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Category: COVID-19

How to Overcome Social Isolation

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Humans are social beings, and research continues to prove connection is a core need.

According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, love and belonging are the most important needs we must fulfill besides food, water, and safety.

We have an inherent desire for interpersonal relationships and connection with others, and to feel a sense of belonging in a group or community.

When these needs are met, our wellbeing improves, and we live a more fulfilled life.

The 2021 World Happiness Report shows people who experienced an increase in connectedness with others during COVID lockdowns had:

  • Greater life satisfaction
  • More resilience
  • Better mental health.

Our social networks can help increase our capacity to cope in challenging times. A lack of social support and connection can have serious negative impacts on our mental and physical health.

Research shows loneliness is as bad for us as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. It’s a major risk factor for mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and it can also increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

If you’re struggling with social isolation and loneliness, you might find these tips helpful.

 

Social Isolation in Australia

Loneliness has long been present in Australia, but COVID has exacerbated the issue over recent years.

Before the pandemic, research shows one third of people (33%) reported an episode of loneliness.

In surveys undertaken since COVID, just over half (54%) of respondents reported that they felt lonelier since the start of the pandemic.

COVID-related lockdowns, venue closures, restrictions on group activities, and social distancing measures may have contributed to increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Even as we emerge from lockdowns and the world gets a little closer to ‘normal’, research shows many of us are feeling the lasting social impacts of COVID, counting less friends than we had prior to the pandemic.

 

Managing Social Isolation and Loneliness

Everyone feels lonely from time to time, but prolonged periods of loneliness or social isolation can impact on your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Here are some things you can do that may help combat social isolation and loneliness.

Set a daily routine

Following a daily routine can keep you busy and provide a sense of purpose. Fill your day with meaningful and enjoyable tasks and activities to look forward to.

Maintain daily contact with loved ones

Schedule in time each day to stay in touch with friends and family either in person or via technology. This doesn’t have to take a huge chunk out of your day – even just a quick phone call or short check-in text conversation can help nurture those connections.

Find hobbies outside the home

Pursuing hobbies and interests in your area is a great way to meet new people. Whether you join a local park run or get involved in a community garden, it may help you connect with likeminded people and fill your social cup.  

Consider adopting a pet

Pets can be a great source of companionship and comfort. If you’re in the position to care for an animal, you might like to consider welcoming one into your home. Adopting a dog also provides the opportunity to meet other dog owners at local dog parks and meet-ups.

 

If you need some extra support to cope, talking to a counsellor can help. You can call us on 1300 364 277 to make an appointment or learn more about our counselling services here.

We offer some tips to ask for help when you’re having a hard time in this blog post.

Are you suffering from working from home burnout?

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COVID-related social distancing and self-isolation mandates forced many of us to work from home during the peak of the outbreak.

While some of us have since returned to the workplace, others have remained at home for our 9-5.

Research from September 2021 found that 67% of employed Australians were sometimes or always working from home, compared to 42% before COVID.

Working from home has its perks (sleep-ins, no commute, increased flexibility), but it can also have some pitfalls (blurred boundaries, no change of scenery, loneliness).

If you’re struggling with the latter, you’re not alone.

In a survey conducted by Relationships Australia in 2020, 87% of respondents reported a significant change to their workplace since the start of COVID-19, and 63% of respondents agreed these workplace changes impacted their mental health.

We explore the signs of working from home burnout and tips to look after yourself if you’re struggling.

 

Psychological Effects of Working from Home

Apart from feeling distracted or struggling to get motivated, working from home can have some more serious effects on our mental health.

Research shows some of the negative impacts of working from home include:

  • Social isolation and loneliness
  • Difficulty ‘switching off’ from work
  • Overworking
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety.

 

What is working from home burnout?

Working from home burnout is more than simply feeling exhausted from your job.

If left untreated, burnout can lead to physical impacts such as high blood pressure, heart disease, a weakened immune system, and cognitive impairment.

Some signs you might be experiencing working from home burnout might include:

  • You have little motivation to do your job
  • You’re struggling to concentrate
  • Your performance is declining
  • You feel irritable and are more likely to snap at others
  • You’re withdrawing from others
  • You feel cynical and negative
  • You’re not sleeping well.

 

Managing Your Mental Health While Working from Home

We hope these strategies help you prioritise your wellbeing while working from home.

Establish a workday routine

It can be tempting to sleep in until minutes before you clock on for the day, or to stay in your PJs unless you have a video meeting. But this lack of structure could be sabotaging your motivation and general wellbeing.

Establishing a routine can help you get into ‘work mode’ and maintain work-life balance.

Some basics of a healthy work-from-home routine might include:

  • Waking up with enough time to make breakfast and change out of your PJs
  • Starting and finishing work at the same time every day
  • Using your coffee and lunchbreaks to take a break from your work and get a change of scenery
  • Activating ‘do not disturb’ on your email and/or work phone outside of work hours.

Use your sick and annual leave

Working from home doesn’t mean forfeiting your usual leave entitlements.

The flexibility and freedom of working from home may make us more likely to power through when we’re unwell.

Perhaps you feel guilty or don’t see the point of taking sick leave if you’re working from the comfort of your own home. But working from the couch isn’t the same as resting, so be sure to take those sick days when you need them.

The same goes for annual leave.

Border closures and travel restrictions may have forced us to cancel our bigger holidays, but it could be more important than ever to take annual leave. A proper break can help reduce stress and the risk of burnout, so be sure to book in some annual leave, even if it’s local.

We discuss the importance of taking annual leave during COVID here.

 

If you’re having a hard time and need some extra support, counselling might help. Our counsellors can help you explore your concerns and potential solutions in a safe and supportive environment.

You can learn more about our counselling service here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment in person, over the phone, or via video.

How I Cope with Emotional Burnout: Tips from Practitioners

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The last few years have been challenging for many of us.

There’s a lot going on around the world right now, and it’s normal to feel more stressed and anxious than usual. But prolonged excessive stress can lead to emotional burnout – the feeling of being emotionally and mentally drained, or like your cup is always empty.

Some common emotional burnout symptoms might include:

  • Lack of motivation
  • Irritability
  • Low mood
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Reduced capacity to cope
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Apathy or feeling ‘numb’
  • Changes in sleep
  • Changes in appetite.

It’s more important than ever to look after ourselves and prioritise our wellbeing.

Some of our RAQ practitioners offer advice to look after yourself if you’re feeling overwhelmed or burnt out.

 

Know what drains you and what fills you up

I think it’s important to know what drains you and fills you up. It’s a balancing act of getting the right flow each day so you can be present. I find that mindfulness is key to really focus on people and moments and appreciate all of it.

Exercise, nature, and spending time alone work for me – but some people need others to recharge, so knowing this is key.

Susan, Regional Manager

 

Limit exposure to the news

There can be a social pressure to stay up to date with the news, but this can trap us into the news cycle, and it can get exhausting.

20 years ago, we had the 6 o’clock news, but now there’s a 24-hour cycle that’s global, and sometimes catastrophic. It can lead to emotional burnout. So my tip is to turn off the news and watch a fun movie. This might involve revisiting your favourites as a child, like Finding Nemo or Scooby Doo.

Helen, Regional Manager

 

Break up your day with some fresh air

As many of us balance our new way of life with more days working from home than in the office, I think it’s important to try to break up the day as it’s coming to an end.

I always make sure I have time outside at the end of every day, even if it is only a quick walk around the block. Fresh air can do wonders for how you feel. Fresh air and plenty of water would be my number-one tip for taking care of yourself during these unprecedented times.

Tim, Centre Manager

 

Keep in touch with support networks

Having a partner, family, and friends I can connect with – even if just to share a quick hello with or a funny photo through Messenger – can lift spirits.

I make a point to contact someone from my circle of family and friends each day just to let them know they’re in my thoughts, and the benefit of doing that is mutual.

Karen, Clinical Supervisor

 

Consider your perspective

What helps me feel more relaxed and balanced is when I remember that I can choose my perspective in any given situation; I can choose what meaning I attach to my experiences. This is emotional freedom to me.

Kate, Senior Supervisor

 

If you’re having a hard time and need some extra support, talking to a counsellor might help.

You can learn more about our counselling service here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment in person, over the phone, or via Zoom.

Potential Long-Term Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19

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COVID has changed our daily routines, separated us from loved ones, and put a pause on our future plans.

While it’s important to acknowledge that some people have suffered from COVID-related issues such as loneliness, loss of income, or increased rates of domestic violence, there have been some positive outcomes from the pandemic too.

Some people might be feeling more grateful for their friends and family, making increased efforts to spend quality time together post-lockdown.

Or perhaps they’re enjoying the flexibility of working from home as this has become a more common practice throughout businesses.

COVID has impacted everyone in one way or another.

We explore some of the potential lasting mental health and behavioural impacts of the pandemic.

 

Anxiety around our health

It’s reasonable to feel more worried about your physical health than you were before the pandemic.

You might find yourself singing ‘Happy Birthday’ in your head (twice) while washing your hands for the foreseeable future.

Improved hygiene practices aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but if excessive stress or fear around your health are negatively impacting you, it might help to speak to a counsellor.

 

Hesitation to make big plans

COVID has demonstrated how life can change very quickly (and very unpredictably) from one day to the next.

This ongoing uncertainty has some of us putting off future plans (like booking a holiday) or big life changes (like buying a house or changing jobs) until we feel like things have gone back to “normal”.

We explain why you should still take leave during COVID in this blog post.

 

Mental fatigue

Changing COVID mandates can be hard to keep up with. They require us to think through our daily routines in a way we’ve never had to. For example, the simple task of buying the groceries or going out for a meal.

“Before COVID-19, we walked through the door of a building,” an RAQ practitioner explains.

“Now we have to QR scan, put on our masks, and stay 1.5 metres apart. We make conscious decisions about how to enter a building, whereas a year ago, we just walked in.”

All this conscious decision-making can be exhausting and can impact our mental health and resilience.

 

Smaller – but closer – social networks

If COVID caused you to lose touch with some friends but become closer with others, you’re not alone. Research shows a lot of people ‘pruned’ their social connections during lockdowns, choosing to connect only with the people we were closest to.

It’s possible this ‘quality over quantity’ attitude toward friendship might continue as we prioritise our time and effort to nurture our close relationships. You can read more about how COVID has impacted our friendships in this blog post.

If you’re having a hard time or want to explore how COVID has impacted you, talking to a counsellor might help. You can learn more about our counselling service here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment in person, over the phone, or via Zoom.

Has COVID changed your friendships?

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The pandemic has made many of us re-evaluate our relationships.

It’s taken more effort than ever to stay in touch with the people we care about. We’ve had to be more deliberate with texts, calls, FaceTimes, and one-friend-at-a-time daily walks.

This has brought some friendships closer and caused others to drift apart.

Lockdowns and logistics aren’t the only factors that changed our friendships during COVID. Opposing views around mask mandates and vaccinations may also have caused rifts between friends.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s normal for friends to come and go throughout our lives. But maintaining some connections is important to prevent loneliness.

We explore how COVID has impacted our social lives and the importance of friendships for our mental and physical wellbeing.

 

Taking Stock of our Friendships

If you left lockdown with fewer friends, you’re not alone. Research shows many of us saw our friendship groups shrink due to venue closures preventing in-person catchups, and pandemic stress causing us to only want to connect with the people we were closest with.

Restrictions on group activities meant we weren’t running into the acquaintances and ‘sometimes’ friends we see at social events but wouldn’t necessarily spend one-on-one time with.

We were prioritising the people we care most about, and ‘pruning’ (whether consciously or not) the friendships that were superficial or already dwindling. You know what they say: quality over quantity.

 

The Importance of Connection

A 2020 study showed phone calls (59%) and video chats (57%) were the most popular ways to stay in touch from a distance, while texting and smartphone apps (e.g. What’sApp and Facebook Messenger) came in at 38%.

But even with technology at our fingertips, some of us isolated ourselves during lockdowns. The survey showed 7% of people weren’t keeping in touch with loved ones at all.

“I’m withdrawing. Communicating through media is draining,” a respondent stated.

It’s no surprise that 45% of us reported increased feelings of loneliness since COVID in 2020.

Research shows loneliness is as bad for us as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. It’s a major risk factor for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Loneliness is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Human connection is a core need and losing that connection can significantly impact our wellbeing.

If you’re feeling lonely but would rather isolate yourself than maintain your friendships, it might be a sign your mental health needs attention. Talking to a counsellor might help. You can learn more about our counselling service here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment.

Nervous about kickstarting your social life? You might find these tips helpful: Coping with Social Anxiety as Restrictions Ease

How to Keep the Romance Alive When You’re Working from Home with Your Partner

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Living and working in close quarters with your partner can take its toll.

It’s normal to feel crowded and crave some breathing room when sharing a space 24/7 – no matter how strong your relationship is.

You might find yourself becoming irritated by habits you’d never noticed before. Or perhaps you simply miss having some privacy throughout the day.

We hope this advice helps keep the romance alive and the tension at bay if you’re working from home with your partner.

 

Separate Your Workspaces

Avoid working in the same room if you can. It can help to have your own workspace to take calls and stay focused without someone typing away in the background.

If your home doesn’t have the space for two work areas, try separating your spaces with a room divider or tall plant. If all else fails, noise-cancelling earphones can create a sense of privacy (and hint that you’re not up for a chat).

 

Schedule in a ‘Do Not Disturb’ Period

Agree on a timeslot dedicated to ‘quiet time’ each day to eliminate distractions. This means no talking or texting each other until the time is up.

Whether it’s an hour or four, this allows you to focus on your work without your partner popping in to ask about dinner plans or to show you that funny dog meme.

 

Find Pockets of Alone Time

Depending on COVID restrictions in your area, you may be able to get out of the house and have some time to yourself.

You might like to eat your lunch at your favourite picnic spot or take a quick walk around the neighbourhood. If you’d rather stay indoors, you could create your own oasis in the bedroom by hanging fairy lights and reading or listening to a podcast with the door closed during your lunchbreak.

Sneaking in some solo time each day can make a huge difference if you’re feeling tapped out and short-tempered at home.

 

Prioritise Quality Time Together

It can be easy to take your partner’s company for granted when you spend all day under the same roof.

You might miss the days when you couldn’t wait to get home from work to share stories about your day. But when you’re working within metres of each other, it might feel like there’s not much left to talk about come knock-off time.

It’s important to make time for non-work-related conversations to maintain your friendship and intimacy outside of work hours.

Date nights are another great way to book in some romance. You might like to do something special like cook dinner together while listening to your favourite music, or have a board games night for some friendly (or flirty!) competition.

And don’t forget to keep up the physical affection and words of affirmation. A hug here and an “I love you” there can help show your love and appreciation throughout the day.

 

Everyone handles stress differently. And while it’s normal to feel irritable and overwhelmed to an extent, it’s important to seek help if you’re struggling to cope.

You can call us on 1300 364 277 to make an appointment with a professional counsellor over the phone or via video chat, or learn more about our counselling services here.

“What if parents disagree about their child getting the COVID vaccine?” and other FAQs

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For many parents, COVID-19 has added to the stress of already difficult family circumstances.

Your usual co-parenting arrangements might be disrupted by new challenges such as school closures, travel bans, social distancing, mask mandates, and conflicting opinions around vaccinations.

These changes may be causing some uncertainty and anxiety for you and your child.

We hope this information helps if you have questions about COVID impacting your situation.

As always, your child’s safety and best interests should be your main priority.

 

What can I do if my co-parent doesn’t want our child to get the COVID vaccine?

As the COVID vaccine becomes available to children, disagreements between parents may arise.

If safe to do so, you should discuss your concerns with your co-parent in a calm and respectful manner. This is a difficult time for everyone, so try to approach these conversations with empathy and understanding.

Both parents should refer to the same credible information about the vaccine, and seek professional advice from a trusted GP or specialist immunisation service. 

If you’re struggling to communicate respectfully or reach an agreement, mediation services or Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) may be a helpful option.

Our practitioners explain what mediation involves and how it can be beneficial in this blog post: What is Mediation?

 

Can I take my co-parent to court over the COVID vaccine?

If you’re unable to reach an agreement with your co-parent following mediation or FDR, going to court may be a last resort. This option can be greatly emotionally and financially taxing, so it’s best avoided wherever possible.

Further information, advice or referral to telephone-based dispute resolution services can be found on Family Relationships Online or by calling the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321.

 

I have to isolate and can’t follow our Family Court Orders, but my co-parent is pressuring me to follow them. What should I do?

If COVID-19 health directives interfere with court orders, as a first step, and if it is safe to do so, you should discuss the situation with the other parent to see if you can agree on changes to your parenting arrangements.

If you’ve received written directives to isolate, it may also help to share these with the other parent.

Parents or carers must act reasonably at all times. If a Court Order isn’t followed, the Court will consider whether the person had a reasonable excuse for not complying with Court Orders. A reasonable excuse may include that it was necessary to protect the health and safety of a person.

Every family’s situation is unique, so you may like to obtain independent legal advice from a family lawyer to help you understand your legal responsibilities.

 

Our orders can’t be followed as one parent/guardian isn’t vaccinated. What should we do?

If you have concerns that you or the other parent can’t follow your parenting orders due to vaccination status, you should seek independent legal advice from a Family Lawyer.

 

Can the Police enforce our parenting orders if they’re not being followed?

No. State police aren’t able to enforce parenting orders and are unable to get involved unless there are serious safety concerns for the child.

Parenting orders can only be enforced in the Court where they were made. If you’re concerned that a party may have breached a parenting order, your first step should be to engage in mediation and/or seek legal advice.

If you believe your children are in immediate danger, please contact the police in your state on 000. 

 

Helpful Resources for Parents

We have more tips for co-parenting during COVID here: Co-Parenting During COVID-19

It’s OK to Need a Break from COVID

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COVID-19 has been the hottest topic for nearly two years now. No matter where we go or who we speak to, it seems we can’t escape news or discussion of the pandemic.

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and need a break from this heavy topic – especially as we near the holiday period and want to focus on lighter things.

We hope this advice helps if you’re feeling burnt out by COVID mania.

 

Put a time limit on your news consumption

While it’s important to stay informed and be aware of the latest restrictions and health directives, too much “doomscrolling” can cause unnecessary stress and fear.

Try to limit your check-ins with the media to avoid overexposure to negative news, particularly at vulnerable times of the day, such as right before you go to sleep.

 

Express your boundaries early

COVID is impacting us all, and it’s only natural friends, family, and colleagues will want to talk about it at some point. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to avoid the topic, be sure to let the people around you know.

You could tell them how you’re feeling before you see them to ensure you’re on the same page. For example: “COVID has been making me feel stressed lately. Can we please stick to lighter topics today?”

Or you could let them know you’re open to a quick COVID-related vent but would like to steer the conversation to other topics for the rest of the interaction.

 

Have other topics prepared

Consider the things you would like to discuss, and have some questions ready to go before you meet. This can help ensure your conversation stays on track and there are no awkward silences that tempt you to default back to COVID chat.

Some conversation-starters might include:

  • What have you been watching/reading lately?
  • What are you doing for Christmas?
  • Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
  • Did you achieve this year’s resolutions?
  • How have you been spending your weekends?

 

Don’t repress your feelings

While it may help your mental wellbeing to take the spotlight off COVID, avoiding or repressing negative emotions altogether can cause more harm than good down the track.

Many of us are feeling stress and anxiety around COVID-related issues. You might be nervous about the uncertainty of the future, or maybe you’re grieving cancelled plans. Whatever it is, it’s important to acknowledge and process those feelings. Talking to a counsellor can help with this.

RAQ provides confidential counselling in person, over the phone, and over video chat. You can learn more here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment.

How are you really doing? We list the signs you might be struggling during COVID in this blog post.

Tips for Parents Struggling During COVID

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COVID has caused stress and burnout for a lot of parents. Lockdowns and home-schooling had us scrambling to keep our kids safe and entertained while we tried to hold onto our own sanity.

And even as restrictions ease and vaccine rates rise, the domino effects of COVID are still taking a toll on parents.

Raising kids is tough enough without the added challenges of the pandemic. You might be weighed down by uncertainty about the future. Maybe you have a newfound anxiety around your children’s health and hygiene. Or perhaps, like many, you’re simply exhausted by the increased time spent together in close quarters.

We hope this advice helps if you’re struggling with parental burnout during COVID.

 

Signs you might be struggling

While parenting is innately tough a lot of the time, these signs may indicate your mental health is suffering and you need some extra TLC.

  • Feeling tired and overwhelmed most of the time
  • Feeling more irritable and impatient than usual
  • Emotionally distancing yourself from your children
  • Feeling like you’re failing at parenting
  • Changes in your usual sleeping and/or eating patterns
  • Losing interest in hobbies and interests you normally enjoy
  • Wanting to isolate from the people around you
  • Having a strong lack of motivation and/or energy
  • Feeling hopeless and/or depressed
  • Using alcohol/drugs more than usual
  • Neglecting your own hygiene and appearance.

 

Looking after yourself

Here are some ways to manage stress and avoid burnout when you’re feeling overwhelmed as a parent.

Lean on your support networks

It’s not always easy to stick your hand up and say you need help – especially when it comes to parenting. But asking for and accepting help from loved ones can lighten the load and make a huge difference for you and your whole family.

Maybe you need a hand with practical day-to-day tasks, or maybe you just need another parent to vent with. Whatever they can do to make things a little easier, don’t be afraid to reach out and keep your support network close.

Prioritise downtime

We get it: parenting is a 24-hour gig. But self-care doesn’t have to take up hours of your time.

Even just a 30-minute read before bed or 10-minute meditation and/or cup of tea in silence can make all the difference to help you feel grounded and calm your nervous system.

Making the time for self-care is half the battle – feeling guilty about it is a whole other ballgame. Try to remind yourself that you’ll be a better parent for it, and you’ll be modelling the importance of self-care to your children.

Seek professional help

If you’re struggling to cope on your own, speaking to a counsellor can be a positive first step to addressing your mental health.

Talking to a counsellor in person, over the phone, or over Zoom can help you make sense of your feelings and identify potential solutions. You can learn more about our confidential counselling services here or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment.

You can find more tips to manage your mental health during COVID in this blog post written by one of our mental health professionals.

How to be There for Someone Struggling During COVID

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Written by Shirley Hussie – Relationship and Family Counsellor

The flow-on effects of COVID are still impacting us in one way or another.

Lockdowns and social distancing forced couples and families to spend more time together, putting extra pressure on relationships. For some couples, COVID has been a catalyst for breakdown in the relationship, leading to high levels of conflict and separation.

Some of us are experiencing the financial stress from loss of income, or the stress of working from home and having to home-school children.

Some young people are struggling to feel excited about their future, and there’s a general feeling of uncertainty about the state of the world.

It’s easy to feel helpless when someone you care about is having a hard time coping. We hope this advice helps you support them and maintain your own mental health during this time.

 

Signs Someone Might be Struggling

The best way to determine whether someone is struggling is to ask them, but these signs may indicate someone is having a tough time with their mental health:

  • Irritability or edginess
  • Withdrawing from friends and family
  • Being less responsive to texts and calls
  • Reports of changes in sleeping/eating
  • Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs
  • General changes in behaviour
  • Using social media to voice their concerns or ceasing to be active on social media.

 

How to Check in with Someone

These conversations aren’t always easy, but taking the time to check in lets your loved one know someone cares and they’re not alone.

The best way to support someone struggling is to create space for them to be heard. Ask if they’re OK, and truly listen and validate their feelings and concerns. Empathising with their situation can make the world of difference.

If you’ve picked up on some concerning behaviours, you can use those examples to start the conversation. For example, “I’ve noticed you haven’t been coming to as many social events. I’m just wondering how you’re doing at the moment?” 

 

Maintaining Your Mental Health During COVID

If you or someone you know is struggling, seeking support is a positive and powerful first step. You can seek support from a trusted friend or family member or get in touch with an organisation or private mental health provider.

A problem shared is a problem halved, and knowing that we’re not alone at this time is extremely important and helpful.

We could all benefit from some extra self-care right now. All this stress can have significant impacts on our life. It impacts us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Simple techniques to calm the nervous system and de-stress include:

  • Spending time in nature
  • Focusing on your breath
  • Going for a walk or run
  • Simply resting and being still
  • Listening to calming music
  • Meditating
  • Spending time with loved ones.

RAQ provides confidential counselling in person, over the phone, and over video chat. You can learn more here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment.

 

 Shirley Hussie is a Relationship Counsellor with over 20 years’ counselling experience.  Shirley has been with Relationships Australia QLD since March 2009 and has had extensive experience working with couples in conflict and couples at risk of separation as well as families at risk of breakdown.

Outside of RAQ, Shirley works in private practice as a Coach and Counsellor working with individuals and couples who struggle with unhealthy lifestyle habits including drug and alcohol addiction.  She helps them make positive change and regain control of their lives so they can thrive rather than survive.

Shirley’s passion for Counselling and Coaching is matched by her passion for transforming lives. This passion for transformation is at the heart of Shirley’s work for RAQ.