Being Well

Taking care your wellbeing

Since 2020, Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, has experienced a series of unprecedented events. Environmental, economic, physical, and social distress has had a deep impact upon our community, leaving many feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and alone. The Canberra lockdown, while not as long or as intense as the lockdown restrictions in other Australian capital cities, has left many feeling far more socially and physically distanced from those we love. This experience also has encouraged many to question and feel fearful of things, which were previously accepted as our way of life. Feelings of loneliness, confusion, sadness, anxiety, frustration, depression, agitation and restlessness are not unusual. You do not have to manage these feelings on your own. The challenge is to acknowledge how you are feeling and to consider how you want to be feeling is the first step toward improving your mental and emotional self.

Reach out for help

If you are feeling that you are experiencing very strong feelings of worry, anxiety, panic or fear it is important to seek appropriate support.

Some ideas to get started

What can you do to take the next step in strengthening your personal wellbeing?
  • Get connected with friends and family. If you have realised that you are feeling isolated - pick up your phone and text a friend. Connect via FaceTime, Webex, or ZOOM - these online programs offer free services that can provide you with the opportunity to see and talk with the people you love. While an online video is not like seeing your loved one in person, it does offer the opportunity for you to see familiar and caring faces, hear soothing voices and reflect upon how you are not alone in your struggles.
  • Make an appointment to chat with your boss or a trusted teacher. If work or school has become overwhelming and you're beginning to fall behind or lose track of tasks, talking to someone about what is bothering you will help you reconnect and get back on track. Once you've broken the spiral of feeling overwhelmed by speaking about the inability to get going, you do begin to feel better about yourself and not so alone. You also have the opportunity to hear yourself talking about the issue and often you can identify the next step out of that spiral.
  • Stick to your usual day / night times. Sleeping in for a couple of days can be fun and help you recharge if you finished work feeling frazzled and burnt out. However, falling into a routine of sleeping in every day will wear down your physical wellbeing and reduce your capacity to feel energised. Our bodies need routine day / night cycles to remain in balance. Set your alarm to your pre-isolation waking time to bring your body, mind and spirit back into alignment.
  • Try something new. If you've lost your employment or being asked to take a break from your usual work routine, now is the time to update your skills and possibly take some time to learn something new. Focussing on something different can help keep your mind and emotions occupied and challenged in a practical and positive way. There are lots of free, online learning opportunities - if you're not keen to spend any more money than keeping your Internet Service going.
  • Set a new goal for physical health. Do activities that you enjoy, start a new hobby, try out new meals, bake things from scratch or explore the internet for a few creative projects that use all those items you've stockpiled from cleaning out your cupboards, and set (and stick) to a new daily walk or exercise routine (COVID-19 restrictions permitting)

I know how hard it is to BEGIN and to keep GOING.

Connect with Carolyn through a free, one-hour, online CONNECT session.
The CONNECT session is designed to provide information about the various services
and can also complete an easy intake process.
If you want to BEGIN ... let's be Braver Together ... make your CONNECT appointment.