Looking after your mental health

Stress, anxiety, depression, unwillingness to interact socially and lack of physical activity. These symptoms may indicate that your mental health needs some tender, loving care. 

On August 1, CBD residents heard from four specialists, Dr Hugh Leslie from CBD Doctors, Tristan Chooi from Reimagine Psychology, mental health counsellor Arman Rashid and the City of Melbourne’s wellbeing and mental health coordinator Ruairi Cleary.

A clear message came out of the event. Taking the time and effort to attend to your mental wellbeing has a positive impact on your happiness, longevity and healthspan.  

The topic of mental health is large and complex. A small article such as this can only cover some of the main points. We all have ups and downs in life. Happy days and down-in-the-dumps days. However, if you are generally enjoying life, feel largely contented with your lot and have periods of happiness, you are most probably mentally healthy too.  

What can I do to improve my mental health?

Being aware of the status of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Take some time to think about the state of your mental wellbeing. What follows is a check list. Are you:

• Exercising regularly?
• Sleeping well for seven to nine hours per day?
• Eating healthy foods and avoiding stimulants?
• Addressing anxiety and depression with talk therapy, lifestyle changes or medical treatment?
• Addressing chronic stress with positive changes that aim to remove the cause of the stress?
• Ensuring that you have an active social life? Humans thrive when they are interacting with others.
• Building strong and positive relationships with others and contributing to your community?
• Promoting positive mental states through such activities as meditation and positive thinking?

What is going on in my head? The gentle art of positive thinking

Did you know that you have two brains? There is the autonomous brain that keeps you functioning without you having to make a special effort. The things that this brain just does without you having to intervene. More than just keeping your heart beating and bodily functions working, your brain also has learned tasks. Your daily habits and skills.  Those of us who type, for instance, just type out our thoughts without having to worry about where the letters are on the keyboard. It is your autonomous brain that allows you to do this remarkable thing.

Then there is the other brain. That brain is the one that talks to you. The so called “voice in your head”. It is sometimes quite imaginative. “Oh, my goodness, what happens if I don’t convince the boss that my idea will work?” 

The voice in your head that can cause stress and worry. Or it may even come up with creative ideas to challenge you, or it may even get you all excited about a new and interesting adventure.

You need to pay attention to the ideas and thoughts generated by the free-flowing thoughts in your head. Be attentive and sometimes critical of what “the voice” is saying.  When you are stressed, the same bleak story can be going round and round in your head.  This is where the positive thinking can be called into force.  You need to actively challenge the negativity. 

Techniques such as slow mindful breathing or attentive positive thoughts can be used to counter the brain-generated negative ones. 

What do you mean by “gratitude practice” and “living in the moment”?

These are techniques that have the power to help you feel happy. Remind yourself during the day about the little things for which you are grateful. This is essentially the old adage to “count your blessings”.  That second brain often dominates, coming up with thoughts you may not want to address right now. By living in the moment, breathing slowly and consciously, you can let those worrying thoughts float by. Such techniques bring calm into your life. A little rest from the hurley burley and worries of normal life.

Problem solving

Sometimes life seems impossible to cope with. Your problems may seem insurmountable. Your emotions come into play. That can make the way ahead even more challenging. The solution is to become “the analyst”. Break down your problems into small pieces. Then focus on tackling one small task at a time. Making many small steps relieves tension and rewards you along the route towards your goal.

Although mental health in human beings is an extremely complex area and it is not something that we tend to discuss with others, a few simple techniques and attention to your general body health can keep your mind health in tip top condition.

The next Forum 3000 event is the Annual General Meeting 

Taking place on September 5, 6pm at the Kelvin Club. As part of Residents 3000 tradition, we welcome the current Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece. For more information, go to the website at residents3000.com.au.

Hire e-scooters to be banned in the CBD

The Council should be applauded for listening to resident’s concerns about the safety of rented scooters that were being ridden on crowded footpaths instead of the road and were taking up space, being left in unsupervised areas adding to unnecessary city clutter. •