Caring for Your Mental Health During Times of Uncertainty
Riding the Waves of the New Year
On a recent trip to Byron Bay, I found myself standing on the shore, watching surfers glide across the ocean. They weren’t forcing the waves or fighting the water beneath them. Instead, they moved with it — subtly shifting their weight, stepping forward or back, staying balanced by responding to the wave’s natural energy. It was an elegant dance, calm and intentional.
Watching this unfold, I couldn’t help but think about how we, as humans, ride the waves of life — especially during times of uncertainty.
As the new year begins and summer settles in, many people feel pressure to reset, plan, or regain a sense of control. For many women and families, this season arrives with added emotional weight. Ongoing concern for loved ones far away, heightened social tension closer to home, and a steady sense of watchfulness can quietly take a toll.
Over time, this can lead to emotional fatigue — carrying responsibility, concern, and alertness for long periods without enough pause or rest.
The Subtle Impact of Ongoing Stress and Emotional Strain
The effects of ongoing stress are often subtle rather than dramatic. They may show up as exhaustion, short tempers, a constantly busy mind, or a feeling of never quite being able to switch off.
This isn’t weakness. It’s what happens when the nervous system remains on high alert for too long. Living with prolonged uncertainty can gradually wear down our sense of steadiness, even when we’re coping on the outside.
We Are Not Meant to Carry Everything Alone
My Jewish roots have long emphasised the importance of rhythm, rest, and community. We are not designed to endure stress in isolation. Just as Shabbat offers a pause in the week, nature offers seasonal reminders to soften, slow, and restore.
Life moves in cycles — times of lightness, times of grief or fear, moments of strength, and moments when we feel depleted.
Struggling does not mean something is wrong with you. It means you are responding to real circumstances with a human heart.
When the Mind Won’t Switch Off: Understanding Rumination
At the start of a new year, anxiety and rumination often increase — replaying events, scanning for danger, worrying about what might come next. For some communities, this can be intensified by historical memory and a strong sense of responsibility for one another.
From a therapeutic perspective, rumination is the mind’s attempt to create safety through control. Yet instead of helping, it often pulls us away from the present moment and disconnects us from what actually helps us feel grounded.
When our minds spiral, we stop noticing the steadiness of our breath, the grounding of our body, the comfort of familiar routines, and the reassurance of being held by community, family, or friends.
How Summer and Nature Can Support Mental Health
Summer offers a natural counterbalance to vigilance. Longer days, warmth, and time outdoors help regulate stress hormones and support emotional balance.
Simple, grounding practices can be especially supportive during this season:
– walking along the beach
– swimming and feeling the body fully immersed
– sitting in the sunshine with family or friends
– observing Shabbat in nature
– watching the sunset without news or commentary
These moments aren’t about escaping life — they help settle the nervous system. A calmer nervous system allows us to think more clearly, connect more deeply, and respond rather than react.
Moving With Life, Not Against It
Nature teaches us what counselling often reinforces: healing is not linear, growth is slow, and resilience includes rest.
For communities that value endurance and strength, allowing softness can feel uncomfortable. Yet softness does not mean disengagement — it means sustainability. Accepting that some days will feel heavier than others helps release self-judgement and creates space for compassion, for ourselves and for those around us.
Gentle Ways to Support Mental Health This Season
Begin the day with light: natural sunlight supports mood and sleep
Lower the bar where you can: not every task needs urgency or perfection
Stay connected: shared meals, conversation, and community matter
Ground the mind: when anxiety rises, notice five things you can see, hear, smell, or feel
Seek support early: counselling is not a last resort — it can be practical, preventative, and supportive during times of change
When Counselling Support Can Help
If stress, anxiety, or emotional fatigue feels persistent or overwhelming, counselling can provide a space to slow down, make sense of what you’re carrying, and gently restore balance.
At Boost Wellness Counselling in Melbourne, I support women and families navigating periods of uncertainty, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm — with compassion, care, and evidence-based support.
Stepping Forward Together
As we move into the fullness of the new year, remember: you don’t need to carry everything alone. You don’t need to have answers for the future. You don’t need to be unshakable.
Like the surfers riding the waves, balance often comes from responsiveness rather than rigidity — listening, adjusting, and allowing support when we need it.
Small shifts. Gentle steps. Trust in what steadies you.
The season is changing. Let it hold you. Let community support you. And let the year ahead be one where we move forward together — with compassion, resilience, and care.