While we tend to focus on the physical dimension of our health, our mental health is often neglected. As a naturopath, it is my job to encourage people to consider their health as a whole.

Mind-Body Connection

While physical illness presents more obvious symptoms, r mental health challenges can go unnoticed and untreated. However they sometimes manifest in physical symptoms that are like a red flag asking you to pay attention to this aspect of your health. For instance, low energy/ tiredness can be linked to depression and anxiety, in some cases. Low appetite can also be a signal of mental health needs going unmet. Studies have even linked depression and anxiety to increased rates of cancer and heart disease.

Monitoring Our Mental Health

Every year 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness with only 1 in 3 of those seeking professional help. Even if you do not suffer from a mental illness, you should still prioritise your mental health. As October is Mental Health Month, now is a great opportunity to assess your own mental health. This year’s theme is Share the Journey, reminding us of the importance of maintaining social contact. There are many ways to do this such as engaging in a regular group activity or perhaps meeting a friend for a drink or meal. Physical contact such as hugging, is also conducive to our overall wellbeing.

Top 3 Tips for Maintaining Mental Health

There are many approaches to mental health and different things work for different people. But in my experience it is often a matter of back-to-basics self care. Here are my top three ingredients for maintaining mental health:

1. Eating a balanced diet. Drugs, alcohol, smoking, sugars and refined foods (bread, pasta, chips etc) all negatively impact our mental health. Instead, stick to fresh vegetables, fruit and quality protein sources such as nuts, seeds, beans, oily fish and free range meats to provide the great nutrients needed for a healthy mental state. Eating regular meals, rather than snacking across the day, and finishing eating around 2-3 hours before you go to bed also helps.

   Try to include herbs and spices such as turmeric, saffron, sage and rosemary in your cooking. They all include properties to help your nervous system and therefore your mood. Check out these inspirational recipes to help your mood.

   For some additional diet rules of thumb, check out author of The Happy Kitchen: Good Mood Food Rachel Kelly’s list in this article. Why not print it out and put it on your fridge?! Also, for more on the fascinating subject of nutritional psychiatry, you might want to tune in to this episode of All The Mind.

2. Engaging in relaxation exercises. Mindfulness, yoga, and walking in natural environments (park/bushland) all help both your body and mind stay healthy. They also help you get a good night’s sleep, which is crucial in maintaining positive mental health.

3. Maintaining social connections. Having two (or more!) meaningful conversations a day (not ‘chats’ but real conversations in person or on the phone) makes a big difference to our mental health. This might be a general conversation, but it can be useful to use this opportunity to talk about your own mental health - how it is currently, and how it has been lately. You will be amazed at how much it can benefit yourself, and others, to talk about how you feel.

Where to Go For Help

If you need help managing your own mental health, your health care practitioner is a great resource. As a naturopath, I can help look at your specific nutritional needs as well as recommend a great range of herbs with strong scientific evidence to gently support you on your journey back to whole vitality. Working in conjunction with a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist as needed, your healthcare team can work together with you to treat illness and keep you on track for the long term.

If you require more urgent assistance, please contact one of the following services:

• BeyondBlue 1300 554 636
• SANE Australia 1800 187 263
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.

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For information and support specifically tailored to your needs, book an appointment today

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