Take a mental-health checkpoint
BY ALLISON ROGERS
Nearly at the year mark in this global pandemic, you are undoubtedly tired. We all are. Days drag on like cold molasses. We miss social contact. A return to ‘normal life’ seems six horizons away.
What strategies are you taking to keep yourself sane?
Conversations recognizing the importance of mental health have been pushed into the shadows amid the pandemic. We’ve been more aware of our physical health than ever—a simple trip to the grocery store can even involve a symptom check-in—but how do you really feel?
According to the latest survey conducted by the Canadian Mental Health Association regarding the mental health impacts of COVID-19 during the second wave of the pandemic, one in 10 Canadians (10 percent) reported concern for their mental health. That’s up four percent from May 2020, when six percent of Canadians reported the same feeling.
There is absolutely no shame in admitting the pressure of the pandemic. Zeus will not send his almighty thunderbolt after you if you admit you’re feeling glum.
The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone; the concept of global crisis means there are millions of people experiencing the exact same feelings as you. A simple glance through your contacts or friends list can dig up dozens of individuals that are just as pandemicdrained as you are.
Talk to them—take some weight off your shoulders. Cliché as it may be, a five-minute unload can do wonders for mental clarity. If you don’t peg yourself as the so-called ‘emotional type,’ try doing it in the mirror. Talk to your dog. Talk to your tools. Release any pentup frustrations—just don’t hurt anyone or break anything in the process. This magazine will not be held liable.
The consequences of pent-up frustrations far outweigh those of letting your feelings be known. In a time where life seems to be pushing from every side, you can’t let a simple screw-up dismantle your determination. Stay conscious—and in control—of your moods.
To all the bodywork professionals out there, keep up your work. Know that your efforts and passion inspire and allow so many others to persist each and every day.
And take care of your mental health the same way you’d attend to a freshly-painted panel.
