Achieving your best possible mental health

October is Mental Health Month, which is a good opportunity to think about mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not. Glenn Baird, TAL’s Head of Mental Health, has been speaking to advisers around the country to hear about the challenges facing the industry, and sharing tips to help improve mental wellbeing.

We’ve collated some of Glenn’s top tips to help you feel and function at your best, as well as prepare you to be resilient through tough times.

Five evidence based tips for wellbeing*

  1. Stay active
    Go for a walk or bike ride. Mow the lawns. Play a game. Dance. Exercise lifts our mood, reduces anxiety and depression and helps improve sleep.


  2. Connect socially
    Make time for family and friends. Invite someone over for lunch. Have coffee with a colleague. Building connections provides a higher level of happiness, increases resilience and improves our daily mood.

  3. Give back
    Smile at a stranger. Volunteer your time. Give blood. Do a random act of kindness. Participation in community life improves our self-esteem, sense of purpose and sense of accomplishment.

  4. Continue learning
    Rediscover an old hobby or start a new one. Try a new recipe or set a goal to achieve something that excites you. Learning new activities can be fun also improves our confidence and resilience.

  5. Take notice
    Write a gratitude list. Meditate. Take notice of your senses whether you’re going for a walk, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you. Practising mindfulness helps regulate our emotions, improves sleep and reduces levels of stress.

Game time – when do you really want to show up and be your best?

As a professional basketball player for 14 years, Glenn did everything to ensure he was at his optimal performance for his 48 minutes of game time each week. Now, as a busy working dad, his definition of game time has changed to being fully present with his kids after work. Think about your own life and what your version of game time is. What part of your day or week do you really want to show up and be your best? Carve out time to make taking care of yourself a priority and hopefully by using some of the tips above, when it’s time for you to turn up, you really turn up!

You can read more about finding ways to improve work life balance on our blog, The Slice of Life.

More useful resources

Mobile apps

Client resources

Getting help

You’re not alone. If you are struggling with your mental health there is always someone who can help you. AFA Care is a confidential coaching and wellbeing service available to advisers.

  1. Visit benestar.com and go to the BeneHub login

  2. Enter your membership details
    ID: AFA
    Token: AFA01


  3. Provide a few simple details and create your own password


If you have any questions, please reach out to
your local Sales Development Manager.

 

*Centre for Wellbeing, New Economics Foundation (NEF) 2008, viewed June 2019, http://neweconomics.org/2008/10/five-ways-to-wellbeing-the-evidence/

 

Important Information: This information article has been compiled by TAL Life Limited ABN 70 050 109 450 (TAL) for the information of financial advisers. The health and medical information provided in this article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified medical or other health professional. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health problem. Always consult your general practitioner or medical specialist before changing your diet, starting an exercise program, or taking medication or supplements of any kind. While all care has been taken to ensure that the information provided in this article is accurate and complete, neither TAL nor its employees accept liability for any loss or damage caused as a result of reliance on the information provided. The information in this article is current as at October 2019.

© Copyright 2019 TAL Life Limited

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