Look after yourself: In the post-COVID world looking after your mental health and wellbeing is more important than ever.
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Holistic health councillor and highly qualified critical care nurse Angela Peris is submitting a regular a column to the Courier. This week she is looking at the importance of good mental health.
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Now more than ever, people are struggling with mental health issues every day.
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected people in many ways. Long lockdowns, social isolation and disconnection from family and friends has aggravated anxiety, depression and loneliness, especially in our little country towns.
Sadly, mental health issues can lead to severe depression, self-harm and suicide, which leave families and communities heartbroken.
Emotional traumas, childhood issues, physical and mental abuse can contribute to feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, feeling disempowered and a lack of motivation.
As much as we are faced with mental health issues, many are struggling to find comfort in appropriate support services out here in country Victoria and New South Wales.
Knowing how to elevate your EQ (emotional quotient), which is your emotional wellbeing, may help to lift your spirits to feel better and enjoy life more. Having a higher EQ will help you balance and stabilise your emotions.
Here's six helpful tips to elevate your EQ:
Write down five things that makes you happy – go for a walk, read a book, call a friend, play a musical instrument or listen to music. Whatever makes you happy. Whenever you start to feel down, depressed or sad, do one of the things on your list;
Go for a walk – walking and breathing fresh air helps your brain to release serotonin, which is a neuro-transmitter. Serotonin helps enhance your mood and makes you happy. It’s when our serotonin levels go down we start to feel sad and depressed;
Be positive – see the glass half-full instead of half-empty. Things happen for a reason. See the lesson or the message in your challenges or adversities. It may have led to something better for you. There is a lesson in every situation;
Find your passion – do the things you love to do. Do what makes you happy and what is important to you. Stop trying to please others and getting disappointed. If you spend time doing what you love you will feel satisfied with what you have achieved;
Forgive and let go – this is very powerful. As long as you harbour anger, resentment, blame and jealousy it will continue to destroy your life – not the other person’s life. Forgiveness does not mean you have to hug and make up or you condone someone’s behaviour. It means that you no longer let that person, event or situation control your life or your emotions. Just let go and focus on your future and your journey. It’s like driving your car looking through the front windscreen not the rear-view mirror; and
Write down four goals for 2023 – set four achievable goals. Lose five kilograms in six months, go on an overseas vacation or de-clutter and clean up the house or yard.
Do what makes you happy. Life is too short – enjoy your journey. Smile often and laugh out loud.
If you or someone you know is experiencing issues around mental health you can contact Accessline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
