Calling all Australians 🇦🇺 In 2018 we spent 5.9 billion hours on social media. Whilst this is a great platform for getting inspiration and communicating with loved ones, it’s also having a detrimental affect on our mental health.
Research has shown that social media can impact our self esteem, affect our sleep, change our human interaction and make us unhappy.
So next time you feel like checking Snapchat, Instagram or Tinder, pause and take a look out the window, there’s a whole world out there to be discovered.
Mindfulness helps to improve our concentration and reduce ruminating thoughts that can lead to stress.
The key is to focus only on the present moment and not get lost in your thoughts, for example, concentrate on what’s happening around you, what can you hear or feel. You could get into a habit of doing this every day whilst you’re brushing your teeth.
Researchers have shown that practicing mindfulness helps to reduce anxiety and depression and that when you train your brain to be mindful you are actually changing the structure of your brain.
If you would like more help or information please pop by and see me in clinic.
Don’t carry last years baggage into the new year 🛍
With the new year in full swing it’s time to declutter your bag. We’re all guilty of stowing away papers, receipts, tissues, pens, lipsticks💄But when was the last time you had a good clean out?
By going through your purse and removing non-essential items you can not only organise your bag, but also declutter your mind. So that next time you’re looking for your keys they’ll come up straight away.
Begin the new year with a fresh and organised mindset by starting with the everyday small tasks.
For more information and advice on mental health please pop by and see me in clinic.
Volunteering.. it’s free, it’s fun and it’s fulfilling!
One of the proudest moments I’ve had this year was when I was a volunteer doctor for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. It allowed me to meet new people and engage with different cultures as well as provide a beneficial service.
We’re so lucky, in Queensland there are some great initiatives out there that are desperately in need of volunteers. From being a Bunnings BBQ volunteer, to Christmas gift wrapper for the Leukaemia Foundation, to volunteering for the Cerebral Palsy League’s upcoming show, there’s plenty out there!
Whether it’s an hour of your time, or a weekend, by volunteering you get the opportunity to socialise with new people as well as lending a helping hand. All of which feel very satisfactory and leave a positive impact on mental health.
If you have any concerns or would like to find out more please pop by and see me in clinic.
