WHERE A CAREER IN MENTAL HEALTH CAN TAKE YOU

Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the demand for careers within the Mental Health industry. If this is something of interest to you, let us make the decision process a little easier by guiding you through the career opportunities a diploma in Mental Health can offer you.

Mental Health includes a person's emotions, as well as their physical and social well being. Studying a mental health course will provide you with the practical skills you need to assist people affected by Mental Health on their recovery journey. 

Throughout the duration of this diploma, you will help people with mental health issues find solutions, and implement skills in a real work environment. 

Here are just a few career pathways you can take once having graduated: 

1.     Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker 

As a Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker, this is one of the more hands-on careers a diploma of Mental Health can offer you. In this role you will support individuals of all ages, helping them to develop new strengths and adjust to their more recent limitations. A day-to-day role in this position is helping to enable individuals to live and work independently post-injury, which may have left them debilitated.

2.     Mental Health Outreach Worker 

Working as a Mental Health Outreach Worker provides self-directed recovery support for people affected by mental illness and disabilities. A career in this role involves implementing local and community-based activities focusing on mental health and how it can be improved by the individual.

3.     Welfare Coordinator

 A welfare coordinator is a role within any particular business, who is responsible for the overall well being of staff members. With the intention to improve the working conditions and listen to the staff's requests, the welfare coordinator can perform their job in almost any field of work. 

One of the most common fields a welfare coordinator works in is within a school environment. 

Depending on the specifics of this role, a Welfare Coordinator is responsible for making sure all staff are provided with the tools and support system they need to perform their jobs correctly and teach their students.  

If a career within the Mental Health industry is right for you, give us a call on 1300 790 265 to speak with someone today.

Let’s kickstart your future, today. 

5 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR CONCENTRATION WHEN STUDYING

With all the distractions we’re faced with on a daily basis, from our computers, to our phones, it can be tricky to stay focused while studying. 

We’re unpacking five of our favourite methods for helping to boost - and maintain - your concentration while studying.

1.     Mute All  Notifications on your  Devices.

Whilst receiving a notification is only a small distraction, putting your phone down right away can be tricky. Reading the notification can lead to reflex habits, such as scrolling on social media. 

This is usually an unconscious decision, and as such can be difficult to eliminate. To avoid this temptation, log out of social media apps or mute chats that you may be tempted to check.

If you are working on a timely subject or wanting uninterrupted study time, it might be work turning your device off or putting it somewhere out of reach so you cannot see/hear the notifications. Allow yourself the reward once you’ve finished studying. 

2.     Take Regular Work Breaks 

Taking regular breaks can boost your energy levels, your motivation to sit down and study and your concentration, helping you to absorb and store new and useful information.

We recommend taking a mid morning break, and having something to eat to boost your brain power and get you up and out of your chair, as well as a longer lunch break doing something you enjoy, rather than scrolling through social media.

Go for a wal or call a friend; anything that's going to distract you and move your mind away from the content you are absorbing whilst studying. 

Not only will this help boost your concentration levels but also will decrease lower back pain and headaches. Win-win. 

3.     A Clean Environment 

Your environment plays a huge role in how well you are able to sit down and concentrate. Decluttering your home or your specific workspace allows your mind to feel free and to think more clearly. 

Have you thought about adding some greenery into your study area? This may not only increase concentration but improve the quality of air in your environment. 

4.     Exercise Before Studying 

Aim to get up 30 minutes of exercise before your allocated study time to get that body moving.

Moving your body can look different for everyone, this could be a quick walk before breakfast or a 20 minute yoga session. Whatever it may be, starting to implement movement in your daily routine can do wonders for your levels of concentration.

5.     Listen To Music 

Did you know playing soft relaxing music in the background can help stimulate your brain? From classical and instrumental music to electronic - a tune without lyrics is the perfect music to have playing in the background whilst retaining information. 

Whatever steps you choose to take, take care of yourself and good luck studying. 

FOODS THAT BOOST YOUR BRAIN POWER

High energy brain power foods are foods that give you energy. These are important because the more energy you have, the better you will feel and the more motivated you’ll be. 

The four main food groups that provide us with sustained energy and brain power include: 

Protein - When we consume protein sources our cognitive function and brain performance raises the levels of another amino acid called tyrosine which promotes the brain to manufacture norepinephrine and dopamine which keep you energised and alert as they promote alertness and activity. 

Protein Source Examples:

• Ret Meats

• Fish 

• Poultry 

• Nuts & Seeds

• Legumes and Beans 

Antioxidants - Evidence has been found that antioxidants (which are compounds found in food sources) play an instrument role in protecting the enzymes, fats and vitamins in the body and brain. Antioxidants protect the body and brain against oxidative stress as they shield the body from the destruction of free radicals. Improving the communication between brain cells and reducing inflammation throughout the body.

Antioxidant Source Examples:

• Berries 

• Pumpkin

• Mangoes

• Apricots

• Carrots

• Spinach 

• Dark Chocolate 

Omega 3 Fats - Studies have shown that the human brain is made up of 60% fat. Consuming foods that contain omega 3 fats such as oily fish, flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds help to build membranes around each cell in the body, including the brain cells which is turn then improve the structure of brain cells called neurons. Sources of Omega 3 fats have also shown to increase blood flow to the brain, boosting our cognition and thinking abilities. 

Omega 3 Fat Source Examples:

• Salmon 

• Tuna 

• Sardines 

• Walnuts 

• Flaxseeds 

• Chia Seeds 

Monounsaturated Fats - A diet that contains monounsaturated fats show to enhance cognitive function and boost our brain power. Monounsaturated fats are found food groups including olive oils, avocados and nuts, these foods provide nutrients that help develop and maintain healthy body cells, plus deliver a range of essentials vitamins and minerals. The human brain contains approximately one hundred billion neurons, so supporting these neurons is essential for healthy brain function. 

Monounsaturated Fat Source Examples 

• Avocados

• Nuts: Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts  

• Seeds: Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds 

• Olive Oils 

This week try incorporating a range of these different food group sources into your daily diet and see if you notice an impact on your brain’s productivity, innovation and clarity. 

PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES AFTER COMPLETING A CERTIFICATE III IN HORTICULTURE (AHC30716)

Have you ever wondered where a Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30716) could take you? 

There are many different avenues you can take post completely this certification:

• Landscape Design – Allows you to design and develop landscapes for specific sites, cultivating flowers, grasses, trees and shrubs.

• Horticulturalist – Conducts research in gardening and landscaping, plant propagation, crop production, plant breeding, genetic engineering, plant biochemistry, and plant physiology.

• Advisory Consultant – focuses on providing expert advice on within the horticultural industry. They may focus on plant nurseries, trees, turf, soils, home gardens.

• Irrigation Service Technician – Specialise in the design and installation of irrigation systems. They inspect, audit, adjust and repair the systems to ensure they perform at maximum efficiency and conserve water.

• Plant Pathologist – provide expert advice on plant health and can diagnose for diseases. 

• Horticultural Technician – plant and care for ground cover and trees in parks, on playgrounds, along public highways, and in other areas.

• Nursery Worker – Works outdoors or in a greenhouse. Their primary responsibility to plant, grow, water, transplant, prune, and generally care for plants, shrubs, and trees.

• Home Gardener – has the responsibility of looking after residential gardens. They monitor the health of all plants and greenspaces, water and feed plants where needed. They are also equipped with the skills to trim trees and shrubs, fertilize and mowing lawns, weed gardens beds. 

Ready to take the next step and start your Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30716)? 

Speak with one of our career consultations today at Stirling Institute of Australia – info@sia.edu.au or call us on 1300 790 265.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF STUDYING.

One of the most effective ways to study is by getting organising ahead of time. In this article we will step you through some of the key areas to prepare for your study year. 

Choose a Study Space – Choose a space in your house to set up a study area. When choosing a space consider the natural light and the accessibility to open a window. Having a space that offer optimal light and fresh air is recommended. 

Organise Your Desk – Once you have chosen the space in which you are going to study, set it up with some paper, pens and a jug of water. Being organised ahead of time with the resources you require will ensure you have successful study sessions. 

Organise Your Time – Work out which days you will be attending classes and then what additional time you will set aside for at home study sessions. Research from the BBC has indicated that the human brain can concentrate for no longer than 90 minutes before it needs a 15-minute break. Therefore, we recommend that you schedule your study in 90-minute block and then enjoy a 15-minute break. During this break, it is important that you are stepping out of the room you are studying in and either go for a short walk to stretch your legs or enjoy a nutrient-dense snack. 

Write important due dates into your calendar – Get organised by scheduling into your calendar all your due dates for assignments, tests and exams. This will assist you to keeping on track and knowing when deadlines are approaching. 

Weekly Study Plan – Each week consider writing yourself a weekly study plan on a Sunday, within this plan work out what areas of your course you are going to focus on and what assignments you will work on completing. Breaking this down into different study blocks during the week ensure that you will achieve you goals and stay on track.  

It should also be noted that it is important that you are balancing your study out with exercise, community sport, sleep and a healthy balanced diet. 

4 GREAT ONLINE HOME WORKOUTS

Keeping fit and active every-day is essential not only for our physical health but our mental health to. Experts suggest 30 minutes of exercise, at least five days a week, can make a big difference to our mental health and productivity levels in work and study (Victorian Government 2021). 

One of the most common barriers to people’s lack physical activity in their daily life is, time. The great news, however, is that today there are many free online home workouts available, that you can complete in the comfort of your own home. Check out a range of high and low intensity workout options that you can enjoy. 

Yoga with Adrien

Adriene Mishler hosts the popular YouTube channel, Yoga with Adrien each week she publishes free Yoga Videos and has a library of over 500 free videos which you can choose from. 

Move with Nicole 

Nicole is a Barre, Pilates & Fitness Instructor from Sydney Australia and hosts the Move with Nicole YouTube channel. Which offers a range of free fitness, Pilates and barre classes that will get your blood pumping and your body moving. 

Sam Wood TV 

Sam Wood’s 28 Day Program is Australia’s Number #1 online fitness and nutrition program. On Sam Wood TV you will find a range of fitness classes and inspiring videos that will support you in boosting your mental clarity and increase your fitness levels. 

Breathe & Flow 

Breathe & Flow offer a range of high-quality movement classes, breathwork and guided meditations to support you in unwinding and finding a greater sense of clarity in your everyday. 

We recommend choose around 2-3 high intensity workouts each week and balancing this with 2-3 low intensity workouts. By incorporating a range of high and low intensity classes into your week it ensures that you give your body time to recover, restore and realign. 

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN STUDYING A DIPLOMA OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

Did you know that according to The Melbourne Polytechnic, the community services industry is one of the largest industry areas in Australia? Close to 1.7 million people were employed in this industry, which is projected to increase to over 1.9 million by 2023.

But what does it mean to study Community Service? 

A Diploma in Community Service provides you with the skills to lead and support the community, attend to those who are recurring sufferers of mental health, alcohol and drug issues as well as help to identify those at risk and intervene to safeguard them. 

This diploma will also prepare you to work in fast-paced environments, such as one-on-one client services, school, or university visits. Students who study this diploma will quickly learn how to provide a holistic approach to all client needs, including social, emotional, psychological and practical support.

The duration of this diploma can be as short as 12 months and as stretched to 24 months. The curriculum highlights face-to-face classroom work, and online project work, as well as hands-on placement experience. 

To be accepted into this Diploma, one of the single admissions to get into this course is to have completed a Certificate IV in Community Services or a related field (Youth Work, Disability and Alcohol and Other Drugs). 

It’s also important to know what type of job you are eligible to apply for once you have graduated from your Diploma of Community Service. 
 
There is an ongoing list of specific occupations a Community Service worker can move into, some of which are:

●      Welfare worker

●      Community services worker

●      Early intervention worker

●      Family support worker

●      Case worker or manager

If you’re looking for a career within helping others and their communities, perhaps a diploma in Community Service is right for you. 

To learn more, contact us directly at info@sia.edu.au

THREE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO PLANT AT HOME THIS SUMMER

With all this extra time we have suddenly experienced at home this year, creating a fruit/veggie garden has never been more popular.

As we approach the warmer months, we need to look at what fruits and vegetables will thrive best in your garden over the summer. 

Here’s a list of some of our favourites that you might find are easier than you think to grow.

Chillies 

Heat is crucial for chillies to grow in your garden. They grow best when there is a hot, dry sun shining down on them each and every day for a long periods of time. Red or green, you name it, they are delicious home-grown over the summer period.  

Capsicums 

Another member of the solanaceae family, capsicums, just like chillies, are ideally best grown in the summertime. It’s best to pick your capsicum once the soil is over an estimated 20 degrees, and it’s up to you whether you pick them green, yellow or red. The longer you wait, the sweeter they get. 

Berries

Berries can thrive in even the smallest of places. If you plant your berry bush beside your campsicum, they will blossom almost anywhere, needing only the smallest amount of space. Some of the crowd-pleasing favorites during this busy time are strawberries and blueberries. 

The easiest part of planting your berries is, as you might have guessed, actually planting them. During the summer months, your berries will need a little more maintenance than you might have anticipated, and will need regular watering to survive the hotter days.

It’s important to make sure that once they have developed and are growing well, you are regularly picking the fruit. This is an important process as it encourages the plants regrowth and continual blossom.

If being outside with nature has been something you’ve enjoyed throughout this year, have you thought about a career in horticulture recently? Last month we wrote an article directed at all future students, starting what exact pathways may lead out studying to become a horticulture. 

Click here to read more about the career pathways horticulture has to offer.

HOW TO THRIVE DURING THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON

It’s without question that 2020 has thrown us in all sorts of directions. One thing we know for sure, is we all are in great need of a well deserved break over the Christmas season. 

This upcoming Christmas period is the perfect time to take a step back from your desk, close your emails and all work-related tabs, pull out your favorite book and take some time to put your feet up and reset your mind for the year. 

If you’re someone who is constantly on the go throughout the week you may be someone who falls under the bracket of feeling guilty for not working hard. Trust us - this is common and we’ve all been there. 

However, if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that stopping to reset is sometimes the best thing we need to regain focus and thrive in all aspects of our lives. Try to train your mindset into knowing that taking a step back is necessary for your growth and development. You cannot thrive in any aspects of your life if you’re burnt out and overwhelmed with all things around you. 

To help you stay on track and thrive throughout the Christmas period is to allow yourself to set boundaries. This may be in all aspects of your life, including taking on too many extra shifts at work or filling up your social calendar to see your friends and family. Set boundaries with yourself, your non-negotiables; things that you need to achieve or cross off your list daily to succeed. 

Allowing yourself the time you need to stop and breathe will not only help you thrive during your break, but also reset your mind ready to go back into work/school. It will most likely reset your mind enough to excite you to want to go back to work. 

Lastly and most importantly is make sure you’re having fun. You worked hard over the last 12 months, you deserve to have some ‘you’ time with your loved ones. Spend your free time with those who make you happy and who encourage you to be the best version of yourself. This will enable you to grow and thrive during the festive season. 

From all of us here at Stirling Institute, have a wonderful Christmas season and a very happy New Year.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU STUDY DIPLOMA OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE

First things first, congratulations on taking that step into your new career path and embarking - or thinking of embarking - on the study of a diploma of early childhood education and care. 

The Diploma is designed to produce educators who are responsible for developing and implementing early childhood education and care programs. If studying full time, getting your hands on this diploma will take approximately 12 months to 24 months to complete. 

This course is for those wishing to lead an education and care program for children before they enter formal schooling, a diploma such as this one further enables you to implement and manage education and care programs, whilst supervising staff and volunteers. This diploma will also provide you with the entry level knowledge and skills that will allow you to oversee the early childhood education and care service. 

Throughout most courses you will be required to undertake a minimum of 240 hours in an Australian Regulated Education and Care Service. 

With this diploma, there are a large number of placement hours, as well as assessments that will be required to be completed.

Some of these assessments include: 

• Written Assignment and Case Studies 

• Project/Research Reviews 

• Workplace Assessments 

• Knowledge questions

A Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a perfect pathway to a range of roles in the child supervision of other staff and volunteers. 

Some career opportunities include:

● Early Childhood Educator 

● Out-Of-School Hours Coordinator 

● Day Care Operator 

● Nanny 

● Assistant Educator in a Kindergarten or Preschool program working alongside a teacher. 

● Preschool Assistant 

● Early childhood center director or coordinator 

A Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is such a rewarding qualification to have, and is a smooth pathway into working with children. Please note there are no previous work or education requirements for entry into this diploma.

To learn more about our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113) - Commencing 2021 - click HERE.

10 SIMPLE TIPS TO UNLOCK YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL

Unlocking your true potential is something that takes time and focused energy. It isn’t something that can develop overnight, so take the time to really think about what you want out of life and how you’re going to achieve it and get there. 

Here are 10 of our tips to help get you started.

1.     Be ready and open to growth

Unlocking your full potential won't be easy. It will push and pull you in all sorts of directions, so you’ll need to ensure your head and heart are prepared to grow and change.

2.     Set honest short and long term goals

Setting yourself an ‘end goal’ is so important as it gives you something to work towards. It’s also super important to set yourself small achievable goals along the way to keep yourself accountable and motivated. 

3.     Let go of any negative thoughts towards yourself & and other people 

This is your race. Get into your own groove without the negativity in your life holding you back. Remember, that also includes your own negativity.

4.     Surround yourself with likeminded people. 

You are the best version of yourself when you're surrounded by like minded and supportive people. Find your group and work with them, not against them, to achieve your goals. 

5.     Make learning a lifelong endeavor. 

This may mean seeking out mentors, Facebook groups, or new courses - whatever it takes for you to continuously keep growing. Go out there and find it. 

6.     Treat failure as a part of success. 

Sometimes, failure is inevitable. That doesn’t need to be the reason to quit. Treat it as a challenge, one that you have just overcome to get closer to your end goal.

7.     Know what your priorities are.

Realising your full potential requires hard work and focus. Creating honest priorities in your life is so important. 

8.     Create a routine/daily schedule 

Think about what you want to achieve today. You need to manage your time well to be able to achieve everything you want within the day/week. Replace unnecessary habits like watching Netflix for three hours at breakfast to something more productive. 

9.     Enjoy even what may look like a small part of your day. 

Look out for the small wins within your day. Make a point of seeing something good in everyday and you will notice changes in how you view your days. 

10.   Lastly, (and arguably, most importantly) GO FOR IT.

If you have the right mindset and dedication, anything you set your mind towards is possible. Always give it your best and one day, before you know it, you’ll achieve what it was that you were working so hard towards.

THE DIFFERENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN TAKE AS A HORTICULTURIST

Horticulture is the science, study and business of growing fruits, vegetables and plants. If you’re studying horticulture, there are so many different job opportunities for you to explore. 

LANDSCAPING 

As a horticulturist, you may choose to work within construction and landscaping companies. This will allow you to design and develop landscapes for specific sites, cultivating flowers, grasses, trees and shrubs.

You then report back to clients on plant products and design plans on how to maintain the look and integrity of the greenery. What plants grow best together, whilst taking into account the climate and the soil within the area. 

ADVISING 

If communicating and meeting new people is something you enjoy, this may be the area for you to explore. Becoming a consultant for farmers or landscapers to provide information to enable them to maximize their crop output for the season is a popular field to explore. 

Doing this allows you to work closely with farmers providing them with insight on the types of soil they can use in order to protect their plants. 

EXPERIMENTATION AND RESEARCH 

A horticulturist may want to further explore plant research as a career. This will allow you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn more about specific plant evolution and development under specific circumstances. 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

Not all areas of horticulture mean working outside getting your hands dirty. 

Another career opportunity is working behind the scenes, making sure clients or the specific place of work is of standard with proper horticultural policies in place. 

Taking on an administrative role, you may also be responsible for planning landscaping and specific gardening projects. 

EDUCATION 
Once experienced within the field, you may want to look into teaching as a professor. This may be at university level, or talking at protests, information nights etc.

THE ROLE OF AN ALLIED HEALTH ASSISTANT

A job within the Allied Health sector can come in many different forms. 

It’s a combination of health care professionals, assistants and support workers who offer and provide a valuable service across a wide healthcare industry. 

If you’re looking at becoming an Allied Health assistant, you’ve come to the right place. Did you know there are approximately 195,000 Allied Health professionals within Australia who work alongside doctors and nurses to provide them with optimum healthcare for their patients? 

But what exactly does an Allied Health Assistant do? 

A qualified Allied Health Assistant has a basic knowledge of medical terms and skills to assist with patient health care programing, treatment plans and therapeutic support. Communication within this role is KEY. It is crucial to be able to communicate between patients and professionals. 

A day in the life of an Allied Health Assistant may include: 

• Liaising with patients. 

• Supporting and helping Allied Health practitioners with day-to-day tasks. 

• Developing, implementing and keeping a close watch on health care standards and policies for Allied Health and administrative staff. 

• Updating and recovering patient notes to create exercise/treatment plans - written and verbal. 

• Producing reports, budgeting and ordering supplies for the respected organisation. 

• Overall management and direction of organisation or facility. 

Where can an Allied Health Assistant work? 

Usually based within clinics or physicians offices, the opportunities for Allied Health Assistants are almost unlimited due to the high demand.  It may be a general position, therefore working for a large group of Allied Health professionals, or a specific occupational group, depending on your choice of workplace employment. 

Becoming an Allied Health worker has its many rewards. It is also a strong pathway for other medical professions such as physical therapists, speech pathology, radiographer, occupational therapist and so many more opportunities. This is such a rewarding career choice, one where no single day looks the same.

To learn more about a career in Allied Health Assistance, click HERE.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP

Sleep is one of the fundamental aspects that will support a healthy brain and body function and is just as important as eating healthy and exercising regularly. 

Sleep is essential because it enables the body to repair and be fit and ready for another day. Getting adequate rest each night will also help prevent excess weight gain, heart disease and decreased illness duration. Research has also identified that it reduces stress, inflammation and enhances your memory and retention rate (which is great, especially when studying). 

Our circadian rhythm is our 24-hour internal body clock, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle. Our circadian rhythm plays a fundamental role in our physical, mental, and behavioural changes and typically responses to light and dark. Brain wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration and other important biological processes are all determined by this cycle. 

Getting into a healthy sleep pattern is essential, our bodies thrive off routine, so to support our circadian rhythm, here are simple tips and tools:

•  Keep hydrated during the day 

•  Eat a nutritious and balanced diet, ensuring that you eat dinner at least 1.5 hours before you go to bed

•  Reduce your screen time after 8 pm at night, this helps to slow down the brain and relax the body 

•  Enjoy a warm bath or shower before bed to relax the muscles in your body and regulate our body temperature. 

•  Aim to go to bed at roughly the same time each night 

•  Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. 

•  If you’re someone that struggles to get to sleep each night, consider reading for 10 minutes before going to sleep or do some mindfulness or mediation to relax the mind

HOW TO STRUCTURE A SUCCESSFUL STUDY DAY

As a student, it can be difficult juggling study time with other commitments. 

 However, when we plan and structure our study, we can not only be more productive, but we can also achieve more. Have you ever heard the quote “if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do” – Lucille Ball. Organisation and structure are key! 

Here are some strategies to structure a successful study day: 

• Plan your day the day before – Each night set aside 10 minutes to work out what study you and going to complete the next day. Identify the units or tasks you are going to complete and write these down on paper. 

• Identify when you are going to complete your study – it is important to remember to have a break after sitting at your desk for 1 -2 hours so break your study into blocks and remember to have each with at least a 15-30-minute break in between.

• Schedule your study into your calendar – block the time out in your calendar so that you can clearly see on paper when you are going to achieve each of your study tasks the next day. 

It is important to remember to not overdo your study in one single day; it's more productive and efficient to just do a couple of hours each day than to cram all your study into one single day. 

Other key influencing factors that will support your study are: 

• Exercising – make sure you are getting outside and moving your body regularly for at least 40 – 50 minutes each day. 

• Nutrition – make a commitment to eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet that is full of vitamins, minerals and protein; this will boost your brainpower, mood and energy levels.

• Sleep – invest in deep sleep, this supports your memory and in turn, will assist in having a productive study day, where the brain will retain information. 

THREE SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR MOTIVATION

Keeping motivated at the best of times can be challenging. 

Sometimes it is really easy to get motivated and build excitement and other days you may find it nearly impossible to figure out how to motivate yourself to achieve your goals and aspirations. 

Procrastination and feeling uninspired is a regular feeling that individuals will experience from time to time, however, the great news is, that there are a number of ways we can spark the motivation back into our day to day, study and work life. 

The key is understanding what motivates you to achieve your goals, and for everyone, this will be completely different.

Here are three simple steps to discovering what motivates you:

1.     Define your goals – What do you want to achieve?

2.     Understand your why – Identify on paper the purpose behind why you want to achieve your goals.

3.     Produce a plan – once you have a goal in place, write down a plan and vision on how to achieve the goal, we recommend breaking the goal down into small 'mini' goals.

Once you have identified, what you want to achieve this will help to ignite the motivation back into your life. 

Other simply this you can do to boost your daily motivation include: 

• Exercising – Which helps to release serotonin and boost our mood and happiness, in turn increasing our motivation.

• Break down your goals – Write down a little daily goal you can achieve to get to your overall goal. 

• Stay in the zone – working for hours on end will reduce your motivation, aim to work for 1 – 2 hours and then have a 30 minutes break. 

The most important thing to remember is that you can’t achieve everything in one single day. So keep it fun, get creative and don’t forget to reward yourself along the way!

HOW TO STAY CONNECTED WHILE STUDYING/WORKING FROM HOME

For a lot of people, the sudden shift to working or studying from home poses the challenge of staying connected, whether it’s with coworkers or fellow students. 

Thankfully, there are many solutions readily available to us for online communication while we’re unable to spend time with people in person.

Prioritise Regular Coffee Chats

Not being able to see each other in person shouldn’t put an end to social coffee chats. Simple creating a routine, even once a week on a Monday or Friday, of group Zoom meetings over coffee can help to create a sense of normality to our routines. 

Alternatively, staying ‘online’ over Slack or an online messaging platform - letting people know you’re available to talk over coffee - is another way to keep conversations going and relationships strong.

Encourage Group Chats

Further to creating one-off meetings, encouraging an always-open group chat platform can help to foster a collaborative environment and aid in staying connected. This is especially helpful for employees or students working from home who enjoy regular conversations, and helps to keep moral high. 

Friday Wind Down

Getting together over a video conferencing platform, such as Zoom, on a Friday afternoon to celebrate the week’s achievements is great for staying connected and fostering relationships. A 45 minute catch up is all that’s needed, and this has the added benefit of instilling a sense of routine and normality in life. 

Buddy Up

If you’ve set aside time for a study session, it can be helpful to buddy up with someone who may also be studying. SImply having someone join you online - either via Zoom or Slack - for accountability can be a great motivator and can help you feel more connected.

There are many different ways to stay connected, whether it’s by setting up routines or doing impromptu catch ups, but more than ever it’s important to make a conscious effort to do so.

Above all - if you’re finding that working or studying from home is isolating, it’s important to reach out to someone. 

5 WAYS TO MOVE YOUR BODY AT HOME AND STAY ACTIVE DURING COVID-19

Exercise is an important part of a healthy routine, but it can also be challenging to achieve on a regular basis. Sometimes, life just gets in the way, and in a time of social distancing it’s important to vary your sources of activity.

Luckily, there are several ways to move your body and stay active at home during COVID-19, which is vital in maintaining physical and mental wellbeing. 

Online Workouts

We live in a time of instant access to information, and thankfully, we have a world of free information at our fingertips. YouTube is an incredible source of content, especially when it comes to instructional videos, such as workouts. Setting aside 30 minutes to an hour each day is a great way to keep active. An added bonus? Workout videos are often filmed in time with someone doing the workout too, so you won't feel alone in your activity!

Yoga

If you don’t already practice yoga, now is a great time to start. Not only is yoga a great way to exercise your body and increase your flexibility, it’s also wonderful at exercising your mind, too. 

Take a Daily Walk 

Taking some time to get outside, even for a short period of time, is a great way to keep active. Not only is walking or running great for your heart health, it’s also beneficial for alleviating depression and fatigue, improving your overall mood, improving endurance, circulation and posture and helps to reduce the risk of cancer and chronic diseases.

Take Desk Breaks

With the majority of people now finding themselves working from home, it’s easy to fall into the routing or spending long hours at your computer without moving. However, remembering to take regular break every hour or so, to stand up, helps to improve circulation and concentration.

At Home Cardio

While this form of cardio might be a little more challenging than getting out in the sunlight, it’s a valuable activity to actively take part in. Cardio at home doesn’t need to be difficult, and can be as easy as skipping or jumping jacks. THere are many online resources for at home cardio, including this article by Healthline for 19 Cardio Exercises You Can Do at Home 

However you choose to be active, just remember to have fun doing it. 

We’d love to know more about how you spend your time being active in the comment box below.

3 WAYS TO BOOST BRAIN POWER AND COGNITIVE THINKING

We’re all heard the saying: “your brain is like a muscle and needs to be exercised regularly”, and while your brain isn’t actually technically a muscle, the principal is true. The average person will only ever use 10% of their brain’s true power, so it makes sense to spend a little time working on it.

For a long time, it was believed that the brain you were born with is the brain you would always have, but luckily for us, we know that’s not true. When you spend time actively engaging and exercising your brain, your cognitive function increases and you benefit from sharper thinking, a higher retention rate for new information and more logical thinking.

Here are three simple ways to boost your brain power and cognitive thinking for a healthier brain.

Actively Challenge Your Brain

Simple activities, such as games, challenges or memory exercises are a great way to get your brain working as they can be an important form of cognitive training. Some examples are chess, scrabble, sudoku, jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. It’s important to remember that brain training can be fun, and - most importantly - enjoyed with others!

Nutrition

You are what you eat, and when you actively seek out to eat a nutrient-dense diet, you’re fueling your brain with everything it needs to perform highly. Some great foods for healthy brain cognition are:

~ Salmon - for a healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids which have been linked to larger brain volume and higher mental function.

~ Walnuts - for Vitamin E which has been shown to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

~ Eggs - for a healthy source of choline, a nutrient vital to maintaining memory and communication among brain cells. 

~ Spinach - for an excellent source of folic acid which has been shown to prevent dementia. In addition to this, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and dark, leafy greens can also help improve memory.

Exercise 

Daily movement and physical exercise are incredibly important to the function of the brain. Even smaller activities, such as walking, are beneficial to the brain.

Regular exercise produces aerobic health benefits to the brain as well as the lungs, heart, blood pressure, and general physical condition, and for those that don’t enjoy aerobic exercise, stationary exercises such as yoga have also shown to be beneficial to the brain.

Once you take actions to consistently challenge and flex your brain power, you’ll notice an increase in memory, brain function and retention of new information.

It’s also important to remember that you don’t need to tackle all these at once - choosing just one, or even two, and practicing them regularly will offer you a great benefit.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALLIED HEALTH ASSISTANT WORKERS

Have you been considering a career in Allied Health Assistance? One of the great benefits of studying a Certificate in Allied Health Assistance is the varied career opportunities that accompany it. You’ll have the chance to not only work in a wide range of settings, but you’ll also be working with a diverse range of clients with a challenging scope of work. 

An Allied Health Assistant has an incredibly hands-on and rewarding role, working directly under the supervision of health care professionals, but what exactly are your employment options?

Acute care and hospitals

Working directly with doctors and nurses, you will provide high quality clinical services to patients and their families or carers to optimise health outcomes. You will also be responsible for undertaking designated departmental and administrative tasks necessary to support service delivery.

Rehabilitation centres

Directly supporting health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, you’ll support patients on an individual and group basis in their rehabilitation. This will include supporting physiotherapy sessions, assisting with administrative tasks and supporting in and out patient activities. 

Aged care facilities

Supporting the aged care team, you’ll work closely with patients to ensure they’re well cared for, taking an active role in their daily activities. Here, you’ll also provide one-on-one assistance to patients and be a direct support to their families.

Schools with special needs students

Supporting teaching staff, you’ll work directly with professionals assisting in the care and education of students with special needs. You will also work closely in collaboration with services within the community to identify and provide early interventions for children and young people who have additional needs or are at risk of disengagement.

Across all industries, your core skills and duties will be applicable. Daily responsibilities will include:

~ Overall management and direction of facility or organisation

~ Assisting in administrative operations; reporting, budget planning and supply/equipment expenditure

~ Developing, implementing and monitoring health care standards and policies for Allied Health and administrative staff

~ Liaising with patients

~ Maintaining a comfortable, supportive environment through multiple practices.

~ Supporting and assisting Allied Health practitioners

In an industry with a 12.4% projected growth rate over the next 5 years, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a multitude of practices, across a wide range of practices.

If you’re interested in studying to be an Allied Health Assistant at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.