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Mental Health

Our mental health is just as important as our physical health - it impacts every aspect of our life Whether you’d like to get a better understanding of a mental health condition, learn about self-care tips or even how to improve your social and emotional wellbeing, we’re here to help.

Articles 34 to 36 of 158

Hospital Cover

No one wants to go to hospital, but if the worst happens, having Hospital cover can make a stressful experience easier and more comfortable. You may be thinking, “But why do I need private health insurance when we can have the public health system, Medicare?” Well, there’s a number of reasons why private hospital insurance is a better option than relying solely on the public system – one of the most important one being that your policy allows you to choose your own hospital and treating doctor. Plus, you’ll typically have a much shorter wait time for any elective surgeries that you may need in the future.

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Dr. Happy
By
How often do you hear the phrase, "I'm a bit OCD"? According to Dr Happy, "It's a common term and the reality us, that most people do "have a bit" of OCD. But there is a big difference difference between having some (in the majority of cases, minor) obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and having a full-blown obsessive-compulsive disorder. In this article Dr Happy discusses both and offers his advice on how we can understand this difference. 
Category:Mental Health
Why we jump to conclusions – and how to stop!

Why we jump to conclusions – and how to stop!

Dr. Happy
By

Do you have a habit of jumping to conclusions quickly? According to Dr. Happy, "One of the greatest misperceptions of human functioning and especially, human thinking, is that we are, by and large, rational creatures. Although there’s no doubt we can and do think logically at times, there’s also no doubt that much of our thinking, much of the time, is nowhere near as rational or as accurate as we assume it to be." In this article, Dr Happy discusses some of the more common 'distortions' or 'thinking mistakes' we make and offers his advice on what we can do to combat these unhelpful and often unrealistic thoughts.

Category:Mental Health
How to Declutter Your Mind

How to Declutter Your Mind

Dr. Happy
By
Do you feel overwhelmed with your thoughts? Feel stressed out from too much going on in your life? If you've answered yes then it might mean it's time to declutter your mind. According to mental health expert, Dr. Happy, "It’s the commonly held belief that “more is better”! This is most definitely not true when it comes to wealth and possessions; and it’s just as not true when it comes to what goes on within our minds. So be happy thinking less; because you may well find that when it comes to happiness, less is more!" In his latest article, Dr. Happy provides his Manifesto for Simple Living.
Category:Mental Health
Coping With a Loss

Coping With a Loss

Dr. Happy
By
When you suffer a loss whether it’s the (hopefully) occasional loss of a loved one; or the (typically) more frequent loss of an opportunity experienced as a minor disappointment, the emotions can be overwhelming and something with which we will all be faced and something we all need to learn how to manage. According to our mental health expert, Dr. Tim Sharp, The good news is that we can cope with loss. As humans, we are remarkably strong most of the time. Knowing loss and disappointment will come at some stage, knowing what to expect and having some idea about what you can do to actively ameliorate the distressing emotions, are all important components of living a healthy and resilient life." In this article Tim provides his advice on how to help us understand our emotions, take care ourselves, seek support, and look to a positive future.
Category:Mental Health, Grief and Loss
June 23 – Let it Go Day

June 23 – Let it Go Day

Dr. Happy
By
Did you know that June 23 marks "Let It Go Day"? Let it Go Day was established with the intent of encouraging people to let go of their regrets and to forgive themselves for actions taken in the past. After all, the past cannot be changed and only the present and the future are within our control. So how can one deal with regret and move forward? If this is a question you’ve asked or are asking, then you might find these practical strategies from Mental Health Expert, Dr. Happy very helpful. 
Category:Mental Health
How To Deal With Social Anxiety

How To Deal With Social Anxiety

Dr. Happy
By

Do you fear that you will be judged by others in social situations? Do your fears cause you to avoid groups of people or group events because you think you might embarrass yourself? If you answered yes to these questions, then you're probably experiencing social anxiety. According to mental health expert and psychologist, Dr. Happy, "The most common example of social anxiety is a fear of public speaking; but it can also be experienced as extreme anxiety associated with eating or drinking in public, signing one’s name under scrutiny, and even using public toilet facilities. At the heart of social anxiety for everyone, however, is a fear of negative evaluation." The good news is that treatments for social anxiety are relatively effective for most people, most of the time, and relatively quickly. In this article, Dr. Happy discusses social phobia and provides his advice on how to manage these fears.  

Category:Mental Health, Stress and Anxiety
How to Cope With the Anxiety of Leaving Your Pet When You Go Away

How to Cope With the Anxiety of Leaving Your Pet When You Go Away

Dr. Happy
By
Do you ever experience that feeling of guilt and anxiety about leaving pet behind while you go on holiday? You've probably even organised a spot for your beloved fur-kid at the best boarding facility in town or even your trusting relatives or friends have offered to take care of them. But, despite knowing your pet is in the best possible hands, you still can't shake that anxious feeling. Well HIF mental health blogger Dr. Happy is on hand with his expert tips on how to cope with the anxiety of leaving your pets when you go away.
Category:Mental Health, Stress and Anxiety
How Therapy Dogs Help to Improve the Lives of People with Mental Illness

How Therapy Dogs Help to Improve the Lives of People with Mental Illness

Dr. Happy
By
Did you know that just patting or stroking an animal can help to reduce stress and increase “feel good” hormones? According to Mental Health professional, Dr. Happy, "There are some “common” or “generic” factors that have been found to be associated with improvements in mental health and wellbeing; these are, enhancing the relationships and/or sense of connectedness in someone’s life, providing the individual with something to care for, and guiding the person to develop a sense of purpose in their life; or quite simply, helping them find a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Notably, each of these life-enhancing factors can be found in or attributed to “therapy dogs”. In his latest article for HIF, Dr. happy discusses how therapy dogs can provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and to people with a range of health and mental-health diagnoses."
Category:Mental Health
How to Recognise Signs of Mental Health Problems in Your Child

How to Recognise Signs of Mental Health Problems in Your Child

Dr. Happy
By
The so called “negative emotions”, such as depression and anxiety, anger and frustration, are perfectly normal for both children and adults. At the same time, however, there’s a point when “normal” becomes unhealthy; when the intensity or duration of the distress begins to impact on that person’s ability to function or enjoy life, when it impairs their work or schooling or social interactions. So how do we determine when the line’s been crossed? In this article mental health professional, Dr. Happy offers his advice on the practical strategies we can implement if our children are showing signs that they're experiencing a number of mental health issues. 
Category:Mental Health, Raising Children
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Dr. Happy
By

As we say goodbye to the heat of summer, and begin to ease in to the colder and darker months of winter, some of you might be wondering why your mood is lower or why, in the past, you’ve felt sad and/or lethargic during this time of year. According to our resident mental health blogger, Dr. Happy, "The answer might be that you’ve had Seasonal Affective Disorder (otherwise known by its strangely descriptive acronym, SAD) this, in very simple terms, is a form of depression. More specifically, it’s a form of depression that’s related to seasonal changes.The reality is, that in Australia where our seasons are not really that extreme, there’s limited evidence for SAD. Nonetheless, there’s no doubt some people experience lower moods through the winter months" In this article, Dr. Happy describes the signs and symptoms to look out for and provides the best strategies you can follow to help improve your mood. 

Category:Mental Health
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