Although you may not have tried some of these tips before, they are designed to be used by anyone at any time. Techniques like breathwork, slow calm box breathing or meditation are all great ways to practice self-care. It helps slow your day down and prioritise your mind’s health.

Putting effort into what is in your control, and letting go of what you cannot control will help you focus on the important things. It will also help you get some sleep at night too.

Understanding the contributing factors when you do feel low can be a great way to identify the issues you may be facing. This could be work life, finances or your child’s schooling. Compartmentalising these parts of life will help you cope with any issues that arise.

Being a parent is tough work sometimes. Being tough on yourself won’t help matters. Striving for happiness all of the time isn’t realistic. Knowing that sometimes you’re going to feel a little down, sad or angry is OK. These are all normal emotions to express. How we deal with them is the next step.

Although it may be tough at times to find things in your day that you’re grateful for, gratitude has been shown to help people feel more positive about their lives and be able to deal with adversity better. The more you practice this each day or week, the more likely you are to benefit from it.

Often parents get wrapped up in caring for their children and forget they need time to themselves for their own mental health sometimes. Find a family member, partner or service provider who is willing to take care of your child every now and then so you can do the things you love. If these aren’t available to you, find a few minutes each day to close your eyes, sit calmly and appreciate the space you’re in. 

Going out to see friends, enjoying going to the movies with your partner or going for a dip in the nearest pool or ocean are all ways to feel good about yourself. 

There is strong evidence showing that the more we move, the more our mental health improves. Find time throughout the week to hit the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity. If you're struggling to find the time, some movement is better than nothing.

Remember, you are not alone on the journey to improve your mental health as a parent. Reaching out to friends, family or a health professional is a completely normal and healthy action to take. This can be a simple catch-up or check-in through to a conversation about some specific mental health concerns you may have.