Women’s Health – how are you?

During Women’s Health Week (6 – 10 September 2021), it’s important to remember that we not just focus on our physical health, but also pay close attention to our mental health. As the first ever Director General of the World Health Organisation once said, “without mental health there can be no true physical health.”

Our health is so much more than just our weight, how much we exercise and our blood pressure. Not only should we be looking after our physical health, but we also need to look after our mental health – particularly now during COVID.  

So, how does your mental health stack up?

Did you know that mental health concerns are steadily growing in communities across Australia? Figures from the ABS show that in 2014-2015, there were about four million Australians who reported that they had a mental or behavioural condition, and four years later this number went up to 4.8 million in 2017-2018 – that’s a whopping one in five of us experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders or just feeling out of sorts and lacking motivation.  With COVID and lockdowns, that number is rising rapidly.

Depression and anxiety disorders remain the most common mental illnesses in the country and when left unmanaged, can cause serious grief and pain for sufferers.

Time to put more emphasis on Women’s Mental Health

You’ll go to the gym for an hour and exercise your biceps, so why is it a struggle for so many people to spend 60 minutes a week exercising their brain? Considering one in five of us are experiencing poor mental health, there should be no shame or taboo in openly seeking to work toward positive mental health the same way we go about improving our physical health.

There are so many documented benefits for keeping your mind as healthy as your body. For one, science has established that physical and mental health are closely linked. The healthier your mind is, the faster your body will recover from injuries and sickness. Poor mental health is a big risk factor in acquiring and coping with long-term health problems. In the same manner, poor physical health can also affect your mental health.

A sound mind is also critical to carrying out everyday necessities like maintaining employment and raising a family. The healthier your mind is, the more successful you’re bound to be at work, and the better you will be at managing social relationships. When you have good mental health, it usually means you’re more able to cope with stressful situations, manage problems and find solutions, find energy for physical activity and maintain family ties and friendships.

Are you ready to make your mental health a priority?

So, let’s start your own mental health fitness program.  Here are a few tips below:

1. Practice good communication and engage in conversations — talking to loved ones or professionals and letting them know what’s going on with you is important for good mental health. Studies have shown that those who seek help for their psychological problems and build a support system recover well. Going into counselling, getting regular GP check-ups or maintaining a social network are all positive steps towards getting to the root of your problems and creating strategies to cope or diminish them.

2. Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily — physical activity delivers oxygen to your brain which helps improve memory, reaction times, reasoning and logic. If you are like me and dislike gyms, just go for a walk, dance to your favourite music or take the dog for a walk. Remember, doing housework is incidental exercise and it all adds up.  Our parents and grandparents never went to a gym and they were still fit.   Another great way of working in physical activity to your day as well as having some fun is to go back to your childhood and play games such as hopscotch, hula hoops, or use a skipping rope.  

3. Challenge your mind – like your body, your mind also needs exercise – use it or lose it. So try to limit your time on social media and instead read a good book, learn a new craft or a new language, or engage in mentally stimulating activities like crossword puzzles or chess. These activities all stretch your brain’s abilities and exercise your mental skills, as well as help you develop social skills. Hobbies that require light movement such as gardening or crafts are also great ways to stimulate the mind!

4. Increase your vitamin B intake — vitamin B is essential for good mental health, and can be found in foods like dark, leafy green vegetables, wholegrain cereals, dairy products, red meat and legumes. Aside from vitamin B, a well-balanced diet with alcohol in moderation is always the best way to maintain optimum health. I know this is all very boring, but you will be surprised how much it helps.

If you want to kick start your mental health fitness program today and need someone to help you identify the cause for your dissatisfaction, unhappiness or stress and show you some easy and practical methods to make positive changes to your life, contact me for a confidential chat.