Burnout and occupational stress are affecting more Australians than ever, with record numbers reporting burnout symptoms following the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. So what is burnout, and how can you protect yourself against it?

If it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month or even your year, it’s easy to feel like nothing in your life is worth being grateful for. But research shows that intentional gratitude – acknowledging and celebrating the good things in your life and actively thanking the people around you – is one of the best ways to boost your mood and improve your mental wellbeing.

People have asked since the dawn of time, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ While that question may not ever be answered, one thing is true: finding your own meaning increases your sense of purpose – and it’s entirely up to you what meaning is.

If you’ve ever been on a plane, you know the drill: in an emergency, if an oxygen mask appears above you, always fit your own before helping others. The logic is sound: if you run out of air, you’re no help to anyone. The same goes for your mental health. Here’s why.

Our brains process tens of thousands of thoughts every day. Some are positive and others are not. Recognising our own thought patterns, especially when we’re not feeling our best mentally, can be a great way to ‘de-fuse’ from negative thoughts and step back into a more positive frame of mind.

Life can get monotonous sometimes. You might feel like you’re living the same day over and over but change seems too hard, too distant or too much work. If you find yourself in this state of mind, goal setting can help renew your purpose – and improve your mental health.

Relationships are one of the four pillars that support our mental health. Feeling connected to others and having people in our life who we trust and can count on is critical to a sense of belonging and wellbeing.