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Business
Consider a goal for improved mental health: Steve Gamble
Mental health
in the New Year
With print business owners and managers sure to be operating in a high pressure environment in 2020, mental health advocate Steve Gamble says there are simple ways we can ensure we are well grounded.
As we welcome in the new year, some of us use the time to reflect, reset, and introduce lifestyle changes.
I think most people, including myself, set at least one health goal every new year, usually along the lines of drinking less, improving our diet, or exercising more regularly.
While we are quick to consider our physical health, one part most of us do not consider is a goal for improved mental health.
It is important to remember that just like physical health your mental health or mental wellness takes work. If you imagine your physical health is on a spectrum – one side is poor physical health and the other
is good physical health – it takes effort and work to keep yourself on that good side of the spectrum. Well, this is no different with your mental health – sometimes we can neglect this, which is an integral part of everyday well-being.
Some simple tips for keeping yourself in good mental health:
➜ Get regular sleep: Most healthy
adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep per night to function at their best.
➜ Regular exercise: As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.
➜ Eat a healthy diet: The best way to eat for health is to choose a variety of foods from each of the five food groups every day.
➜ Limit your alcohol intake: A simple way to achieve this is to
give yourself nominated alcohol-
free days every week.
➜ Set yourself achievable goals: Set yourself realistic goals, with a stepped plan on how you will achieve each of your goals.
➜ Keep in touch with friends and family: With social media
it easy to think we are keeping in touch, but I am here to tell you that looking at a news feed on Facebook and seeing that your friend or family members have got a new puppy or been on a family holiday to Fiji is not keeping connected. Make a conscious decision to pick up the phone and connect with someone each day.
“I am here to tell you looking at a news feed on Facebook and seeing that your friend or family members have got a new puppy or been on a family holiday to Fiji is not keeping connected.”
– Steve Gamble, Man Anchor
➜ Do what makes you happy: Find something in your life that brings you personal joy, and set aside one ortwohoursaweektodoit.Itcan be something a little indulgent or selfish, but it needs to bring you genuine joy. It is wonderful way to be able to reset.
➜ Understand your own limitations: With the hundreds of men and women I speak to
in my work with Man Anchor, understating your own limitations is a huge driver to not veering to the negative side of the spectrum,
which is mostly born from financial pressure and the obsession we have with keeping up with Joneses.
A large percentage of people live
an unsustainable lifestyle, both financially and physically, to emulate someone else’s perception of happiness. Live your own happy and sustainable life.
➜ Control your work environment: For some of us this is the key to happiness – being able to find a balance between your professional life and personal life.
➜ Talk: Having the ability to communicate about your own wellbeing is key to positive mental health and flexing your emotional muscle. It also provides a green light for those around us to start
a positive conversation around
mental health.
➜ Understand the signs: Having
a basic knowledge of the more common signs and symptoms of a mental health disorder is vital to self care. It provides us with the tools to seek support or make lifestyle changes, as well as the ability to support those around us during difficult times with empathy and compassion.
➜ Seek help if you need it: Help and support is there in so many forms, from family and friends to health professionals like your GP or psychologist. You also have organisations such as Lifeline that are there 24/7, 365 days a year on 131 114.
Have a safe and Happy New Year, and remember – “a simple conversation could potentially save a life”. 21
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