When you move to a new country, you may need to look after yourself in new ways.
Key takeaways
Self-care is an important part of any Australian journey. Find out what this might mean for you.
Here, we provide 5 helpful self-care tips for building a life in Australia.
Adapting to a new country can be hard. But it’s important to take care of yourself while you’re creating your new life in Australia.
These 5 self-care tips are great for anyone of any age, no matter what stage your Australian journey is at.
1. Build a circle of friends
Having healthy, strong connections with people you care about is an important part of staying mentally and emotionally healthy.
If you’re new to a country, consider joining a local club or sports team to widen your network. Volunteering is also a great way to meet new people with similar interests while getting involved with community events can help you meet people in your area.
2. Eat properly
When you move to a new country and the food options are different, it can be easy to fall into a pattern of eating unhealthily. But a well-balanced diet is important for both your physical and mental health.
It’s important to eat fewer foods that are high in salt and saturated fats, which can make you feel sluggish and impact your memory and concentration. Instead, fill your plate with lean protein and healthy fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, which can help you think clearly and feel great.1
3. Sleep well
Sleep is vital for good mental and physical wellbeing.
To get a good night’s rest, try to sleep and wake around the same times every day. It can also help to avoid alcohol, caffeine, heavy meals and screen time in the hours before bed.
4. Stay active
Whether it’s walking, biking, swimming, yoga, dancing or all of the above, physical activity can help your mind and body stay healthy and happy.
Try to be active every day, and, if you can, get outdoors as much as possible.
5. Monitor your sun exposure
Our bodies need vitamin D, and research shows that being outside in nature, like the beach, helps to promote good mental health.2
However, skin cancer is a serious risk in Australia.3 So, it’s important to be sun smart. Regularly applying SPF50+ sunscreen and wearing a hat and sunglasses can reduce your risk of sun damage, even on cloudy days.
At Bupa, trust is everything
Our health and wellbeing information is regularly reviewed and maintained by a team of healthcare experts, to ensure its relevancy and accuracy. Everyone's health journey is unique and health outcomes vary from person to person.
This content is not a replacement for personalised and specific medical, healthcare, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your health, see your doctor or other health professional.
1Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing. (2024). Australian guide to healthy eating. Australian Government.
2UC Davis Health Blog. (2023). 3 ways getting outside into nature helps improve your health. UC Davis Health.
3Cancer Council NSW. (2024). About skin cancer. Cancer Council NSW.
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