It can seem like the answers are changing as quickly as the questions these days. Although we all wonder about the future, just keeping up with everyday life can feel like a daunting task. Part II of this engaging chat with Melissa Doman, M.A. centers on maintaining a resilient mindset through the huge challenges of our brave new world. [0:31] A Constant State of Emergency From concerns about the ongoing pandemic to the economic crises that present a tangible threat to our ways of life, it can seem like there is always a puzzle of some sort to solve in these troubled times. Good physical health along with economic and social stability form a dominant share of our overall wellness, and when these are placed into uncertainty by our everyday circumstances, finding a moment's peace can prove a challenge in and of itself. [4:15] Programmed to Panic We think of ourselves as highly advanced creatures, but on a fundamental level we process the world around us in a very basic way. Lifestyle stressors such as economic and social concerns affect our bodies in many of the same ways that immediate physical danger affected our ancestors; your brain makes very little distinction between an eviction notice and a crouching tiger from a physiological perspective. However, this means the solutions can be equally rudimentary...something as simple as proper breathing can enhance calm and focus. [5:47] Give it a Rest Constant connection to the digital tools that power our personal and professional lives is a consistent contributor to our stress levels. The effects of dedicated relaxation on the body and mind have been repeatedly borne out by clinical study, and so taking frequent breaks from technology is absolutely imperative to maintaining a mindset centered on the present instead of always seeking out the next problem to solve. [8:23] Perfection as a Distraction An important thing to understand about life on Planet Earth is that ¨perfect¨ is a myth. Melissa holds this social construct of perfection up as one of the most harmful ideas we accept, as we all have our finest moments, and others where we struggle. For this reason, in her view, a key piece of the mental health puzzle involves creating moments for check-in on all of these states of being. By regularly taking time with friends and colleagues to examine what´s going well and what may need attention, we can create moments to practice more self-acceptance. [10:28] The Harmful Myth of Colorblindness While there are very few individuals in the world having an easy time of it at the moment, these unpredictable hours have a disproportionate impact on people of color. Systemic racism creates a vast array of added difficulties for many members of society, from marginalization in COVID treatment and lack of proportionate access to stimulus programs to more visible concerns like police brutality. Failure to account for how these factors affect the experience of the impacted creates incomplete solutions that may even be detrimental. [17:48] Uncomfortable Conversations These topics may represent unfamiliar territory for your group or organization, but these discussions represent a necessary part of the process. Though exploring the realities of mental health in the modern world may lead to more than a few uncomfortable moments, it can be encouraging to realize that even opening a forum for discourse represents a tremendous leap forward that will helps create better mental health outcomes among your team members, and in turn a more fulfilled, productive, and confident base of talent. [19:50] Emphasizing the ¨Health¨ in Mental Health In the end, inclusion is the goal of any viable health-focused program. Mental health involves afflictions of the mind as much as cardiovascular health involves afflict...
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