Keeping your mental health healthy

Here are some everyday tips that you can use to build your healthy mental health space. Check out what tips may work for you…it can help you build those coping strategies that can help you bounce back better when things get tough… and remember it takes practice to become better at anything😊

“Get into life”

Set a goal or task that you want to achieve for the day – it can be something small like making your bed, going for a walk or calling a friend. Use this time to try some new hobbies and keep doing the things you love as best you can like reading, drawing or exercising.

“Learn skills for those tough times”

It might be helpful to learn new coping skills to maintain and improve wellbeing. Try journaling thoughts and feelings, practice some breathing exercises, explore mental health apps or websites, create a new routine, or take a digital detox.

“Connect with others”

Feeling connected to others makes us feel good. While we can’t physically connect with friends and loved ones at the moment, there’s so many other ways to stay connected. Try connecting by video chat through or try a phone call with friends and family. Online video and board games can be used to connect with others too.

“Eat well”

There is plenty of research that proves that eating well improves your mood, your health and your mental health…

Cut back on eating unhealthy snacks! It’s good to develop coping strategies that are not related to food. Make sure your diet includes things like colourful fruits and vegetables, foods high in fibre (wholegrain cereals and bread, beans, chickpeas, lentils and nuts), fermented foods like unsweetened yogurt, olive oil, and fish (tinned is fine).

“Stay active”

Try doing an online fitness program or a yoga class on Instagram Live, challenge your friends to a push up challenge, get outside for fresh air or have a living room dance party – all great free ways to keep up physical and mental health.

Staying active can boost your mental health…

“Get enough Sleep”

In the last week we covered the basics of sleep…sleep isincredibly importantto support your mental health.

Try to stick with a sleep routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same timeas much as possible and aim for at least 8 hours of sleep a night.Switch off from electronics 30-60 mins before bed.

“Cut back on alcohol and other drugs”

Alcohol and other drugs can have a big impact on your mental health…

Increase your awareness of your use, if you are using alcohol and other drugs… try taking a short break – start with a few days and then try a week, consider alternatives like herbal tea, water or a smoothie, and find new activities to keep you engaged…reach out for help and call a youth counselling agency or drug and alcohol counselling service

Adapted from Headspace ‘How to cope with stress’