Wellbeing Tips

Here are a couple of useful tips on how you can look after yourself in these challenging times.

Below are a few useful tips and links for your physical and mental health and maintaining social connection.

Please note that the idea is to try one or two things in each of the areas at a time. Try something that you think will work for you, if it does – stick to it. We'd rather you try this methodology than trying everything and being overwhelmed.

Connection

We know we can’t go to the Jack Young Centre or catch up at the Hub, but we can still talk to each other and maintain our social connections.

We can call, text, group chat, FaceTime, enrol in a Pen Pal program – use whatever works and get creative.

This is especially important if we’re not feeling OK or we’re worried about someone else.

Physical Health

• Stay active - create an exercise routine that can be completed at home, to maintain physical fitness and reduce stress.
  Keep moving in as many ways as possible. You don’t need to stop your regular workout routine. Just revise it. You will soon be amazed by the number of exercises you can do simply with a dining room chair, bag of rice or milk containers filled with sand or water.
  
  
• Active Ageing Australia – has resources including the ‘Moving for Life Your Way’ + ‘Active for Living’ Bundle $50
  
  
• Exercise Right at Home provides a range of free workout videos that have been created by ESSA (Exercise & Sports Science Australia) accredited exercise professionals. The workout videos offer a variety of programs such as strength training, aerobic activities and falls prevention exercises that can be completed right in your home. Visit the website for more information.

Mental Health

• Here are some simple steps Beyond Blue says you can take to look after your mental health, even in times of physical distancing or self-isolating.

• Staying connected with family and friends. If you can't do it face-to-face, maintain contact through email, social media, video conferencing or phone calls.
• Keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy foods.
• Try to maintain physical activity - even just going for a walk can help. Get some Vitamin D.
• Stick to the facts. Misinformation can fuel feelings of anxiety so it's important to seek information from credible sources such as government and health department websites.
• Limit your exposure to social media and news if you find it upsetting.

• Read the tip sheet for older adults from the Australian Psychological Society COVID-19 anxiety.

• There's a very good article on ‘Mental Health Hygiene tips’ from the World Economic Forum.
  
  We love it because it talks about how low-tech and even no-tech solutions matter a lot. eg. Go outside and appreciate nature (as allowed by your local guidelines) at a slower pace to get a daily dose of physical exercise, relaxation and vitamin D (‘get some sunshine on your face’).
  
  It also talks about how we have an opportunity to establish an even stronger and more resilient global community, one that practices both physical and mental hygiene.

• Call that relative or friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.