Self-care for Body & Soul

Self-care isn't just the glamourous, Pinterest-worthy Lush bath bombs and rosewater facial scrubs. It's also about doing the hard work to ensure that we - and the people around us - are healthy in ways that aren't as pretty to post about.

This Mental Health Week and all throughout October, Skillsroad wants you to look inside at yourself and focus on being mentally and physically healthy inside and out. That looks different for everyone, and is a unique journey just for you, but we've collated some useful resources, blogs and videos to help you get into the vibe of self-care.

Of course, you can do some bath bombs and throw some rose petals in there and snap a few photos. We're not stopping you - and relaxation and self-contemplation is a huge part of going on this journey! But it can't just stop there. This month and every month after that, take some time out to sit with yourself and ask: am I doing the kind of self-care my body and my brain needs right now? What resources do I need to grow and thrive? And how can I help myself be better?

Physical Health

A lot of the time, self-care can be focused on mental health. Mental health is an incredibly important part of your life, but so is your physical body. It's all part of a cycle that feeds into itself: if you take care of your body, whether that's your skin or your muscles or your hair, you'll feel like you're in a better place mentally. And when you're feeling mentally healthy and in a good place, your body will show it, with a glowy shine that people outside of you will see and recognise. So it's important to do both to have a healthy body inside and out.

Sometimes, physical self-care can look like taking a bath or a shower when you need it and spending a little extra time stretching out some sore muscles. If you've been hunched over a laptop studying a lot recently, physical self-care can look like setting yourself a regular reminder to straighten up your back posture or stretch out your arms and legs. And if you've been binging Netflix and eating too many snacks, physical self-care can look like eating a healthy meal with plenty of good vitamins in it to replenish your body's essential nutrients.

The best way to keep up with a self-care routine is just that - make it into a routine. If you wash your face and brush your teeth at the same time every night, try expanding that into also doing a quick 15 minute stretch or going for a walk before bed. (Studies show that exercise before bed makes you more tired and more likely to get a better, less fitful sleep too). If you find yourself becoming sore and unable to focus around the same time during your workday, set yourself a phone reminder to take a break to get some fresh air, get some sun on your face, and get rid of that restless energy. Once you do it enough, it will become a great habit to have!

Take the time out to relax and stretch your body

The Skillsroad team did some healthsome yoga for R U OK? Day in September.

Mental Health

Not too long ago, taking a 'mental health day' wouldn't have flown with even the savviest of bosses. However lately, it's becoming pretty obvious: when your workers are happy, they do better work. When you're passionate about what you do and why you're there, you're more present, you show up and go above and beyond, and you're less likely to go and leave for a new job. No more quiet quitting for you.

What is burnout? Chances are, you've felt at least some of its effects before. It can have negative consequences on many aspects of your life, not just the professional side - so how can you avoid it? How can you spot it? And how can you recover from it and come out stronger on the other side?

Important Resources for Physical And Mental Health

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, available to anyone in NSW. Call 1800 011 511 or click to visit the link. Kids Help Line

Anonymous counselling for kids between 11 and 25. Call 1800 55 18 00 or click to visit the link.

For depression and anxiety related matters, call 1300 22 46 36 or click to visit the link.

A nationwide sexual assault, domestic and family abuse line. Call 1800 737 732 or click to visit the link.

For support with disordered eating and negative body image, call 1800 33 4673 or click to visit the link.

Anonymous LGBTQIA+ peer support for identity & sexuality. Call 1800 184 527 or click to visit the link.

A nationwide provider of relationship support services. Call 1300 364 277 or click to visit the link.

The National Youth Mental Health Organisation, helping all young people. Click to visit the link.

A nationwide non-profit online youth mental health service for better lives. Click to visit the link. ort here.

resources for parents & carers

For parents and carers of children aged 0-18 in NSW. Call 1300 1300 52 or click to visit the link.

Dedicated to the over 2.5 million Australians who care for a relative or loved one. Click to visit the link.

Providing information, counselling and resources to new families. Phone 1300 726 306 or visit the link.

Physical health guidelines and resources for parents of children. Phone 1800 022 222 or visit the link.

resources for employers

Provided by the Australian Dept. of Health, combines programs, resources & services. Click the link.

If your business needs help to create a mentally healthy workplace culture, click to visit the link.

Our partners at Apprenticeship Support Australia have put together a comprehensive report on mental wellbeing in the workplace, including steps toward creating a mentally healthy working environment.

Did you know suicide rates are 80% higher for construction workers than in the general population? It's something that needs to be talked about by everyone who is affected by it before it can get better. As part of their Tradies Mental Health Month, our partners at Apprenticeship Support Australia collated some useful resources to help employers talk about mental health on the jobsite.

Our partners at MyBusiness dive into why mental health issues are incredibly important to a business of any size, and how with 1 in 6 Australians suffering some kind of emotional ill health your business is likely to employ at least one person with these issues whether you realise it or not.