Personal Wellbeing
Accessing the right wellbeing resources can make a measurable difference to how we manage life’s challenges, both in and out of work. Whether it’s counselling services, mindfulness techniques, or financial advice, these tools can help us strengthen our mental, emotional and physical health.
At AccessEAP, we’ve curated easy-to-access, evidence-based, workplace wellbeing resources to support people wherever they are on their wellbeing journey.
After a Natural Disaster or Traumatic Event
Experiencing a natural disaster or traumatic event can bring intense emotions such as fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, or numbness—these are normal reactions to an abnormal situation. The shock, loss of control, and uncertainty can last weeks or even months, with memories sometimes triggering ongoing distress.
Self-care strategies include staying connected with others, keeping routines where possible, exercising, eating well, practising relaxation techniques, and allowing yourself time and space to process what happened. Avoid isolating yourself, overworking, overusing alcohol or stimulants, or making major life decisions during recovery.
For friends and family, offering empathy, listening without judgment, and giving space for recovery are key. Professional counselling can help you navigate emotional responses and develop strategies for healing.
Depression
Depression is more than occasional sadness, it’s a persistent feeling of low mood, loss of interest, or emotional fatigue that can make everyday tasks difficult. It may be linked to genetic factors, life experiences, or both, and affects around one in five Australian adults at some point in their lives. Common signs include ongoing sadness, reduced enjoyment, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, social withdrawal, and in some cases, thoughts of death or suicide.
Treatment often combines medication and talking therapies, tailored to individual needs. If you think you may be depressed, it’s important to speak to someone you trust, see your GP, or connect with a mental health professional.
Self-care strategies can also help improve mood, such as maintaining healthy routines, exercising, planning enjoyable activities, engaging in hobbies, connecting with others, and completing tasks that bring a sense of achievement. Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and distressing media can reduce negative emotional impacts.
Grief & Loss
Grief can feel overwhelming after the death of someone close, but over time, the pain often eases and memories become more comforting. The grieving process is unique for everyone and takes time, but strategies can help make it more manageable.
Helpful approaches include setting aside regular “grief time” to process feelings, allowing tears as a healthy release, and seeking support from trusted friends, family, or counsellors. Other ideas include journaling, creating memorials, commemorating special dates, and joining bereavement groups.
Self-care is vital. Maintain a daily routine, eat well, exercise, and practise relaxation techniques. Avoid relying on alcohol, drugs, or overwork to cope. Most importantly, be patient with yourself and reach out for professional help if grief feels overwhelming.
Self-Care
Looking after your wellbeing means taking time to reflect and make adjustments across all areas of life. The Five Pillars of Health: social, emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual -provide a framework for assessing balance. Regular self-reflection helps identify what’s working, where changes are needed, and how to build resilience, empathy, and better decision-making.
Self-care is especially important in emotionally demanding jobs, where it’s easy to feel drained or disconnected. Signs you may need to prioritise self-care include reduced job satisfaction, difficulty managing emotions, or distancing from others. Practical strategies include maintaining healthy boundaries, exercising, eating well, finding positive distractions, acknowledging your impact, seeking support early, and scheduling regular debriefs.
Sleep & Rest
Good quality, regular sleep is essential for mental, physical, and immune health. While nine hours a night is ideal, even small changes to your routine can improve rest. Short daytime naps or quiet “zone out” moments can also help refresh the mind and body.
Simple strategies include keeping a consistent bedtime, creating a calm wind-down period, avoiding stimulants before bed, and keeping the bedroom free from distractions. Soothing activities like a warm shower, reading, or soft music can help you drift off, while gentle techniques such as getting up for a calming drink or fresh air can break patterns of wakefulness.
Understanding Stress
Managing stress starts with setting priorities, saying no when needed, and not taking things personally. Let go of grudges, avoid dwelling on the past, and focus on healthy habits such as exercise, relaxation, and balanced nutrition. Create time for hobbies, relationships, and activities that help you recharge.
Practical techniques include mindful breathing, “Notice Five Things” exercises, and mindful walking to stay present. Circuit breakers like laughter, a warm bath, or reading for pleasure, can also help shift your mood. Recognising your stress triggers, reframing negative thoughts, and seeking support early are key to building resilience and maintaining wellbeing.
Support For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
AccessEAP recognises the importance of culturally sensitive counselling and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the workplace. Our approach values cooperation, respect, confidentiality, and the deep connections between individuals, families, communities, and Country.
We work with culturally aware counsellors experienced in collaborating with Aboriginal communities and understand that Western counselling methods may not always be suitable. Where requested, we can facilitate referrals to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander counsellors through our trusted networks.
Support For LGBTQIA+ Employees
AccessEAP provides respectful, compassionate, and accepting counselling for LGBTQIA+ employees, recognising both the shared and unique challenges faced by this community. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe, understood, and supported, with zero tolerance for discrimination.
Our counsellors can assist with a wide range of concerns, including coming out, gender transitioning, coping with stigma or discrimination, navigating identity in relationships, starting a family, and managing religious or community responses. Where preferred, we can connect you with counsellors who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Worry and Anxiety
Worry and anxiety often stem from “what if” thinking and imagining worst-case scenarios that may never happen. Focusing on the present, challenging negative assumptions, and assessing situations objectively can help break this cycle.
Physical relaxation is key. Notice where your body holds tension and deliberately release it to signal your brain to calm down. Setting aside a dedicated “worry time” each day allows you to contain anxious thoughts, while writing down concerns and possible solutions can prevent repetitive, unproductive thinking.