Six Practical Steps to Improve Your Wellbeing

From our conversations with those working in the Health, Community & Human Services sector, we understand that navigating the ever-changing landscape of 2020 during the height of the pandemic was no small feat.

Now that we are moving towards a COVID-normal, it is important to make sure that you are looking after your own mental health and not moving towards burnout.

Here are six practical tips to get you thinking about ways to include wellbeing in your everyday.

Use your support networks

Reach out to trusted family/friends/colleagues. Everyone experiences mental health issues to a greater or lesser degree. By maintaining those connections and regularly spending time with people you know and trust, you can experience an enormous boost to your wellbeing.

Carve out time for yourself

There are only 24 hours in a day and sometimes it can feel like that isn’t enough to do everything we need or want to. It can be easy to overlook your own needs when you’re busy worrying about looking after everyone else in your personal and professional life.

By creating that space for yourself, you can cultivate a deeper resilience and find that important balance in your life. It could be getting out of bed 15 minutes earlier to have a calming cup of tea in your favourite armchair or taking your lunch away from your work desk to sit outside and enjoy some fresh air. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s time just for you.

Use some simple grounding techniques

There are many kinds of grounding techniques but one of our personal favourites is called ‘5, 4, 3, 2, 1’.

This technique can be done anywhere and *almost* anytime. If your mind is too busy worrying, this technique can bring focus elsewhere for a moment. It can create the space needed to give brains, what we like to call, a micro-holiday.

If you are alone, you can say these things aloud, or if you are in the company of others, simply say them in your mind.

• Name 5 things you can see
• Name 4 things you can hear
• Name 3 things you can feel
• Name 2 things you can smell
• Name 1 thing you can taste

It’s really as simple as that and can make a big difference to your day.

Breathe purposefully

Remember to take some deep, purposeful breaths throughout the day. Science tells us that when we are focused on our breaths, we get the two-fold benefit of calming our nervous system and shifting our brains focus away from busy-thoughts, even just for a few moments.

Be gentle with yourself and others

In times of high stress, it can be easy to become hard on yourself – and worse – sometimes on others. Inhale those deep breaths we mentioned earlier, take a moment to observe your feelings, and try to come from a calm and kind perspective. You will feel better for it, and preserve your personal and professional relationships.

Short walks throughout the day, especially outside, have numerous benefits like overall improved fitness, and the chance to get out of the air conditioning of the office and into the fresh air of nature. Try to fit some time in for a stroll on your commute or on your lunch break.

Similarly, simple stretches can help ease muscle soreness/tension and protect your body from injury.

Please note that this article has been written to provide general tips to bring awareness to burnout and mental health. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing more serious symptoms, please reach out to your healthcare professional who will be able to provide specialised support and advice. Please click HERE to go to a list of Mental Health Resources (Australian Government – Department of Health).

Wellbeing insights from Johnson Recruitment

Johnson Recruitment is an independent recruitment and consulting firm specialising in the Community Services, Social Purpose, Health and Medical sectors, as well as in the recruitment of Practice Managers and support staff, across all sectors. Contact us on 03 9946 7320 or info@johnsonrecruitment.com.au to learn more about how we can assist you with a vacancy or new role today. Follow our LinkedIn and Facebook pages for more information and to keep up to date with the latest jobs, events and career advice.