2019 Oct Articles Archives

Spotlight on Mental Health Awareness Month

October is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time of year dedicated to educating more people about issues around mental health and mental illnesses, and reducing the stigma that affects those who live with mental illness.

An estimated 400-million people around the world are currently living with mental or neurological disorders or psychosocial problems of varying severity.

The Widespread Effects of Mental Illness

Mental health problems, like depression and anxiety, affect not only individuals but also their families and co-workers, as well as the broader community. This is why education about mental health is so important.

Mental illness also impacts the workplace, through issues like high absenteeism, low productivity, and increased costs for businesses.

Tips for Improving Mental Health

The good news is, mental illness can be treated and prevented. Professional counselling and medication can be successfully used to treat those with mental health problems. Looking after your mental health can help to prevent these problems from occurring or reoccurring after treatment.

Here are a few easy tips for looking after your mental wellbeing:

Look after yourself physically, with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Make sure you get enough sleep.
Take time every day to de-stress and relax.
Keep a daily gratitude journal.
Work on your interpersonal relationships, by spending quality time with friends and family.
Talk about how you’re feeling and don’t be afraid to ask for support.

The goal of Mental Health Awareness Month is to influence everyone in a positive way, to be more aware of their own mental state and focus on cultivating a healthy mental attitude.

If you think that you or someone you care about may be suffering from a mental disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out. Speak to your family doctor, who may decide to refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

If you have questions about Mental Health Awareness Month or mental illness in general, our Employee Wellness Programme (EWP) is available 24-hours a day.

Sources:

Mental Health Awareness Month. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.za/speeches/mental-health-awareness-month-2019

Tips for Good Mental Health. Retrieved from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tips-for-good-mental-health

Choose the Best School Backpack for Your Child’s Back

The wrong type of backpack at school can put unnecessary strain on your child’s back, neck and shoulders. Choosing the best school backpack for your child’s health will help with their posture and comfort as they go about the school day, carrying all those heavy books from one class to the next.

Here’s what you should look for when choosing the perfect schoolbag for your child:

Top Tips for Choosing Your Child’s Backpack

The right fit: The right schoolbag must be the right fit for your child’s body. Don’t buy an overly large bag that your small child can “grow into”; this will be uncomfortable for them to carry, and they will also tend to overload it when packing. Rather start with a smaller bag, and replace it with a larger one as your child grows.

The right placement: You can tell if your child’s schoolbag is the right size by looking at where it sits on their body. The centre of the bag should be at waist-level. This means the pelvis and legs will carry the weight of the bag, rather than the spine and shoulders. An adjustable waist belt can also make the bag more comfortable.

Adjustable buckles: Schoolbags don’t come with a “one-size-fits-all” design. Look for a bag that has adjustable buckles, which will allow you to adjust the length of the shoulder straps as needed.

Straps: The shoulder straps of the bag should ideally be quite broad, with added padding for the shoulders. This helps with weight distribution and comfort.

Storage: Choose a schoolbag with multiple compartments, including pockets, slots and dividers to help evenly distribute the weight of the contents.

A tip for smart parents: Get your child involved so they can choose a backpack they really like – this will encourage them to take better care of it in the long run.

A Guide to Safely Packing Your Child’s Schoolbag

Once you’ve chosen the right schoolbag for your child’s health and safety, what is the smartest way to pack everything in? Here are some handy tips:

Pack the heaviest items (like books) in the back of the bag, closest to your child’s back.
Other heavy objects like pencil cases and tablets should go in next.
Pack books securely so they won’t slide around inside the bag.
Keep all the essential stationery secured in the pencil case.
Pack the lightest items at the front of the bag.
Regularly empty and clean out the bag with your child, to make sure they’re only carrying the necessities.
Distribute the weight evenly by having your child wear both straps of the backpack. Wearing just one strap can cause uneven weight distribution and muscle strain.

With the best school backpack to fit their needs, your child will enjoy a healthier and happier school year ahead!

Sources:

How to Choose the Right School Bag for Children. Retrieved from: https://whatparentsask.com/how-to-choose-a-right-school-bag-for-children/

How to Pack a Backpack for School – The Safe Way. Retrieved from: https://www.firelands.com/blog/how-pack-backpack-school-safe-way

Tips for Packing Your Child’s Backpack for School. Retrieved from: https://youaremom.com/children/childs-backpack/