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12 tips for your mental wellbeing this festive season.

Posted 30 Nov 2021

The festive season can be both exciting and daunting.

For some it can be a time of stress, anxiety and loneliness. This year, with many family and friends still separated by Covid-19, it’s more important than ever to look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Mentally Healthy WA, through the Act Belong Commit mental health promotion campaign, is encouraging Western Australians to reach out and support one another during the holidays.

Here are 12 tips to help you and your loved ones to keep mentally healthy:

• • Give kindness over gifts – Small things matter and can make a big difference in someone’s day. Write a kind note, stay calm on the road and within crowds, offer to help if you can.
  • Start a new tradition – Connect with your friends, family or neighbours for a game of cricket or put on a picnic with Christmas leftovers.
  • Celebrate virtually. If you can’t gather at Grandmas’ house, set up your computer or phone and be with each other virtually. Google ideas and get creative on how you can connect and have fun.
  • Stay active – During the silly season we often overlook our physical health. Take time to go for a walk, bike ride or get out in the garden.
  • Reconnect with family and friends – Make a call to someone you haven’t seen in ages. Reach out to neighbour or friend who may be alone this Christmas.
  • Giving feels good – Make a difference by organising a charity collection with your family or workplace. Contact a local charity to find out what’s needed this year.
  • Make time for you – Don’t forget to reconnect with yourself during the busy holiday period. Do something relaxing or practice mindfulness in any way that feels best for you. Try some yoga or schedule time out to read a book.
  • Plan for the future – Reflect on the year so far and think about how you can prioritise your mental health & wellbeing in 2022.
  • Try something new – Challenge yourself this festive season. Learn a new card game or tackle a puzzle with your family and friends.
  • Focus on what you can control – Limit your time dwelling on what you can’t control. If you can’t be with loved ones (again) this holiday season plan to do something you can control – set up a zoom or teams invite or pick up the phone.
  • Spend time in nature – Connecting with nature has fantastic mental health and wellbeing benefits. Get outside as much as you can this festive season to appreciate the fresh air and wonders of nature.

• Make Act Belong Commit your motto for 2022 – Being active, having a sense of belonging and having a purpose in life all contribute to good mental health and wellbeing.

“Whilst the festive season can present many challenges for people around connecting with others, it also draws attention to the importance of having a sense of belonging – whether that’s with family or friends.

For some, this will be the second year in a row that family and friends may be separated, but it’s still important to reach out and connect in any way that is available,” says Associate Professor, Christina Pollard, Director of Mentally Healthy WA.

About Act Belong Commit:

Act Belong Commit is directed from Curtin University’s Mentally Healthy WA. Funded by Healthway and the Mental Health Commission, the Act Belong Commit campaign promotes mental health by reminding us to regularly:

• ACT: Do something to keep mentally, physically, socially, spiritually and culturally active.
• BELONG: Do something with someone to keep connected to friends, family and community.
• COMMIT: Do something meaningful – get involved in activities that provide meaning and purpose.

Get on the front foot and prioritise your mental health and wellbeing today. Visit www.actbelongcommit.org.au where you’ll find helpful information including hundreds of activities you can do to improve your mental health.