***Key Points***
Keeping yourself strong and healthy means:
– you will feel good and be more likely to create good habits for you, your partner and bub.
– looking after all aspects of yourself. Physical, emotional and cultural.
– you are giving bub the best start to life by being a deadly role model.
***Key Points***
***Staying strong and healthy in body***
You will notice your partners body changing as she works hard to grow bub. She probably likes some different food or has strange cravings! Whilst she is busy growing bub, it’s also important to for you to look after yourself. Staying strong and healthy in body gives you energy. Choosing to play sports or stay active by walking around along the river or beach keeps your body strong.
Pay attention to what food you are eating. Cut down on food with too much fat, sugar and salt. Too much food like hot chips and pies or drinking softdrinks can cause trouble in your body down the track. You might end up with health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure. Cook up some good healthy meals for you and your partner.
Even if it’s hard, give up any grog, smokes or drugs. Bub needs a healthy environment to grow proper. There’s support and services around to help if you need it.
***Staying strong and healthy in body***
***Staying strong and healthy in mind***
Mental health is really important.
Sometimes our lives can be stressful. Sometimes we have other kids or carry the responsibility of caring for other family members. Whilst it is good to take care of others, sometimes it can feel a bit much, especially if there has been trouble at home. Sometimes the pressure can get to us.
As Aboriginal people, we know we have strong minds but we still need to care of it and be kind to ourselves. To keep your mind strong, have a yarn to others who make you feel safe. It can be a mate, an Aboriginal Health Worker, a phoneline or SMS service especially for mob or a counsellor. Having a yarn can help get worries off your chest. If you have bigger troubles, a doctor can refer you to services to support you getting your mind healthy and right again.
Other ways of staying strong and healthy in mind are making some time to do things that make you feel good. You go for walks, listen to the radio, watch a funny movie or play cards with friends. Have a think what healthy things make you happy or calm.
Taking time for you is important and looking after your mental health is good for you, your bub and your family.
***Staying strong and healthy in mind***
***Staying strong and healthy in culture***
Staying connected to your Culture keeps you strong and healthy. Even if you don’t know much about your own mob, you can still connect to your culture with your heart and spirit.
Are there places in nature that make you feel good? Does being near the ocean, river or lakes make you calm? Do you feel more connected on the flat plains with the big open sky? Do you know where your mob is from? Spending time on Country (whether it is your own or if you live off Country) can make us feel grounded, safe and protected. When you feel this, your bub will too.
***Staying strong and healthy in culture***
Staying connected to your culture and remembering that culture is our protective factor will support you to stay strong physically, emotionally too. You are giving bub the best start to life by being a deadly role model.
