Take Note of Your Mental Health on World Mental Health Day

October the 10^th acknowledges World Mental Health Day. With a larger focus on mental health over the last few years, now it is more important than ever to be aware of your mental state, and seek help to improve it if necessary.

Organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of world-wide mental health issues and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.       

This year’s focus is to “Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority”, as many aspects of mental health have been severely challenged over the last few years. The COVID-19 pandemic created a global mental health crisis, with over 29.0 million MBS-subsidised mental health-related services processed between 16 March 2020 and 1 May 2022 in Australia alone.

Wellbeing Collective is an advocate for mental health and wellbeing, and have compiled some simple but effective ways to take care of yourself this World Mental Health Day.

1) Get enough sleep: Most people need around eight hours of sleep per night. Getting enough sleep can help improve mood, concentration, and energy levels. Read more here about how getting a good night’s sleep can improve your health.

2) Eat healthy: Eating nutritious foods helps the body to function at its best. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Find a number of healthy, mood-boosting recipes on the Wellbeing Collective website.

3) Exercise: Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. A moderate amount of exercise is the key to maintaining mental health. Just 30 minutes of aerobic activity per day can make a big difference. Check out our article on a recent study that has found that undertaking low-impact exercise more frequently per week is more effective at building muscle than one high-intensity session per week.  

Most importantly, reach out to loved ones to connect with people who care about you, or get professional help for ongoing mental health issues if necessary.

By Sarah Panther