October is Mental Health Month in Australia and we support ending the stigma around mental health and the creation of safe, caring communities.
Part of our mission at Nalia is to support our community in the journey to find the healthiest life.
Nalia Cosmetics was born out of a commitment to self-care and skincare. We have experienced first hand the positive impact of looking after ourselves in many ways. This includes our skincare routines, using products that empower us to feel great from the inside out. Our products are natural so they don’t include nasty ingredients found in so many other brands. Our hero product, the Luminous Serum, gives you a spa experience at home. Every step of the way – from the custom-made bottle which emulates the natural energy of crystals, to the powerful serum itself, which gently nourishes your skin – the whole Nalia Cosmetics experience is about self-care.
The National Alliance of Mental Health in the United States has the 2023 hashtag of: #MoreThanEnough
We believe deeply that we are all ‘more than enough’, just as we are. We also recommend integrating healthy habits into your lifestyle to build a healthy mind and allow yourself to feel and live your best.
How to help your mental health with healthy habits
Your mind is a muscle so it needs to be exercised and taken care of, just like the rest of your body, in order to function at its best.
Here are some tips to help create healthy mind habits:
Mindfulness
“Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally. Mindfulness refers to the capacity to be present in our lives, whatever the experience. To really notice what’s going on in our mind and our body, around us and with others. This way of paying attention then allows us to see our reactions and to open up a space so that we don’t just react but rather have more choice over our reactions. This is not always easy but it is where the power lays.” Source MindfulnessAus
Making time to be mindful, especially during your morning routine, can help you feel more calm and able to handle stress during your day.
Movement
Movement helps with concentration, memory and mental clarity. The simple act of going for a walk to clear your head can work wonders! Exercise causes our brains to release ‘feel-good’ chemicals including endorphins and serotonin, which help improve our mood.
“There are many benefits of movement for mental health including; improved circulation, improved metabolism, improved mental clarity, improved mood, improved resilience.” Source Mental Health in The Workplace UK
Yoga
The ancient practice of yoga has many physical, mental and spiritual benefits. Focusing on breathing during yoga allows us to find a deeper body/mind connection and encourages us to be present. It can help us find calmness, even amongst chaos.
Research has shown that movement-based yoga can improve symptoms of depression, making it a great tool for mental health. Source University of South Australia
Meditation
Meditation has many physical and mental health benefits, including reducing anxiety, depression, heart disease and high blood pressure. It can help us to manage stress and alleviate sleep problems. Source Health Direct
Meditation helps us stay in the present moment and deal with life with a calm nervous system.
If meditation is new to you, we recommend using a guided meditation. You can find these on Spotify or YouTube, as well as on many apps such as Calm.
Sleep
Getting enough sleep is so important for our overall health. The notion of not needing sleep is so unhealthy and really does not allow us to thrive and function in the best way possible. Sufficient sleep for most adults is between 7-8 hours per night. Poor sleep can deplete our cognitive skills such as attention and memory, making it harder to deal with stress and stay in a good mood.
Around 4 out of 10 Australians feel they get inadequate sleep. Source Beyond Blue
Tips to get a good nights sleep include: don’t use electrical devices for 30 minutes before sleeping, try reading a book before bed, or do some bedtime yoga.
Practise Gratitude
Practising gratitude is something we can do anytime and anywhere. It helps us stay in the present moment and realigns our perspective with what really matters. To practise gratitude, think of what you are grateful for and write it down. Check in with yourself daily as to what you are grateful for, so that gratitude becomes a regular focus for your mindset.
We know that many people suffer in silence with mental health issues, and we want to know you that you don’t have to go through this alone. Seek support from your loved ones and professionals in order to look after yourself in the best possible.
Mental Health Helplines
If you or someone you love is needing to talk to someone seek help:
Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 Open 24/7
Lifeline: 13 11 14
We hope your mind benefits from some of these healthy habits and that you feel empowered to look after yourself every day.
Love Nalia
Author: Tia Metaxas
