Promoting Positive Mental Health: Self-Care

What is Self-Care?

Self-care is all about caring for yourself to ensure that both your physical and emotional needs are met. Self-care is often the first thing that gets sacrificed when life is busy and stressful, but that’s when it’s most important.

Why is Self-Care Important? 

Self-care is important for your mental health as it helps in building resilience toward stressors.

When you’ve taken steps to care for your mind and body, you’ll be better equipped to live your best life.

How do I make a Self-Care Plan? Where do I Start?

You have taken the first step by visiting this page! Below are some useful resources that will assist you in your self-care journey.

  1. ‘How to use self-care planning to improve your emotional wellbeing, even when you don’t think you need it’ by the Black Dog Institute provides some useful tips on how to create your own self-care plan.
  2. Self-Care by Everymind provides some tips for self-care and links to additional suppport services.
  3. This video called ‘Self-Care Planning: Working Towards Wellbeing‘ by the Black Dog Institute is a nice watch (3 minutes)

Eating Well and Mental Health

Food plays a vital role in maintaining your mental and physical health. Following a nourishing, balanced diet can help bring you an overall sense of wellbeing.

It’s not always easy to eat well, and there’s no one perfect approach that works for everyone. But with the right information, there are ways to establish and maintain a diet that works for you.

Here are some articles to help you learn about eating for mental health:

  1. This article titled ‘Eating Well and Mental Health‘ Beyond Blue has some great advise for healthy eating and the benefits.
  2. This article from UK Mental Health Foundation title ‘Diet and mental health’ is also a good read! 

Did you know that you can share your favourite recipes on the Aspen Medical HSE Hub? Check out these yummy recipes.

We would love to grow our recipe collection so we need your help!  Please share your recipes (and a colour picture) with us by emailing [email protected]

Exercise and Mental Health

Exercise can benefit your mental health as well as your physical health. Exercising regularly can reduce stress, help you sleep better, and aid recovery from mental illness.

Tip! If you are new to exercising, start slow in a setting where you feel comfortable.

Here are some interesting articles outlining the mental health benefits of physical exercise:

  1.  ‘The Mental Health Benefits of Physical Exercise‘ from VeryWell Mind
  2. ‘Stay active for a healthy headspace‘ by Headspace

Discounted Gym Memberships

As an Aspen Medical employee, you can get discounted gym memberships

Aspen Medical has also partnered with Fitness First who are generously providing us with the following:

  • Fitness First: 15% membership discount at any Club Lime fitness centre. Follow this link and select the Corporate name: Aspen Medical and enter the password ASPENGYM2020 (case sensitive).
  • Fitness First: 15% off all FF 12/18-month memberships (excl. Black Label and Platinum Plus), startup fee payable.
  • Goodlife: 15% off all GL 12/18-month memberships (excl. Platinum Plus), startup fee payable.
  • ZAP: $10 start up + 10% off 12/18 Month Home and All Access. Use code CORP22 when signing up online.