Your wellbeing matters
It can be easy to overlook the importance of prioritising wellbeing.
Simply put, wellbeing is feeling good about yourself and your life. We can achieve wellbeing by taking care of our physical, mental, emotional, and social health and finding balance in all aspects of life.
Sleep and mental health
Sleep and mental health are deeply interconnected which is why your wellbeing matters! Quality sleep plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing mental well-being.
When you get enough sleep, it is easier for your brain to:
- Process emotions
- Consolidate memories, and
- Regulate mood
all of which contribute to better overall mental health.
Adequate sleep also strengthens your ability to cope with stress. This enables you to handle daily challenges more effectively.
For most adults, around eight hours of sleep each night is ideal. Individual needs can vary based on factors like age, lifestyle, and health. Chronic sleep deprivation, can lead to a host of mental health issues, including:
- Increased anxiety
- Depression,
- Impaired cognitive function
This highlights why good quality sleep is crucial for your mental health.
Improve sleep for your wellbeing:
• Regular exercise – being active during the day helps to prepare your body for sleep.
• Choose a relaxing activity in the hour before bedtime.
• Go to bed at a similar time every night.
• Avoid looking at your phone screen for the last 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Limit naps – napping disrupts your sleep routine.
Keep active
Regular physical activity can help you get a better night’s sleep, improve your mood, increase energy levels and make daily worries seem less overwhelming. It's important to understand that exercise isn't just about sweating it out at the gym; it's your secret weapon for feeling better about yourself. Read how it works its magic.
How to stay active:
• Do what you enjoy – it might be as simple as a 20-minute walk outdoors every day
• Park further from the shop/café/restaurant and walk
• Go for a swim when the weather heats up
• Take your children or pets to the playground or park
• Exercise with a friend
If your wellbeing often takes a backseat in favour of daily monitoring and calculations, work, family commitments and other responsibilities, resolve to place wellbeing at the forefront in the year ahead.
Diabetes Victoria Clinic is a great way to start prioritising your mental health and wellbeing. You can see a list of services on the clinic services page, which includes a psychology service developed to put mindfulness at the forefront of your diabetes care and reduce the impacts of diabetes distress. Book an appointment to see a specialist today.
If this content has raised any concerns about your mental health, we have a list of helpful resources to assist. For emergencies, please call Triple Zero.
