08 Sep 2021

As locky D has paid us a visit for a much longer time than we anticipated, we’re starting to put pressure on ourselves to do better in our day to day activities. Whether that’s going for walks every single day, drinking 2L of water, making our bed, getting off social media, y’know the things we do on a normal day that have become slightly tougher in these current living conditions.

 

Or maybe some things are getting to us a bit more than they usually would. Your parents might be arguing more often than not being stuck between four walls, the news dampens our spirits to a point where we’re unable to process it and our mental and physical health are no longer in unison.

Well, in light of R U OK? Day and the stress we're carrying everyday, Year13 have put together some strategies to try out when things get a little overwhelming. Unwind, grab a cuppa and find what works the best for your wellbeing.

1. Self-care

There’s a difference between taking care of yourself and self-indulging and honestly, doing or eating whatever you love during this time shouldn’t be shamed upon. But practicing self-care does nourish your soul and makes you feel ten times better. That might be going to sleep earlier or soaking up the sun on a warmer day. Here are the strategies in depth:

Exercise
According to the Department of Health, only three in four adults stayed active during 2020. Exercising can be used as an escape and is obviously a good way to aid weight management, improve memory and brain functionality as well get your blood pumping. Okay, your daily walks might be a bit repetitive but try something different - pilates, weights, HIIT workouts - anything that fulfills you. Plus, it'll get you sleeping better and waking up refreshed!

Hanging out with a pet
One word, serotonin. Your four-legged best pals will ultimately stabilise your mood and happiness. This is only a short period in your life but this is a huge chunk in their lifetime - give them the life they deserve, play fetch a hundred times over or take ‘em to the dog park to share some glorious times.

 

Eat nutritious foods
They don’t have to be boring. Whip up an acai bowl if that’s your go-to beach brekkie or maybe overnight oats keeps you fueled up - literally anything that you know your body responds well to, bloody do it (cheese is an exception… everyone loves cheese).

Take baths, put in a hair mask, shave - just keep up with your personal hygiene
Any of the above will make you feel like a new person and in a good way! Stress can cause you to put them off but they are ways to make you feel relaxed, clean and rejuvenated. Whether that’s shaving your facial hair, popping on after shave or getting into bed with fresh sheets - don’t put these off and take full advantage of ‘em while you have the time.

2. Mindfulness

When the world gets a bit much, we generally deal with what’s happening around us with dark humour or memes. And you know what? If those coping methods work for you - go for it, but there does come a time when we have to face some confronting news and here are some effective methods for when you need ‘em:

Meditation and yoga
To achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state - try these out. They can eliminate the jumbled thoughts that occupy your mind and are great for your mental and physical health. I know some people snoot their nose up to it saying they don’t need it or think it’s a bit of mumbo jumbo but there’s no hurt in being open to trying it!

Become aware of your senses and surroundings
Be in the present by feeling, hearing, tasting, seeing and smelling whatever is near you. Feel the rings on your fingers, the tension in your upper back, the birds chirping, anything around your room that sparks joy - relax and sit in gratitude for a short moment.

Practice better self-talk
Your internal monologue and dialogue is a powerful thing and teaching yourself to not be so negative will build your confidence, improve your attitude and encourage your motivation. Challenge your thoughts and focus on different affirmations each day!

3. Creativity

Dabbling into your creative side and expressing yourself is fulfilling and super beneficial on a psychological level. If you’re doing things to enhance your motor skills or just tuning out, you’ll surprise yourself with your talent, skill and personal taste. Our suggestions to keep the creative juices flowing are:

Listening to music or a podcast
Whether you’re singing along to your 2000’s So Fresh albums (sorry, this is extremely niche) or listening to a true crime story, as long as you’re doing something for you, that’s all that matters. Whatever you’re into defines you and that adheres to your creative spirit, so go hither and pump up the jams.

Bake or cook
Even if you think you’re bad at it - give it a crack. It’ll either be the best banana or focaccia you’ve ever baked or a funny story to tell (mine generally goes the latter) but it gets you thinking. Baking and cooking are essentially art forms so eyeball your ingredients, measure garlic with your heart and have fun while doing it!

A stressed out brain is not a productive brain so take some time out for yourself to better your mental and physical wellbeing.

We at Year13 encourage anyone struggling to speak out about their mental health - reach out to these guys for a chat:

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

MensLine Australia 1300 789 978

Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36

Headspace 1800 650 890