R U OK?Day 2026 is Thursday 10 September. It’s a day that encourages us to check in with the people around us, start meaningful conversations and let others know they don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.
But there’s another important question we can ask on R U OK?Day:
Are YOU OK?
It’s easy to spend so much time looking after family, friends, workmates and everyone else that we forget to check in with ourselves.
And sometimes, looking after your wellbeing means recognising that your physical health and mental wellbeing are connected.
What is R U OK?Day?
R U OK?Day is an Australian national day of action held on the second Thursday of September each year. In 2026, it falls on Thursday 10 September. The campaign encourages people to notice when someone might be struggling, ask how they’re really going, listen without judgement, encourage appropriate support and check in again.
The message isn’t simply about asking someone, “Are you OK?” and moving on.
It’s about creating genuine connection.
R U OK? recommends four key steps:
Ask → Listen → Encourage Action → Check In.
And while conversations about mental health are incredibly important, wellbeing isn’t just about what happens in our heads. Our physical health can also have a significant impact on how we feel, function and participate in everyday life.
Your physical health can affect how you’re feeling
Think about how you feel when you’re living with ongoing pain.
Maybe you’ve had back pain for months.
Perhaps your knee is stopping you from exercising.
Maybe your shoulder hurts every time you reach overhead.
Or you’re dealing with an injury that has made you give up activities you normally enjoy.
Physical problems can affect much more than your ability to move.
Persistent pain or injury can make it harder to exercise, sleep well, work comfortably, socialise or participate in hobbies. You might become frustrated because you’re not doing the things you used to do.
You may even start avoiding activities because you’re worried they’ll make your pain worse.
Over time, this can affect your confidence, independence and overall quality of life.
That’s why looking after your physical health can be an important part of looking after you.
Sometimes “I’m not OK” starts with your body
We often think of wellbeing as something separate from our physical health.
But imagine someone who has stopped going for their morning walks because of knee pain.
Or someone who has withdrawn from social activities because their back hurts after sitting or standing for too long.
Or someone who isn’t sleeping properly because of persistent neck or shoulder pain.
They might not say, “I’m struggling.”
Instead, they might simply say:
“My body just isn’t cooperating at the moment.”
This is where physiotherapy can help.
A physiotherapist can assess your movement, identify factors contributing to your pain or injury, explain what’s happening and develop a treatment and exercise plan to help you get back to the activities that matter to you.
And sometimes, taking that first step is as simple as making an appointment.
R U OK? – and your physiotherapist
Physiotherapy isn’t a replacement for mental health care, and your physiotherapist isn’t there to diagnose or treat mental health conditions.
However, physiotherapists regularly work with people whose physical health is affecting their everyday life.
At Logan Physio, we understand that pain and injury don’t happen in isolation.
You’re a whole person – not just a sore knee, stiff back or painful shoulder.
That’s why an appointment isn’t simply about treating a body part.
It’s about understanding what’s happening, what you want to get back to doing and what’s stopping you from getting there.
Maybe your goal is to:
- Get back to walking regularly
- Return to the gym
- Play sport again
- Sleep more comfortably
- Return to work
- Keep up with your kids or grandchildren
- Feel confident moving again
- Manage persistent or chronic pain
- Improve your strength and mobility
- Get back to doing the things you enjoy
These goals matter.
Don’t wait until things get worse
One of the most important messages from R U OK? is that you don’t need to wait for a crisis before you reach out.
The same principle can apply to your physical health.
You don’t necessarily need to wait until your pain becomes unbearable before seeing a physiotherapist.
If something has been bothering you for a while, you’re avoiding activities because of pain, or an injury just isn’t improving, getting it assessed can be a positive first step.
Early action may help you understand what’s going on and give you a clearer pathway forward.
And if you’re already living with chronic or complex musculoskeletal pain, having the right support can be particularly important.
This R U OK?Day, check in with yourself
On Thursday 10 September, ask the people around you:
“Are you OK?”
But take a moment to ask yourself the same question.
Are you moving the way you want to?
Are you doing the activities you enjoy?
Is pain stopping you from living your normal life?
Have you been putting off getting that injury checked?
Are you looking after your physical health as well as everyone else’s?
If the answer isn’t what you’d like it to be, that’s OK.
You don’t have to fix everything at once.
Sometimes the first step is simply recognising that something needs attention.
Your health is worth checking in on
R U OK?Day reminds us that a conversation can be the beginning of meaningful support. R U OK? reports that 9 in 10 people who are asked “Are you OK?” feel grateful, cared about and supported.
So check in with your friends.
Check in with your family.
Check in with your workmates.
And don’t forget to check in with yourself.
If persistent pain, an injury or reduced mobility is affecting your everyday life, a physiotherapy appointment could be a good place to start taking action.
At Logan Physio in Crestmead, our physiotherapists can assess your problem, answer your questions and help you develop a practical plan to get you moving towards your goals.
This R U OK?Day, don’t just ask how everyone else is going. Ask yourself, too.
And if the answer is “not really”, you don’t have to ignore it.
Ready to take the next step?
If pain or an injury has been getting in the way of the life you want to live, book an appointment with Logan Physio today and let’s work out a plan to get you moving again.
