Steps to Better Health and Fitness | The Importance of Periodic Health Assessments 29 Relaxation and mindfulness Why do we need to use relaxation techniques? Imagine if you were constantly in a state of alert: the ‘Fight and Flight’ response which is so useful when faced with any threat, challenge, or demand means a rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, tense muscles, and systems such as digestion, immune and reproduction are turned off–a recipe for ill health! Relaxation and taking long deep breaths will activate your “Rest and Digest” response and return your equilibrium. Use strategies like mindfulness to focus on the present: take a moment throughout your day to stop and look around, notice things around you, what you see, hear and smell, while concentrating on your breathing-breathing slowly and calmly, breathing in, and breathing out. Scan the QR code for more information 5 Seeking help When your usual coping strategies aren’t working, or when your health, social life, or work are impacted with problem symptoms that last, it’s time to seek some support and professional advice. Utilise the available internal support services such as EAP, Peer Support Officers, NSWPF Mental Health Clinicians or a RECON psychologist. Also, your GP can help with a mental health care plan which will allow you access to 10 sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year. This is completely confidential and conducted outside of work. The new PULSE program–Early Access Treatment Initiative (EATI) pays any gap if fees not covered by Medicare. Getting help early on to avoid further decline in your health and wellbeing is important. Scan the QR code for more information 6 Reframing Our perception of an event influences our response to that situation. In other words, how we interpret and think about what is going on, and our feelings about that, directly influence our behaviour. The thoughts are often automatic so the first step in managing uncomfortable or unhelpful thoughts is learning to recognise our negative ‘self-talk’ and then challenge these to provide a more balanced, helpful thought and create necessary behaviour change. Scan the QR code for more information 3 Positive activities Develop a good work/life balance by setting clear boundaries to leave work at work and scheduling time for healthy pursuits. Individuals who engage more often in activities that are positive and enjoyable have been shown to have greater resilience and improved physical and mental wellbeing. Schedule time to pursue your favourite interests or try something new to increase your sense of self-worth and overall life satisfaction. Scan the QR code for more information 4
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