It's mental health week! Time to #getreal

How do you really feel right now? Are you overwhelmed by everything that’s going on or are you managing well?

Are your moods up and down? Are you sleeping and eating well?

As a leader, you need to be the best version of a leader you can be.

And you need to be aware that your employees are asking themselves many of these questions, or perhaps they are not. Perhaps they are unaware that they are not doing well.

It is Mental Health Week here in Ontario, and in many other places across Canada. And the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is asking us to #GetReal. 

We need to have real conversations and check-ins with our teams, our families, our colleagues, and friends. We need to be able to have frank discussions about feelings and emotions. And we need to do that with ourselves too.

We need to be okay if our children (or partners or parents) have melt-downs. We need to be understanding if we cry. We need to be understanding if this happens in the workplace wherever that might be right now.

Now is the perfect opportunity to open up the doors and windows that were closed to mental health discussions. 

Now is the perfect opportunity to support anyone suffering from anxiety, mental health illnesses or stress and to do so with compassion and empathy.

What is Mental Health?

“Mental health” refers to your overall psychological well-being. It includes the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage your feelings and deal with difficulties.

Did you know that according to CMHA in any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem or illness? 

Long before this COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness was becoming an epidemic and a public health concern. In 2018, the United Kingdom appointed a Minister of Loneliness. A lot of loneliness had to do with insufficient social connections.

That was then.

This is now.

The pandemic is going to likely increase the rate of mental illness, along with the health concerns arising from the virus. 

Below I share a number of tips to help you and your teams (home-team and work-team) take care of mental health, elevate mood, become more resilient, and manage the current crisis.

1. Stay connected

Well, we can’t meet in person in close proximity right now so we have to be creative. Can you go for a walk with a friend 6 metres apart? We are experiencing zoom fatigue right now so even a phone call will help stay connected. Hopping on virtual meet-ups and other social networks is good but we need to limit them. 

When physical distancing is no longer needed, in-person social connection is the best thing to help alleviate stress and boost your mood. 

Remember quality over quantity!

2. Keep moving 

Yes you know that staying active is good for the body, and it is also good for the brain. Regular exercise or activity has major positive effects on your mental and emotional health. It can relieve stress, improve memory, and help you sleep better.

So why is it that you can’t find the time? It’s about choice. More on that in the future.

Just f’*n do it! Yes, some tough love is needed once in a while. 

Health should be the number one priority. You can’t take care of others if you are not taking care of yourself.

3. Talk with someone you trust

This needs repeating. Talk to someone you trust, a mentor or a friend.

Have an open and friendly conversation. In-person social interaction with someone who cares is one of the most effective ways to calm your nervous system and relieve stress.

And remember to keep it real. Don’t sugarcoat your conversation if you feel awful. Get it out!

4. Relax, Rest and Rejuvenate

Part of staying healthy is taking rest, not only good sleep but other ways to keep your nervous system in balance. There are many relaxation options - yoga, mindfulness, meditation and deep breathing can help reduce levels of stress and anxiety.

Leisure time is an absolute must for emotional and mental health. You need those pauses throughout the day, some time to reflect and pay attention to the positive things, like the flowers you bought to brighten the space.

Writing things down helps. Write down what you are thankful for because they can be easy to forget and writing, you can reflect on them later if your mood is in need of a boost. I have a Jar of Joy and write down my gratitudes daily.

Getting proper sleep is also important. If you don’t believe me then ask Arianna Huffington, author of The Sleep Revolution. You’ve heard it said before to take a break from the stimulation of screens TV,  phones, tablets or computers before bedtime.

And don’t forget to breathe throughout the day.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

And do it anytime you need to. Three deep breaths in and out.

5. Align with your senses

Everyone has a different response to sensory input.

For some, it may be music and listening to an uplifting song makes them feel calm. For others, squeezing a stress ball or cuddling with a pet may help them feel centred.

What about taking a walk in nature and enjoying the sights and sounds of the trees? Do those tulips you just bought bring a smile to your face?

Try a few things and see how you respond, and get in tune with these feelings and emotions as what works best for you may differ from others.

6. Eat well for brain health

Okay now I am starting to sound like your mother! Why is it the simple things we forget? Eat well - pretty simple. Yet we can’t seem to do it. We reach for junk food and alcohol to numb the senses.

Foods that can support your mood include fatty fish rich in omega-3s, nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews and peanuts), avocados, beans, leafy greens (spinach, kale and brussels sprouts), and fresh fruit such as blueberries.

Meal plan ahead and it will make it easier. Make that online shopping list a healthy one!

7. Get help if necessary

While it’s important to talk with those trusted advisors, there may be a time where you, a loved one or one of your employees needs support. There are many programs and resources that are available to you, and hopefully, you have an employee and family assistance program or resources for you and your teams.

If you don’t, you can start with the CMHA which is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. Also, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has tons of great resources.

If you ever have any questions, or simply need someone to talk to reach out to us. We are here to help you and your teams stay healthy, mind, body and soul.