Back to Basics: The Simple Foundations of Mental Health
In the world of trade work, where early mornings, long days, and heavy workloads are part of the rhythm, it is easy to overlook the simplest things that keep a person steady. In one honest and down to earth video, a tradie opens up about a change in perspective that came with age. When asked what part of his mental health he takes more seriously now, his answer is simple but powerful: the basics.
The Wisdom of Simplicity
He explains that when he was younger, it was easy to get away with bad habits. A few hours of sleep, a couple of pies for lunch, an energy drink, a smoke, and a beer after work. It was all part of the culture. The body bounced back quickly, and there never seemed to be any long term cost. But as he got older, that changed. Suddenly, those shortcuts started taking a toll.
He laughs about it, but his point carries weight. The older he gets, the more he sees how much better life feels when the fundamentals are taken seriously. Eating well, getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and avoiding the quick fixes that drain energy rather than restore it. These simple actions have a direct effect on mental clarity, mood, and motivation.
When he says that if he looks after all of those things, the rest of life is way easier, it sounds straightforward, but it cuts right to the heart of what many people forget. True wellbeing is not built on complex routines or expensive solutions. It is built on the small daily choices that keep your body and mind aligned.
The Trade Life and Its Pressures
For anyone working in the trades, this message hits close to home. The job demands consistency and resilience. You are up before the sun, lifting, building, or climbing through the day, often in unpredictable weather. It takes energy, focus, and physical endurance to do that day after day.
The temptation to rely on caffeine, fast food, and quick rewards is strong because the pace of the work rarely slows down. But over time, those habits start to wear the body down. What feels manageable in your twenties becomes harder to bounce back from in your thirties and beyond. The speaker captures that shift perfectly when he admits that the things he once brushed off now play a huge role in how he feels, thinks, and performs.
Respecting the Basics
There is something timeless about his advice. It is not complicated or flashy, but it is the kind of wisdom that sticks because it is true. Sleep, food, movement, and moderation are not just physical needs. They are mental health foundations.
He points out that when those areas are looked after, everything else makes sense. Decisions are clearer. Moods are steadier. Work feels more manageable. Even relationships improve because you are not constantly running on empty. It is the difference between surviving and living well.
In the trades, the basics can often be the first things neglected. When the day starts early and ends late, it is easy to grab whatever food is fastest or to skip rest for another hour of work or socialising. But as he explains, it catches up to you. Taking care of yourself is not weakness. It is a sign of maturity and self respect.
Learning Through Experience
What makes his message resonate is that it comes from lived experience, not theory. He is not preaching or quoting a manual. He is just telling it how it is. When he was younger, he could push his limits and still bounce back the next morning. Now, he sees the value in prevention rather than recovery.
He even puts it in plain words that any tradie would understand. If he looks after himself, life does not lead him down the wrong path. His mind stays clearer, and the small problems do not spiral into big ones. That clarity, that ability to stay balanced and focused, is what helps him keep his life moving in the right direction.
It is not about perfection or strict routines. It is about being aware of what your body and mind need to function well. The speaker reminds us that ignoring those needs is a choice that eventually costs more than it saves.
The Changing Culture of the Trades
The fact that this conversation is happening at all shows how much the culture of the trades is evolving. In the past, mental health was rarely discussed. The idea of toughing it out was part of the job. Now, more tradies are speaking openly about what helps them stay grounded and healthy. It is not about being soft. It is about being smart enough to take care of the things that keep you performing at your best.
This new mindset is shaping a stronger generation of workers who understand that mental health and physical health are connected. Looking after one supports the other. A good night of sleep or a decent meal can make the difference between a bad day and a good one, between frustration and focus, between burnout and longevity.
Building a Strong Foundation
Every building needs a solid foundation, and the same is true for people. The tradie in the video draws that connection naturally. The basics such as rest, food, hydration, and balance are the foundation for everything else in life. If you neglect them, the structure starts to wobble. But if you look after them, everything above stays strong.
This perspective is especially valuable in an industry built on effort. Tradies push their bodies and minds harder than most, often without stopping to think about recovery. The idea that taking care of yourself is part of the job, not separate from it, is something worth spreading.
When he says do not neglect the basics because they look after us, it is not just advice. It is a reminder that those small, simple habits are the difference between getting through the week and thriving through it.
Conclusion
The message is clear and genuine. You do not need fancy strategies or perfect balance to take care of your mental health. You just need to respect the basics. Eat real food. Sleep properly. Cut back on the habits that drain you. Take the time to reset.
For tradies, this advice rings true because it comes from someone who lives the same grind. He knows the long hours, the heavy work, and the temptation to push through without pause. But he also knows that the best work and the best life come when the foundation is strong.
Looking after the basics is not just self care. It is part of the craft. The stronger you are in body and mind, the better you build, lead, and live. In the end, simplicity is not weakness. It is wisdom earned through experience, and it is what keeps life on solid ground.