Mind Psychology

18/12/2025

Anxiety, Social Media & the New Under-16 Ban

Australia’s world-first social media ban for people under 16 has started in December 2025, aiming to protect young people from online harms like cyberbullying, stress and negative comparison.
Reuters

While taking kids off social media can reduce exposure to problematic content and pressure, experts caution the sudden change itself may cause anxiety for some young people — especially those who rely on these spaces for connection, friendships or creative expression.
psychology.org.au

Why anxiety might arise

Being cut off from online social groups can feel isolating, especially for teens who use platforms to stay connected.
psychology.org.au

Social media use itself has been linked with stress, comparison and disrupted sleep — which can make existing anxiety worse.
eSafety Commissioner

A sudden shift away from familiar routines can be confronting for under-16s who’ve grown up online.
AAP News

How teens can cope
✔ Keep talking — share how you’re feeling with a trusted adult, friend or counsellor.
✔ Stay active — hobbies, sports or creative projects can bring structure and mood boosts.
✔ Balance screen time — consider using tech in ways that feel good rather than stressful.
Common Sense Media

Tips for parents & carers
💬 Have open, non-judgmental conversations about what the ban means and how your child feels about it.
7NEWS

👂 Listen and validate emotions — anxiety about big changes is real and normal.
🤝 Encourage offline social meet-ups and new interests to help replace online interactions.
Common Sense Media

📚 Seek professional help if anxiety significantly affects daily life — psychologists can support your child’s transition.
psychology.org.au

In short: while the ban aims to protect young people’s wellbeing, navigating it with empathy, communication and support can help reduce anxiety and make this transition easier for everyone. 💙

Looking for support? Contact us today 💙

17/12/2025

🚫 Australia’s social media ban for under-16s is now live!

From 10 December 2025, Australia has become the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts on major platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, X, Twitch and more.
BusinessMirror
+1

📱 Under the new law, tech companies must take reasonable steps to stop under-16s from holding accounts — using age checks, AI tools or other methods — or face fines of up to A$49.5 million.
ABC
+1

👧👦 The government says this move aims to protect kids from harmful content, online addiction and mental health pressures, while critics warn it could push young people to unregulated corners of the internet or isolate them from peer support.
BusinessMirror
+1

🗣️ What do you reckon? Is this a strong step for child safety — or does it go too far? Comment below! 🇦🇺✨

Looking for support? Contact us today 💙

12/12/2025

Validation isn’t about agreeing with someone — it’s about showing them their feelings make sense.

When we feel heard, understood, and taken seriously, something powerful happens:
we relax, we open up, and we trust more deeply.

✨ Validation sounds like:
“I can see why you’d feel that way.”
“That sounds really tough.”
“I’m here with you.”
“It makes sense you reacted like that.”

✨ Why it matters:

It reduces conflict

Strengthens emotional safety

Builds deeper connection

Helps people feel seen, not judged

Encourages honest communication

Validation turns conversations into connection, and connection into comfort.

💛 Sometimes the most healing thing you can offer isn’t advice — it’s understanding.

Looking for support? Contact us today 💙

11/12/2025

09/12/2025

Today marks Human Rights Day, a reminder that every person — regardless of background, ability, gender, identity, or circumstance — deserves dignity, safety, and equal opportunity.

Human rights aren’t just policies or laws.
They’re everyday actions:
✨ speaking up against discrimination
✨ treating people with respect
✨ creating spaces where everyone feels safe
✨ supporting fairness, justice, and equality

This year’s message is simple:
Human rights belong to all of us — always.

Let’s keep working towards a world where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.

09/12/2025

SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL BURNOUT

Burnout doesn’t always look dramatic — sometimes it shows up quietly, in ways we overlook. Here are signs you might be running on empty:

🔥 1. Constant exhaustion
Even after resting, you still feel drained — physically, mentally, emotionally.

🔥 2. Feeling “numb” or detached
Things you used to care about now feel distant or unimportant.

🔥 3. Irritability and short fuse
Small inconveniences feel overwhelming or set you off easily.

🔥 4. Trouble concentrating
Your brain feels foggy, slow, or overloaded.

🔥 5. Losing motivation
Tasks you normally handle feel impossible or pointless.

🔥 6. Withdrawing from people
You avoid messages, calls, or social plans because you don’t have the energy.

🔥 7. Feeling overwhelmed by simple things
Everyday tasks — dishes, emails, chores — suddenly feel like too much.

🔥 8. Increased anxiety or sadness
Your emotions feel heavier, sharper, or harder to manage.

🔥 9. Sleep changes
Either sleeping too much or struggling to sleep at all.

🔥 10. Feeling like you’re “just surviving”
You’re functioning, but not actually living.

💛 If this sounds familiar, it’s not a failure — it’s a sign you need rest, support, and space to breathe.
Burnout is real, and you deserve care just as much as anyone else.

Looking for support? Contact us today 💙

08/12/2025

💛Sunday anxiety doesn’t mean you’re failing — it’s a sign your mind needs rhythm, reassurance, and rest.

That “Sunday feeling” — the tight chest, the overthinking, the dread of Monday — is more common than people admit. Here are gentle ways to ease Sunday anxiety:

🌿 1. Plan, don’t panic
Write down what actually needs doing this week.
A clear plan beats a noisy mind.

🌿 2. Prepare small things early
Pick your outfit, prep lunch, tidy your space.
Future you will thank you.

🌿 3. Make Sunday enjoyable
Add something you genuinely look forward to — a walk, a nice meal, a slow morning.

🌿 4. Set boundaries with work
No “just quickly checking emails.”
Your weekend is still yours.

🌿 5. Limit doom-scrolling
Social media at night makes your brain feel busier than it is.

🌿 6. Try a wind-down ritual
A shower, light stretch, journalling, or gentle music can calm your nervous system.

🌿 7. Remind yourself you’ve handled Mondays before
You’re capable, even when your brain forgets.

Looking for support? Contact us today 💙

05/12/2025

Love Languages Beyond Romance 💛

Love languages aren’t just for couples — they show up in friendships, families, workplaces, and everyday interactions.

Understanding how people give and receive care can make all relationships stronger.

Here’s what love languages look like outside of romance:

💬 Words of Affirmation
Encouraging messages, thoughtful check-ins, or saying “I’m proud of you” to a mate or colleague.

🎁 Gifts
Small gestures like grabbing someone’s favourite snack, bringing coffee, or surprising a friend with something that reminded you of them.

🤝 Acts of Service
Helping with chores, offering a lift, supporting a co-worker with a task, or taking something off a friend’s plate when they’re overwhelmed.

⏰ Quality Time
Uninterrupted conversations, catching up over lunch, weekend walks, or simply being present without distractions.

🤗 Physical Touch
Hugs, a comforting pat on the back, linking arms, or sitting close to someone you trust — depending on the relationship and comfort level.

✨ Remember:
Love languages help us understand each other better. They’re not just about romance — they’re about connection, care, and feeling valued in all parts of life.

Looking for support? Contact us today 💙

04/12/2025

The Mental Load of Working Parents 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🧠

Being a working parent isn’t just about balancing a job and family — it’s also managing the mental load that comes with it.

The mental load is the invisible, constant thinking, planning, organising, and remembering that keeps a household running. And it’s exhausting.

Here’s what it often looks like:

🧾 Keeping track of school notes, appointments, and activities
🍎 Planning meals, groceries, lunchboxes, and snacks
🧺 Remembering laundry, cleaning, and household tasks
📅 Managing schedules, birthdays, playdates, and family commitments
💼 Switching between work mode and parent mode (sometimes within minutes)
❤️ Supporting kids emotionally while also managing your own wellbeing

Over time, this invisible workload can lead to stress, burnout, and feeling stretched too thin.

✨ If this is you:
You’re not failing — you’re carrying more than what others can see.
Asking for help, delegating tasks, and creating shared responsibilities isn’t a weakness — it’s essential.

Let’s normalise talking about the mental load so parents don’t feel like they have to carry it alone.

03/12/2025

International Day of Persons with Disabilities ♿💜

Today, we recognise the strength, resilience, and contributions of people with disabilities across our communities.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and creating environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It’s a reminder that disability is not a limitation — but society’s barriers can be.

Let’s commit to:
✨ Advocating for equal rights
✨ Challenging stigma and discrimination
✨ Building workplaces, communities, and systems that are inclusive and accessible
✨ Listening to lived experiences and elevating their voices

Inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.
Together, we can create a world where all people can participate fully and with dignity.

Looking for support? Contact us today 💙

02/12/2025

People-Pleasing: Why We Do It 🤝💛

People-pleasing often looks like being kind and helpful — but it’s usually driven by something deeper.

Here’s why many of us fall into the people-pleasing pattern:

🟡 Fear of conflict
Saying “no” feels risky, so we avoid disagreements to keep the peace.

🟡 Wanting approval
We’re wired to seek connection. If you were praised for being “good” growing up, you might link your worth to keeping others happy.

🟡 Low self-worth
People-pleasers often believe their needs matter less than everyone else’s.

🟡 Fear of disappointing others
The idea of letting someone down can trigger guilt, so we over-commit.

🟡 Old survival habits
For some, pleasing others was a way to stay safe in childhood — and the pattern continues into adulthood.

✨ Remember:
People-pleasing doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’ve been trying to protect yourself. With awareness, boundaries, and practice, you can break the cycle and show up in relationships in healthier, more balanced ways.

Looking for support? Contact us today 💙

01/12/2025

How Hormones Impact Your Mood 🧠✨

Hormones play a huge role in shaping how we feel — often more than we realise. They influence our energy, emotions, sleep, stress levels, and even motivation.

Here’s how some key hormones affect your mood:

💛 Serotonin – Helps stabilise mood, supports sleep and digestion, and creates a sense of wellbeing. Low levels can contribute to anxiety or low mood.

💜 Dopamine – The “motivation” and reward hormone. It boosts focus, drive, and pleasure. When it dips, you may feel unmotivated or flat.

❤️ Oxytocin – The “connection” hormone. It’s released through bonding, touch, and positive social interactions, helping reduce stress and increase trust.

💙 Cortisol – Your main stress hormone. Small amounts help you respond to challenges, but chronic high levels can lead to irritability, anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.

💗 Oestrogen & Progesterone – These fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and can impact mood, energy, and emotional sensitivity. Shifts may contribute to PMS or heightened stress.

🖤 Hormonal Imbalances – Conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorders, and perimenopause can also affect mood and mental clarity.

✨ Remember: Changes in mood don’t always mean something is wrong — sometimes it’s just your hormones doing their job. Being aware of your patterns can help you understand what your body needs.

Looking for support? Contact us today 💙