Moreton Bay Ability

03/11/2025

So they don't get bat breath! 🦇

Halitosis (bad breath) is often caused by sulphur-producing bacteria living on the teeth, gums, the surface of the throat, mouth and tongue. The bacteria break down food particles and the decaying food produces a bad smell. 😮‍💨

Halitosis can be caused by:
👉 gum infections and disease (gingivitis and periodontitis)
👉 tooth decay
👉 dry mouth
👉 eating strong smelling foods (like garlic or onions)
👉 sinus infections
👉 smoking or va**ng
👉 drinking alcohol.

To help prevent halitosis, brush and floss your teeth regularly, drink plenty of water and have regular dental check-ups. It's also a good idea to quit smoking or va**ng and cut down on alcohol.

If your bad breath continues or gets worse, speak to your healthcare provider as you may have an underlying health issue. 🫢

ℹ️ Sources: Queensland Health; Health Direct.

31/10/2025

⚠️ WEATHER ALERT ⚠️

Increased Risk of Severe Weather today and the next few days 🟡

For the most up to date storm alert information and warnings please refer to the Bureau of Meteorology website: www.bom.gov.au or download the BOM Weather app to your device. Radar imagery at https://loom.ly/SZJf-nY

The Bureau of Meteorology web homepage provides the Australian community with access to weather forecasts, severe weather warnings, observations, flood information, marine and high seas forecasts and climate information.

31/10/2025

💙 To every parent raising a child with special needs — your strength, love, and patience are seen and deeply admired. 🌊

30/10/2025

You never really know what someone is carrying behind their smile.
Some people wake up every day fighting a battle they can't explain and still show up for work, their families, and their friends.
That's strength.
So before you tell someone to "just be positive,"
remember: kindness costs nothing, and it can change everything.

29/10/2025

Six different areas (or building blocks) of mental wellbeing. 👋
Each building block helps you respond to the range of mental tasks you face every day, in a unique and powerful way. To keep your mind in top shape, try using each building block regularly.
Do you do any of these activities? 🤔
ℹ️ Sources
Head To Health (2019). What helps us thrive?
Queensland Government. Your mental wellbeing - Dear Mind

28/10/2025

Just like muscles need rest after exercise, the brain does too. 🧠

The brain can't be 'on' and focused all the time. Having the occasional intentional daydream allows the mind to switch off and have a break.

Intentional daydreams happen 'on-purpose', and can have some amazing benefits. They can:
💭 reduce stress and anxiety
💭 assist in problem solving
💭 wake up unused areas of the brain
💭 help you to reach goals (using visualisation)
💭 boost creativity

While the occasional daydream can be good for you, too much can become unhealthy. This is called maladaptive daydreaming. It can occur in people with conditions such as ADHD, OCD and dissociative disorders. Anyone who has negative effects from daydreaming should speak to their healthcare provider.

Do you daydream? 🤔

ℹ️ Source:
VeryWellMind (2021). 5 Positive Effects of Daydreaming
AIPC (2019). The Benefits of Intentional Daydreaming
Cleveland Clinic (2022). Maladaptive Daydreaming

27/10/2025

Stress is often seen as a negative reaction to life experiences. But, did you know that stress can be positive? 😲

Positive stress (aka 'eustress') is different to negative stress ('distress') as it leads to a positive response, a bit like an adrenaline rush. 😁

Feeling positive stress can help your overall wellbeing. It is usually short-term and easily managed.

Eustress is often associated with feelings of excitement and challenge. Some examples include:
👉 getting a new job or a new project at work
👉 travelling to a new place you haven't been before
👉 a new romantic relationship
👉 reaching a personal fitness goal
👉 public speaking.

You can add more eustress into your life. Try learning something new, going out of your comfort zone, or exercising more! 🏃

When was the last time you felt positive stress? 🥰

ℹ️ Sources:
Health (2022). Good Stress: What Are the Benefits?
Very Well Mind (2022). What Is Eustress?
Healthline (2019). Eustress: The Good Stress

25/10/2025

Whenever you’re feeling anxious, try this quick and easy exercise for an instant relaxation hit!

Start by holding one hand in front of you with your fingers spread. Slowly trace outside your hand with the index finger on your other hand, breathing in when you trace up a finger, and out when you trace down.

24/10/2025

Is your inner voice positive or negative? 🗣️

Practising positive self-talk is important — it can help you to feel more optimistic, make better decisions, improve your self-esteem and work through problems easier.

If you find that you're talking to yourself in a negative way, try to turn it around. 👇

For further support to address negative self-talk, speak to your health care provider or contact Beyond Blue.

ℹ️ Sources:
Headspace. How to stop negative self-talk
Health Direct. (2022). Self-talk
Reachout. 3 ways to talk yourself up

23/10/2025

Thoughts, like breathing, can either be intentional or automatic. 🤔

Just as we can breathe deliberately (during meditation or breathing exercises), we can also choose to think, or not think, about a particular problem or situation.

A powerful way to manage your thoughts is to observe them from a distance instead of allowing yourself to become them. Remember: you are not your thoughts.

When a negative thought enters your mind, acknowledge the thought and question:
💭 How does my body feel?
💭 What has brought on this thinking?
💭 How much sleep have I had, and is this affecting my thoughts?
💭 Who may be contributing to these thoughts?

With practice, using this process in your head can help you be more intentional in your thinking and avoid those unhealthy thoughts. ✔️

If you are struggling with your mindset, support is available—book in to see your doctor or call Lifeline on (13 11 14).

ℹ️ Sources:
The Mayo Clinic (2022). Positive thinking: stop negative self-talk to reduce stress
Healthline (2021). 10 tips to take charge of your mindset and control your thoughts

22/10/2025

Things are heating up. These conditions are expected to continue into Friday.

View the current Heat Health Warning here 👉 https://www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/alerts/heat-health-warning

What you should do and what you should assist the people we support to do:
👉 Stay hydrated. Drink water (between 6-8 glasses each day).
👉 Stay out of the sun.
👉 Avoid or reduce strenuous activities.
👉 Remain indoors (preferably in air-conditioning). If you don’t have air conditioning at home, find somewhere like the shops, movies or library.
👉 Look after others (like the elderly, pregnant or young kids).
👉 Don’t leave children or pets in parked cars.
👉 Store food and medication at a safe temperature.
👉 Plan ahead if the electricity goes out.
👉 If you have to go outside, be sun safe by wearing a hat, long sleeves and light clothing, seeking shade where possible and applying sunscreen every two hours.

Extreme heat can affect anybody. It can also make existing medical conditions worse and can cause heat-related illness.

If you, or a person you know is showing signs of heat stroke, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice or visit your doctor. If it is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

For more information on how to stay safe in hot weather, visit: www.health.qld.gov.au/heatsafe

To stay informed and monitor the heatwave situation in Queensland, please visit: www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/heatwave.shtml

Queensland Health will issue an update if health advice changes.