Time to visit your mental elf these holidays?

As we slide towards the end of the year (and what a year) some of us are feeling exhausted both physically and mentally. There’s a sense that we just need to get through to the end of the year. Maybe this is just the time for you to make your priority for the summer vacation YOU! 

Make a list

Personally, I don’t know what I’d do without a good list. You can keep separate lists for your personal and professional life, and write a plan for your day or week (making sure to schedule in some downtime too). If you feel unmotivated or forget what the plan is, it’s easy for you to review and get back on track with a list.  I prefer pen and paper, but maybe you could use the notes section on your phone or explore some of the online list-making  tools.

Get outside

Every morning I do a circuit of my local park, sometimes with a friend, sometimes on my own; in silence, with a podcast, with awesome music. This is essential for my mental health. Not only does it set me up for the day, it gives me a sense of accomplishment knowing that I’ve got close to my target step count most days before 7.30am. I’ve been doing it so long my morning is now punctuated by familiar faces of people whose names I don’t know but each day we might exchange a smile, a wave or nod – connectedness social distance style.  You can read about some of the scientific benefits of getting outside – they’re pretty awesome!

Mental health review

It’s a difficult time for many of us at the moment, and it’s completely normal to have good days and bad days. When the bad days outweigh the good, or if you’re not quite feeling your best, consider being proactive in making choices that support your mental health. This year, eligible patients are able to access an additional 10 rebatable psychology sessions per calendar year. If you have already used your 10 sessions but feel you would benefit from more, discuss this with your GP. If you’d prefer to self-service, UTS Counselling has a range of self-help guides that cover topics such as motivation, loneliness, anxiety, stress and many other topics. Batyr also has some great resources on their site that will connect you with mental health support services.

Growth Mindset

What is growth mindset? Growth mindset is the idea that, with effort, it’s possible to increase intelligence levels, talents, and abilities. Students who demonstrate a growth mindset believe their abilities develop over time, tend to seek out opportunities to gain new knowledge and broaden their skills, and do not typically shy away from challenges (Kazakoff & Mitchell, 2017).  This may be the time for you to re-frame some things in your life or develop new skills; that book you hadn’t got round to reading or that new hobby you’ve been toying with. You can read more about the benefits of developing a growth mindset here

How we respond to change and uncertainty is within our control.  There has never been a better time than right now to find ways of eliminating stress and anxiety, and develop the mindset and skills for peak performance.  This was a year no one was expecting; a year where we have all been forced to adapt to a new way of life. And that new life can be a positive change – when you’re ready, grab it with both hands.  Hello 2021!

Featured image courtesy of Unsplash