Page 70 - Tropic Magazine Issue 24

TROPIC • HEALTH

Here to help

MENTAL HEALTH
The COVID-19 crisis has created
uncertainty and anxiety,
but support is available at 7 tips for a healthy headspace
headspace Cairns. Stay active > Try doing an online Cut back on alcohol and drugs >
fitness program or a yoga class on Be mindful of your use of alcohol
If a young person needs to access Instagram Live, challenge your friends and other drugs during isolation.
support for their mental well-being, to a push up challenge, get outside for Try a short break - start with a few
headspace Cairns is here to help. fresh air or have a living room dance days and then try a week, consider
That’s the simple message from the party - all great, free ways to keep up alternatives like herbal tea, water or
dedicated team at headspace, regardless your physical and mental health. a smoothie, and find new activities to
of the changes to our lives caused by keep you engaged.
COVID-19. Get into life > Set a goal or task that
headspace is the National Youth Health you want to achieve for the day - it Create connections > While we can’t
Foundation providing early intervention can be something small like making physically connect with friends
mental health services to 12 - 25 year your bed, going for a walk or calling a and loved ones, there’s so many
olds. They can help young people with friend. Use this time to try some new other ways to stay connected. Try
mental health, physical health (including hobbies and keep doing the things connecting by video chat through
sexual health) alcohol and other drug you love as best you can like reading, Zoom or house party or try a phone
services, and work and study support. drawing or exercising. call with friends and family. Online
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Get enough sleep > Try to stick with a video and board games can be used to
headspace has delivered a combination sleep routine. Go to bed and wake up connect with others.
of in-person, online and phone at the same time as much as possible
services, as always. For young people and aim for at least 8 hours of sleep Eat well > Minimise unhealthy snacks
experiencing feelings of stress related to a night. Switch off from electronics while in isolation. It’s good to develop
COVID-19, headspace has also developed 30-60 minutes before bed. coping strategies that are not related
information which might be helpful to to food. Make sure your diet includes
manage any changes to daily life as a Learn skills for tough times > It might things like fruits and vegetables,
result of containment measures. be helpful to learn new coping skills foods high in fibre (wholegrain
to maintain and improve wellbeing. cereals and bread, beans, chickpeas,
MORE: Visit the headspace Try journaling thoughts and feelings, lentils and nuts), fermented foods like
website for more tips and practice breathing exercises, explore unsweetened yogurt, olive oil, and fish.
information at mental health apps, create a new
headspace.org.au routine, or take a digital detox.

Q&A
A young person, who wished support was big enough to enable Would you encourage other young
to remain anonymous, growth and personal development, people to utilise the service,
shares their experience with but small enough not to impact my especially during this period of
headspace. privacy in a social and career space. isolation and uncertainty?
When I first heard of headspace I was I strongly recommend headspace to
a grade 10 student studying at a local
Tell us about your experience school. This service was explained any young person who is struggling
with headspace… with mental health, especially
to me as a ‘safe space for young during this uncertain and isolating
My personal experience with people’ that dealt directly with mental time. You owe it to yourself to take
headspace has been a long health and all the issues that arise accountability for your life and your
running success over the course with adolescence, which I struggled feelings. Mental health can either
of almost four years. The support with intensely. Primarily being issues dictate your life, or dramatically
offered has made an exceptional surrounding my identity, sexuality and improve it. The first step is yours.
change to my quality of life. This family relationships.

70 • Tropic • Issue 24