Menu Close

Well Being Series

We are introducing our well-being series of articles. If you would like to be involved as a volunteer and prepare health related communications send us an email at info[@]pinkcross.org.au. We would love to have you on board as together we promote crucial, life-enhancing tips and strategies. Life is good!

Married to a Violent Christian Man?

It is a sad reality that family violence is rife across our nation. It does not discriminate based on race or faith, and it can leave serious and long term effects on survivors — both mentally and physically. Fortunately, sex trade and family violence survivor Barbara Roberts has established an amazing resource called ‘A Cry For Justice’.

This resource provides a safe environment in which survivors of family violence are believed and supported. It is also a place where people can further educate themselves about common ‘red flags’ and tactics used by abusers, as well as the truth on what scripture really has to say about abuse, marriage, and divorce.

A Cry for Justice highlights that God doesn’t hate the legal process of divorce; God hates the sins of adultery and emotional neglect that cause marriages to breakdown. This is an amazing and informative resource! Pink Cross highly recommends it to all our supporters!

See  ‘What is Abuse & What is the Christian Response?’ by Barbara Roberts.  

Do you Struggle with Suicidal or Dark Thoughts? Author Jas Rawlinson Wants to Change that!

Well regarded for her ethical and empathetic journalism when broaching sensitive topics, Jas Rawlinson is a Brisbane-based author, freelance journalist and mental health advocate who is passionate about changing her community through the power of words.

A strong activist for social justice, Jas was one of Pink Cross’s first supporters. In 2013 she lovingly crafted an article about our CEO Geneviève’s prostitution story.

She is also the Co-Founder of Brisbane’s first Domestic Violence Memorial, and in 2017 released a collection of inspiring Australian memoirs titled: Reasons to Live One More Day, Every Day: Stories of triumph from Australians who refused to give in to darkness.’ Including stories from everyday Australians, as well as well-known figures such as L-FRESH The LION, Michael Crossland, and Nicole Gibson, the book aims to reduce suicide rates, break down the stigma surrounding mental health, and provide readers with hope and comfort through their dark times. What a powerful book!

Don’t take just our word for it though! Recent reviews have also raved about the importance of such literature, with Dion Jensen (international speaker and founder of Success for Soldiers) describing the book as “Powerful…superbly disguised…a critical component in overcoming the darkness,” and best selling author Michael Crossland stating powerfully that “Everyone needs to read this book”.

You can grab your copy here

5 Signs You May Be In A Toxic Relationship

1) You are not afforded the opportunity to look after yourself
For any relationship to prosper both parties need to first look after themselves. If you are in a relationship where you are not afforded the time or opportunity to care for yourself this may be a sign of a potentially toxic relationship. 

2) Your partner is always offering up criticism 
Constructive criticism is an important part of life and vital to personal development. However, if you find your partner is constantly criticising you without prompt it may be an effort to exert control over you. This is unhealthy for any relationship.

3)  You feel drained or exhausted
The effects of being in a toxic relationship can manifest into physical symptoms. If you feel like your relationship is leaving you exhausted, or constantly draining your energy, it may be a sign of festering toxicity. 

4) Your partner consistently shuts down your opinion or ideas 
Communication is a vital part of any relationship, and you should feel free to voice your opinions, ideas and concerns with your significant other. If your partner consistently refuses to listen to you and your voice this is a massive red flag.

5) You feel like you are constantly making excuses for your partner’s behaviour
No relationship or individual is perfect, and we all experience bad days/ weeks from time to time. However, if you find yourself constantly making excuses for your partner’s behaviour, and find that they are not making a concerted effort to improve these negative patterns, then it may be time to consider leaving what could be a toxic relationship 

How to use mindfulness to get you through those long work days

1. Begin the day with a positive message— before you start the day choose a positive, quote, or saying and repeat it to yourself throughout the day. If you are of the Christian faith, begin your day with scripture, focus on God and allow the scripture to fill your spirit. 

Consider what your day has in store and choose a saying or piece of scripture that will be the most beneficial to you, for example, do you have a big presentation? How about “Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing“, T. Roosevelt; or if it is a stressful day and calmness is needed “Be still and know that I am God“, Psalms 46:10. 

2. Prioritise your breathing — Whilst this may seem simple it is hard to overlook the benefits of controlling your breathing particularly when it comes to elevating stress. Simply slowing down your breathing puts you in a calm state.

You can also try the 3,3,3 breathing technique of breathing through your nose for 3 seconds, holding the breath for 3 seconds then exhaling through your mouth for 3 seconds and feel the calmness. 
 

3. Utilise your lunch break —  It can be tempting to work through your lunch break, particularly if its a busy day but there are so many benefits to be achieved by stepping away from your desk.

Distancing yourself from your work by simply taking a walk or going out to eat can increase your concentration as well as your mental strength and make the afternoon much easier to get through. Using this time to pause, and be thankful can also be highly beneficial to your day. If you have faith in God a prayer of thanks can help yourself re-centre, if not a self reflection on the positives in life and the need to be grateful can reestablish an equilibrium and make sure you end the day in a productive manner.

Maximise your well-being with these 5 simple steps

1. Schedule a relaxing activity into your daily routine to escape the demands of life, even if just for a few minutes – walking, reading, etc.

2. Aim for a quality night’s sleep – if you struggle to sleep try relaxation techniques- deep breathing, guided visualisation etc.

3. Maintain your friendships- keep in contact with those your care about and arrange to undertake activities together that you all enjoy

4. Eat a balanced diet.

5. Be kind to yourself- show yourself compassion through the tough time and don’t forget to celebrate those little victories

en English
af Afrikaanssq Albanianam Amharicar Arabichy Armenianaz Azerbaijanieu Basquebe Belarusianbn Bengalibs Bosnianbg Bulgarianca Catalanceb Cebuanony Chichewazh-CN Chinese (Simplified)zh-TW Chinese (Traditional)co Corsicanhr Croatiancs Czechda Danishnl Dutchen Englisheo Esperantoet Estoniantl Filipinofi Finnishfr Frenchfy Frisiangl Galicianka Georgiande Germanel Greekgu Gujaratiht Haitian Creoleha Hausahaw Hawaiianiw Hebrewhi Hindihmn Hmonghu Hungarianis Icelandicig Igboid Indonesianga Irishit Italianja Japanesejw Javanesekn Kannadakk Kazakhkm Khmerko Koreanku Kurdish (Kurmanji)ky Kyrgyzlo Laola Latinlv Latvianlt Lithuanianlb Luxembourgishmk Macedonianmg Malagasyms Malayml Malayalammt Maltesemi Maorimr Marathimn Mongolianmy Myanmar (Burmese)ne Nepalino Norwegianps Pashtofa Persianpl Polishpt Portuguesepa Punjabiro Romanianru Russiansm Samoangd Scottish Gaelicsr Serbianst Sesothosn Shonasd Sindhisi Sinhalask Slovaksl Slovenianso Somalies Spanishsu Sudanesesw Swahilisv Swedishtg Tajikta Tamilte Teluguth Thaitr Turkishuk Ukrainianur Urduuz Uzbekvi Vietnamesecy Welshxh Xhosayi Yiddishyo Yorubazu Zulu