This article will take about one minute to read

It’s no surprise that the current health and economic situation is causing many Australians to spend a lot of time worrying about the future and when we may emerge from a world that is very unfamiliar to us all.

Lockdowns and social distancing have been embraced by many and so far, the result has been incredible in terms of keeping our population safe from nasty viruses.

We have a very robust and supportive community that ensures many of those who have trouble dealing with the current problems of isolation and distancing can call upon help when its required. Our social security and community support programs are designed to help people in need of support when things get tough.

There are a few strategies you can adopt or pass on to people who you think can benefit from positive ideas and recommendations during this period of uncertainty.

• It’s only temporary – things will return to normal and we just have to work through a period of challenge
• What you do also helps your community – keep up the great work
• You have many ways of staying connected – start to explore ways to keep in touch with friends and family
• Gets some sunlight and fresh air
• Sleep is very important – try and get into a healthy sleep routine
• If you are working from home, take a break from the PC and walk around
• Don’t spend too much time analyzing news or social media reports
• Eat healthy – veges and fresh fruit
• Explore some herbal infusions such as teas and remedies
• Keep the caffeine level to a minimum
• Likewise, keep the weekly alcohol intake to special days only

When things get really tough, reach out to your family and friends. Don’t ignore your feelings if you are starting to feel overwhelmed. If you’ve had past mental health issues, things you should do are;

• Activate your support network immediately
• Acknowledge your feelings and do something about it
• There are many great associations and Government services ready to help.

Contact professionals who can guide you through a difficult period and continue to work on strategies that will help to maintain calm while we all work through this period of challenge.

Be safe and stay healthy