Monday, January 9, 2017
Finding Mental Wellness in 2017
Happy New Year, 2017!!!!
Should we welcome her with open arms or hands in pockets? Hard to say. A bit of both, I think.
No one really knows what to expect in this brand new year, and many hope it's a whole lot better than the one we just left. I know from my front porch, 2017 has to be a brighter year than 2016 gifted me. Let's just say that looking forward brings more hope and sunshine than looking back ever does. It always has, I know, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded every once in a while.
Let's Chat does just that. It reminds us of the importance of talking and sharing. I am really loving the television ads aimed at mental illness. (Rather, mental wellness. Can we call it that instead? It's so much more positive. And much less critical. We all want to strive for mental wellness, even if we haven't experienced mental illness, which, I'm afraid to say, is more prevalent than ever in each one of us. I know.)
A woman talks to the camera about her feelings and her fears. She then smiles. Her face actually lights up to euphoria when she then states that she's feeling better because he's feeling better. The camera pans to a man. Depression hurts everyone, women and men. The message invites the audience to help friends who may be suffering silently. And all depression sufferers are pretty good at putting on a bright smile when they need to. They don't want to be a burden to anyone else. They don't want to bring anyone else down. Their heads are fuzzy. They can't find a clear thought, remember a conversation, make a decision, or even interact without real effort. Numbness takes over. Life has no colour. Or meaning. Or purpose. They just want to get away from that nagging voice in their head that continues to persecute them. That same nagging voice sneaks up on a lot of people, I know.
My wish for 2017 is to prevent that nagging voice from stepping foot in my brain. And maybe someone else's too! It's not easy. There's lots of interference out there! The daily news only reports all the bad and miserable events in the world. One's purpose in life as a parent is not always clear now that the children are grown and out of the house. A love of writing, or teaching or business gets quashed when editors or principals or bosses deem one's efforts inadequate. Canadians, in general, can emote negative energy when it comes to snow, and cold, and grey, dull days. It's not easy to have a thick skin every day of the year. Winter is particularly difficult for depression sufferers. Thank goodness for the sunshine that brings warmth. And hope. And a reason to get out of bed. Sometimes. It's also just as easy to roll back over, hide under the covers, and wait for the day to end. Those covers bring comfort. They hide the hurt. And the self-loathing. And the rest of the world. I know.
This first day back to school, back to work, after a two- week reprieve from the world if you were so blessed, is challenging for many. It's especially challenging if it wasn't a reprieve at all! And it isn't, most of the time. Christmas is exhausting for someone whose heart just isn't in it. Whose head isn't in it. Who's thankful the whole hyped-up holiday is over! Commercialism kills Christmas! It just does. It pushes consumers to overindulge in order to plan the perfect Christmas by buying the perfect gifts, decorating the perfect tree, and serving the perfect meal. (Damn you, Martha Stewart!!!) But Christmas is all about joy, isn't it? And friendships? And love? If you're not loving yourself, it's hard to love anyone else. As much as you do adore them. I know. Oh boy, do I know.
So, this is when that television ad comes into play. Helping friends who're suffering to find mental wellness means lightening their load, just a smidge. I'll help you out a wee bit:
Don't ask them to make decisions. Decision making takes confidence, which isn't happening at the moment. Offer two suggestions that they can agree to without too much effort on anyone's part:
"What should we have for dinner tonight? Pasta or pizza? There's a frozen box in the freezer, we can just heat that up and we're done. Ok?"
Don't be critical; offer some kind, positive words about their success today, no matter how small. Just getting out of bed, having a shower, getting dressed is HUGE:
"You look cozy in those pyjamas! Want to just curl up and watch a movie or listen to some music with me?"
Offer a hug, even if they're not in the hugging mood, and hold on like you mean it until you're the last one to let go. To experience mental wellness, everyone needs to feel loved, and needed, and wanted.
Most importantly, just be there. Physically be there. See the person. Look into those eyes and bring some hope to that heart inside. Listen to their words. Really listen without judgment or expectations. Take the time to show a new friend some love. It takes a minute to show a heart-felt smile, to say, "How are you today?" like you really mean it, or to intentionally drop a toonie in a cup of someone who is really having a hard time in life. We all deserve mental wellness.
Thank you, Marianas Trench for showing us more ways to promote mental wellness.
Here's to a year where mental wellness becomes an epidemic!!!
Should we welcome her with open arms or hands in pockets? Hard to say. A bit of both, I think.
No one really knows what to expect in this brand new year, and many hope it's a whole lot better than the one we just left. I know from my front porch, 2017 has to be a brighter year than 2016 gifted me. Let's just say that looking forward brings more hope and sunshine than looking back ever does. It always has, I know, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded every once in a while.
Let's Chat does just that. It reminds us of the importance of talking and sharing. I am really loving the television ads aimed at mental illness. (Rather, mental wellness. Can we call it that instead? It's so much more positive. And much less critical. We all want to strive for mental wellness, even if we haven't experienced mental illness, which, I'm afraid to say, is more prevalent than ever in each one of us. I know.)
A woman talks to the camera about her feelings and her fears. She then smiles. Her face actually lights up to euphoria when she then states that she's feeling better because he's feeling better. The camera pans to a man. Depression hurts everyone, women and men. The message invites the audience to help friends who may be suffering silently. And all depression sufferers are pretty good at putting on a bright smile when they need to. They don't want to be a burden to anyone else. They don't want to bring anyone else down. Their heads are fuzzy. They can't find a clear thought, remember a conversation, make a decision, or even interact without real effort. Numbness takes over. Life has no colour. Or meaning. Or purpose. They just want to get away from that nagging voice in their head that continues to persecute them. That same nagging voice sneaks up on a lot of people, I know.
My wish for 2017 is to prevent that nagging voice from stepping foot in my brain. And maybe someone else's too! It's not easy. There's lots of interference out there! The daily news only reports all the bad and miserable events in the world. One's purpose in life as a parent is not always clear now that the children are grown and out of the house. A love of writing, or teaching or business gets quashed when editors or principals or bosses deem one's efforts inadequate. Canadians, in general, can emote negative energy when it comes to snow, and cold, and grey, dull days. It's not easy to have a thick skin every day of the year. Winter is particularly difficult for depression sufferers. Thank goodness for the sunshine that brings warmth. And hope. And a reason to get out of bed. Sometimes. It's also just as easy to roll back over, hide under the covers, and wait for the day to end. Those covers bring comfort. They hide the hurt. And the self-loathing. And the rest of the world. I know.
This first day back to school, back to work, after a two- week reprieve from the world if you were so blessed, is challenging for many. It's especially challenging if it wasn't a reprieve at all! And it isn't, most of the time. Christmas is exhausting for someone whose heart just isn't in it. Whose head isn't in it. Who's thankful the whole hyped-up holiday is over! Commercialism kills Christmas! It just does. It pushes consumers to overindulge in order to plan the perfect Christmas by buying the perfect gifts, decorating the perfect tree, and serving the perfect meal. (Damn you, Martha Stewart!!!) But Christmas is all about joy, isn't it? And friendships? And love? If you're not loving yourself, it's hard to love anyone else. As much as you do adore them. I know. Oh boy, do I know.
So, this is when that television ad comes into play. Helping friends who're suffering to find mental wellness means lightening their load, just a smidge. I'll help you out a wee bit:
Don't ask them to make decisions. Decision making takes confidence, which isn't happening at the moment. Offer two suggestions that they can agree to without too much effort on anyone's part:
"What should we have for dinner tonight? Pasta or pizza? There's a frozen box in the freezer, we can just heat that up and we're done. Ok?"
Don't be critical; offer some kind, positive words about their success today, no matter how small. Just getting out of bed, having a shower, getting dressed is HUGE:
"You look cozy in those pyjamas! Want to just curl up and watch a movie or listen to some music with me?"
Offer a hug, even if they're not in the hugging mood, and hold on like you mean it until you're the last one to let go. To experience mental wellness, everyone needs to feel loved, and needed, and wanted.
Most importantly, just be there. Physically be there. See the person. Look into those eyes and bring some hope to that heart inside. Listen to their words. Really listen without judgment or expectations. Take the time to show a new friend some love. It takes a minute to show a heart-felt smile, to say, "How are you today?" like you really mean it, or to intentionally drop a toonie in a cup of someone who is really having a hard time in life. We all deserve mental wellness.
Thank you, Marianas Trench for showing us more ways to promote mental wellness.
Here's to a year where mental wellness becomes an epidemic!!!
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