There are a few simple, steps we can take to look after ourselves and improve our mental health.
Take a look at the video if you want a reminder of what they are.
Leave a Like if the information helps you and check back on the YouTube channel for related content in future.
Men talking – Picture credit Pexels.com
The hardest part about living with a mental health challenge?
Others can’t see it.
Broken limb?
We wear a plaster cast.
Feeling broken down?
We need to start talking.
Being vulnerable.
Opening up about the hurt.
Inviting someone to support us.
In person, or online.
In confidence.
In our own interests (and for the sake of our loved ones).
It is always a good time to talk.
Workplaces Should Be Nightmare Free – (Image by Pixabay at Pexels.Com)
We can’t always be liked or respected by colleagues. Bad atmospheres can give us sleepless nights. Do you have a workplace nightmare story, that one that still makes you cringe years later?
Here’s mine.
The 1990s Were Different
Back to the 1990s there was no anti-discrimination legislation in the workplace covering people perceived to be LGBTQ+ (whether we actually belonged to one of those communities, or maybe were an equality ally).
From what I remember, being seen as not one-of-the-lads (or necessarily straight) had consequences:
(Strategy. If there’s a whispering campaign against you, find out who started it and ask them to stop, because no one wants to be harassed).
(Strategy. You have no obligation to share your truth, if you don’t want to. Maybe there is a staff representative group or union you can be supported by).
(Strategy. Realistically it is time to find new friends, since no one wants to socialise with a judgemental set of people).
Some People Are Privileged
It is a privilege to be in the majority. The status of majority-member is a powerful one. You get to chose how well you treat others.
Back in the 1990s privilege meant excluding anyone who couldn’t say they were a zero on the Kinsey scale (a lot of us can’t).
The lads leading that strategy in the 1990s will be in men in their fifties now. These days law and good management practice limit the space for the kind of open discrimination. I hope they have learnt the right lessons over those twenty years.
I also hope the strategies above help improve the atmosphere where you work (you can always reply to this post to suggest your recipe to wake up from your workplace nightmare).
Solving Problems Is Easier When We Act Together. (Picture credit Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels )
Today, of all days, it is worth saying that life without good mental health is hard.
From my experience, in the developed world, it can still feel dark, stressful, and overwhelming to struggle on alone.
In developed and developing nations stigma about mental health conditions can affect outcomes. In some countries and cultures mental health taboos can leave those issues to silently fester in the dark. People affected can hide their illness. It can feel their secret shame to bear alone.
Left untreated their illness can become more significant than it needed to be. That is bad news for their loved ones, their colleagues and everyone else affected.
So, to change those outcomes, wherever we live, tackling mental health issues needs to involve:
What has worked for you, or people you know?
Always worth remembering, wherever in the World we find ourselves, and whatever else is important in our lives, struggling alone is not a solution.
We are stronger together.
Step 4 in the Covid-19 recovery process means fewer restrictions.
Step 4 doesn’t mean everything is back to business as usual, workwise.
In fact, it could take a while for ‘usual’ to emerge.
Blended Working: Pros and Cons
How does a blended approach of 50:50 working from home and an office sound?
The Pros are obvious:
The Cons are less obvious:
What We Choose Affects Our Happiness
Our choices will affect our happiness.
A well-thought through choice will help build job satisfaction.
A casual one could cause damage.
So, it is worth taking time to figure out what we want from the work we do.
That reflection will help us form new work goals which help us deliver better results.
Why not have your say. What will you do differently, when you go back to work?
Experience less stress by getting out into the world – Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric from Pexels
Reaching A Goal Means Connecting To Others – Picture Credit Pexels.com
When it comes to the great achievement of the Moon landing ‘One small step’ and ‘One giant leap’ are perfect metaphors.
The giant leap involved a huge amount of teamwork, leading from President Kennedy’s ambitious idea in 1962 to a an awesome achievement celebrated by President Nixon in 1969.
To realise the major goal of a manned Moon landing it was necessary to break down that ambition into small bite sized chunks, assigning tasks to physicists, mathematicians, engineers, pilots and a network of other specialists, Once the stages were set the milestones completed and the risks managed the results became inevitable.
And so the example of the moon landing is useful for all of us when we think about the goals we wish to achieve.
For instance if the ambition after this summer is to get a new job by year’s end, there are several steps to take.
Doing this very important work, in bite sized chunks, makes accountability possible. Doing all the work means we can to stand up, breathe deep and reach for the stars.
What is your favourite way to achieve the biggest goals you face? Feel free to share this content, if you have found this post useful. You can Like or Comment too if you want.
How Do You Manage Your Stress? Picture from Pexels.com
If you have survived another busy week (mine involved plenty of running around for other people) I’ve got to ask, how do you let go of the stress, relax and become a nice person to be around once again?
In fact I remember a few years ago asking a group of carers (busy people responsible for loved ones’ well being) what they did to unwind and I still think their approach makes sense. They recommended
I have followed 2 of these strategies consistently and they help. Which ones do you follow or do you have other suggestions to share?
Goal Setting Ideas For The Year Ahead – Picture From Pexels.com
Christmas is nearly here. So a big Thank You is due to all those who work through the busy holiday period, making it less stressful for those of us coordinating parties, presents and people.
Everyone has ideas about how to be productive during busy times. I think there are 3 key principles we should hold on to, especially when we are surrounded by people wanting our attention, our commitment, or our energy. We should:
I think these ABC actions help, whether our goal is to thrive during the festive season or make change happen in the year ahead.
Feel free to Like and feedback if you try these principles out and they work for you (or share this post with someone who needs it).
Have a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
What Did You Learn From Stan Lee ?
I discovered the Marvel universe as a kid, when a mate loaned me a copy of an Avengers comic book. I loved it. I went on to enjoy the art bringing the adventures of dozens of Marvel heroes to life. Decades later I’m grateful to the inspiring vision of the late Stan Lee for all that joy. He said his goal for Marvel comics was that
“…someday an intelligent adult would not be embarrassed to walk down the street with a comic magazine”.
Mission accomplished. Marvel’s creative output would not be seen as ‘for kids’ but would successfully have something to say to the rest of us too. He achieved that goal and more. Many of us have owned trading cards, magazines and now films that are part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What Are My 3 Take Aways From Marvel’s Storytelling?
Teams rely on diverse talents to create exciting outcomes (what would Stan Lee’s characters be without Jack Kirby’s pencils…or the X Men without the Professor’s detachment and Logan’s passion)?
Strength isn’t about muscles ,it is about depth of character (take a look at Iron Man issues 120 to 128 in which Tony Stark deals with his alcohol dependency) Being aware of our own strengths and development needs gives us an edge
Leaders set the tone for the people around them , creating a healthy environment where colleagues can try different approaches, fail and learn from mistakes (think about how much room to operate Phil Coulson gives the agents of SHIELD)?
What have you learned about life by discovering the Marvel universe? Feel free to have your say by leaving a comment.
Excelsior!
Experience Your Life 