Headspace Launches Innovative New Way to Improve Your Mental Wellbeing

Find out everything you need to know about headspace’s new 'Decks'.

This post is presented in partnership with Chatime.

This article contains discussion about mental health. If you or someone you know is having a difficult time, visit headspace.org.au to get resources or to access support.

It's no secret that navigating the challenges of everyday life can be immensely draining. Sometimes, refusing to take off your pyjamas and binge-watching Friends might be all you can achieve. Unavoidably, we all have those days.

While accepting that feelings of exhaustion and burnout can occasionally be a thing, it's important to remember that you still need to take care of your mental health. You might feel like binge-watching Friends is helping you in a profound way, but it probably isn't.

So, how do you help yourself if you are feeling too overwhelmed to cope? If you are looking for a solutions-based option but don’t want to chat with a clinician just yet, headspace’s new 'Decks' might be exactly what you need in your life.

Headspace's 'Decks' are totally legit, having been tried and tested by young people in the headspace network. That means the content is clinically valid, relevant and solutions focused. Divvied up into five topics, the 'Decks' cover: 'understanding stress', 'staying active', 'sleep', 'understanding emotions' and 'problem-solving'.

With interactive elements, 'Decks' encourages you to select responses, write answers and use slider scales to identify your own needs, and set meaningful goals to improve your mental health. You will need to create an account to save your answers when using the interactive tool, but they will not be viewed by any clinicians.

Let’s take a closer look at a few of the topics.

Understanding stress.

Between pulling all-nighters to finish assignments, friendship troubles, and the general chaos that life occasionally throws at you, it can be hard to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Although stress is a completely natural response to tough situations, it can feel difficult to manage at times.

That’s where 'understanding stress' comes in. This topic covers what stress is, and what it feels like in our bodies. Additionally, it covers off ways to reduce stress, which we could all use a quick refresher on.

Sleep.

This topic goes out to the people with a messed-up sleep schedule. So, pretty much all of us, right?

We should really strive to get a healthy amount of sleep. As headspace puts it, "Getting the right amount of good sleep can give you more energy, improve concentration, help you deal with stress and, you guessed it, keep a healthy headspace."

This topic breaks down how much sleep you should be getting based on your age, sleep quality, and factors that might prevent us from getting our beauty rest. Unsurprisingly, a big one is spending time on screens before snoozing.

Understanding Emotions.

It’s true. Having feelings can absolutely suck. Luckily though, this topic can help you get a handle on those strong emotions.

Exploring how emotions are useful, how to recognise our emotions before they get the better of us, and how to respond to them, it is a great way to ensure you are maintaining a positive mindset.

As well as providing informative content, the topics also share real-life experiences from young people who are managing similar issues.

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or visit headspace to find your nearest centre or to get support online.

Chatime is a proud supporter of headspace. Remember, Student Edge members get 2 for $9 regular fruity/milky iced teas at Chatime.

Header Image: iStock.com/Mixmike