Taking care of your mental health
There is no better time than now to take a moment to check in with yourself. How are you doing? Where are your stress levels at? And what is the most recent thing you did to support your mental health?
While becoming more common, conversations around mental health are still not something that we discuss enough.
Just like physical health, everyone has their own version of mental health. It looks different for all of us, from the things that trigger a decline in our mental health to the elements that support it. Unlike physical health, it can be very difficult from the outside to observe if someone is struggling with their mental health.
No matter where you are at, it is always a good idea to find ways that work for you to promote optimum mental health. Your state of mind will likely vary from day to day, so it is great to be aware of tools and habits that you can turn to when things get tough, as well as support you on the brighter days too.
A key tip that is often given to help support mental health is to be physical. If you are on-farm, the chances are that there is a huge physical aspect to your day-to-day, so you may feel that that particular factor has been covered. On the other hand, in addition to your daily work, there may also be a form of exercise that you love, such as running, lifting weights or even yoga. Whatever the case, being active can definitely help.
Beyond physical activity, here are three more ideas to help you support your mental health:
The best bit about these tips? You do not have to overhaul your life overnight. Adding elements that support your mental health into your daily life one small step at a time can make a long-term difference. It does not have to be an “all or nothing” approach.
Finally, if you take anything away from reading this piece at all, it is important to know that there are organisations around New Zealand that are here to help anyone that may be struggling with mental health. If you do not know where to turn, the following are just some of the great organisations/resources that are available:
- Rural Support Trust: http://www.rural-support.org.nz/
- Farm Strong: https://farmstrong.co.nz/
- Depression.org.nz: https://www.depression.org.nz/ - free text 4202
- Healthline: 0800 611 116 – to get help from a registered nurse 24/7
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666
*Please note: The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition.
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