quality of sleep.

However, sometimes a healthy lifestyle just isn’t enough, and you may need extra support. It’s normal to have ups and downs but if you’re struggling with mental ill-health, RHBS is here to help.

Our Renew mental health coaching program is designed to support individuals at risk of, or currently experiencing, mental health conditions.

The program uses an evidence-based therapy to give you extra support that compliments your usual care from your GP, psychologist or psychiatrist.

Renew is run by our trusted provider, Valion Health, and is available at no additional cost on your RBHS Hospital cover.

 

References:

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/mental-health-and-wellbeing/understanding-mental-health

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/physical-activity-its-important

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep