October is Mental Health Month, and World Mental Health Day falls on 10 October. It is a day set aside each year to raise awareness, reduce stigma and remind everyone that mental health deserves the same attention as physical health.
In Canberra, October also happens to be one of the best months of the year. The cold has lifted and the city is in bloom. There is a natural overlap here that is worth paying attention to: spring gives us more daylight, more reason to be outside and more opportunities for the kind of small, everyday habits that genuinely support mental health.
World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Month
Mental Health Month is coordinated nationally by Mental Health Australia, with World Mental Health Day itself observed on 10 October. This year’s Australian theme, ‘Together we thrive’, speaks to something a lot of people are feeling. Life has felt like a lot lately, for a wide range of reasons, and it is easy to feel disconnected from the people and things that usually keep us grounded.
The idea behind the theme is straightforward. We are not designed to manage everything alone, and small, everyday moments of care, kindness, conversation and connection genuinely help. That might mean checking in with a friend, having a real conversation instead of a passing one, or simply showing up for someone who is doing it tough.
Mental Health Month is a good prompt to do two things: check in on your own mental health, and check in on the people around you.
Why small habits matter more than big changes
When people think about improving their mental health, it is easy to picture something dramatic: a complete lifestyle overhaul, a big decision, a fresh start. In reality, the habits that make the most lasting difference tend to be small, repeatable and easy to sustain.
This matters because big changes are hard to maintain, particularly when life is already busy. Small habits, on the other hand, can be built into an existing routine without requiring much extra time, money or motivation. They also compound. A ten-minute walk most days adds up to a meaningful amount of movement and fresh air over a month.
Everyday habits worth building into spring
Spring in Canberra brings a genuine shift in what is possible day to day. Longer daylight hours and milder weather make it easier to build habits that support mental wellbeing without much extra effort. A few worth considering:
- Get outside earlier in the day: morning light helps regulate your body clock and can improve mood and energy for the rest of the day.
- Take movement outdoors where you can: a walk around the lake, a bike ride along a bike path, or simply sitting outside for lunch instead of at a desk.
- Protect small pockets of unstructured time: not every part of the day needs a purpose. A few minutes with no agenda can be genuinely restorative.
- Reach out to someone you have been meaning to check in with: a short message or phone call is a small act that often means more than people expect.
- Notice the season changing around you: Canberra’s spring is dramatic, and there is real value in paying attention to it rather than letting it pass by unnoticed.
- Keep a simple, low-pressure routine around sleep: longer daylight hours can disrupt sleep patterns for some people, so it is worth being deliberate about winding down in the evening.
Floriade and getting outside
Floriade is on until Sunday 11 October, and it is one of the easiest ways to take advantage of Canberra’s spring. Beyond the obvious appeal of the flowers, there is something genuinely grounding about spending time outdoors in a beautiful, unhurried environment.
Time in nature has a well-established relationship with mental wellbeing. It is associated with reduced stress, improved mood and a general sense of calm. A wander through Floriade, a walk along the lake, or time in one of Canberra’s many green spaces all count.
Think Mental Health support
Everyday habits like the ones above genuinely help, but they are not a substitute for professional support when it is needed. If you have been feeling persistently low, anxious, overwhelmed or disconnected for more than a couple of weeks, that is worth raising with a GP, regardless of what season it is or how good the weather has been.
Think Mental Health’s clinic offers psychology, psychiatry and GP services. We offer appointments in person and via telehealth, and our team can work with you to find an approach that fits your life. If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing warrants support, please do not let that uncertainty stop you from reaching out.
To make an appointment or find out more, visit thinkmh.com.au or speak to your GP about a referral.